MANDALAY & IT'S SURROUNDING

Mandalay Palace

On 20 March 1945, in fierce fighting between advancing British and Indian troops and the Japanese force, the royal palace caught fire and was completely burnt out. The traditional wooden construction of Burmese palaces had often in the past led to severe damaged by fire, and this the last and most magnificent palace complex was no exception. All that remains of the palace today are the huge walls and moat, the base on which the wooden palace buildings and apartments stood, and a few masonry buildings or tombs. Mandalay Palace is immense - the walls are eight metres high and three metres thick at the bottom, tapering to 1.5 metres thick at the crenellated top, and are made of burnt brick backed by earth ramparts. Each of the four sides (the palace is a perfect square) is tow km long; the surrounding moat is 70 metres wide and over three metres deep. A channel from the Mandalay irrigation canal fills in the moat. There are three gates to the palace on each of the walls. Originally there were five bridges into the palace, four running to the main gates. Each the gates was topped by wooden pavilion, smaller pavilions stood at each corner and between the large ones - making 32 in all. Apart from some damage repaired after the war and changes made when the railway was directed through the palace grounds, the wall and its pavilions are original. Where the palace once stood there is today just a large empty on a raised plinth. Steps up to this platform flanked by cannons at the end, are all that remain of the original palace apartments. In the middle of the platform there is a modern museum with a miserable collection of assorted odds and ends.

MINGUN PAGODA & MINGUN BELL

Bodawpaya who had planned the building of the greatest pagoda in the world, died before this magnificent work was completed. However, today it is possible to see the impressive remains of its foundations, of a chinthe and the huge bell. Mingun located on the west bank of Mandalay about 11km, is a small town, the well know largest ringing bell weighing 55,555 viss (90.5Ton), which were the only part of the plan that was not carried out. A view of the life in the village, fishing laundering, bullock carts, corn fields and market boats by the banks can be seen closeup by a pleasant boat trip on the river.

SAGAING

Son of Pinya King Minnanthu known as Athinkhaya Sawyun built the Kingdom city in 1315 AD. This city situated on the northwest of Mandalay on the west bank of Ayayarwaddy Rivey about 21 km from Mandalay. There are about 6000 Monasteries and many ancient pagodas spotted on the west bank of Ayawaddy in Sagaing hills. KaungHmudaw, U Min Thoneze, Ponyashin Pagodas are main attractions in Sagaing Hill.

MONYWA

This lovely town, on the banks of the river Chindwin, lays on the picturesque little lake formed out of a volcanic eruption and lies 136km north west of Mandalay by road. The town is a major trading centre for the region agricultural produce. The impressive complex of the Thanboddhay pagoda is amazing, its brightly colored building make it wholly different from the other pagodas in the country. The figures connected to it are amazing 845 stupas, 7350 statues and almost 600,000 sacred images. The actual town is small but places of interest nearby are plentiful with the Chindwin River providing easy access for across-river excursions to ancient cave temples such as Po Win Daung.

PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO)

Myanmar's best known colonial hill station on a plateau over 1,000m above sea level, in the Shan hill. Even at the height of the hot season, Pyin Oo Lwin is pleasantly cool and at certain times of the year it can get quite chilly. Best of all, one can enjoy the fresh air of the Shan Hills. Sweater knitting is the biggest occupation in town. Getting to Pyin Oo Lwin is part of its attraction. At the half way mark you pass "View point", which was spectacular views. The standard transport around the town is miniature, inclosed wagon pulled by a pony. Another highlight is the magnificent botanical garden.

NGAPALI BEACH

Ngapali beach is located in Thandwe which is belong in Rahkine Division about an hour's flight from Yangon, the swaying palms and coconut trees shaded whit longunspoiled beach stretching over 3km along the coastline, there are not temples, this seaside retreat offers both the waves on the beach and solitude silence, also you can enjoy the splendid suntan and rich of sea food. That is an absolutely ideal place for everyone who loves sea, sand, sun or swimming. Ngapali beach opensfrom middle of November to end of June.