Kyeik Hti Yo is located approximated 160 Kilo meter from Yangon. It is very famous attraction place of Mon States. The Pagoda is famous for it way of amazingly standing on the gilded Rock precariously hovering at the edge of the hill over 3615ft above sea level.
You can still see that those two rocks are not joined with any human work or any natural things. You can still shake the top of the Rock and you can see easily it is rocking.
Famous Pagoda is built in Myanmar Era 118 ( approx. 574 B.C). The Rock with Pagoda has 50ft diameter and that Rock is perched from the based Rock for 4ft.
A Place that you must experience yourself. You cannot say – you have been to Myanmar if you have not visited Mandalay.
Madalay, the last Royal Capital of Myanmar Kingdom was founded by King Mindon in 1857. King Mindon is the King who is remembered and honoured by his magnificent idea to keep the Buddhist Scripture in stone slabs which remain up to day and known as world’s biggest book (Ref. Greenwich World’s Record). As per records, King Mindon convened 2400 monks for 6 months to deliberate and agree to get one unique authorized version. It took 8 years to inscribe the marble slabs with 5000 masons. The completion work done of Row after row of white pagodas each contains a marble slabs inscribed on both side the Tripitaka (Buddhist Scriptures). King Mindone also held the completion ceremony by reading the whole work was read aloud without a Pause.
City is founded at the foot of Mandalay Hill where has the legend that Buddha visited and prophesied. City has 4 Rivers flowing around – Ayeyarwady, Matayar, Dotehtawady and Myit Nge.
Geographically, City is surrounded and bordered by hill connecting with Shan Hill in the east, Ayeyarwaddy River in the west, Dote Hta Wady River in the South, Matayar River in the North.
Mandalay has the Royal palace which is the One and Only Palace in the World till to day, founded and built with 4 equal and square shape moats filled with water in all seasons along the walls. The Mandalay Palace and its walls, gates, moat and bridges can bee seen till today even though the whole magnificent palace was destroyed by fire and also by bombs of Allied Troops to Japanese during World War II.
Being as the Royal Capital, Mandalay has Rich Culture heritages from ancient Myanmar Kingdoms especially in Arts & Crafts - Tapestry, Gold-leave making ( In these workshops, you will see the ancient ways challenging against modern methods and technology amazingly to make 0.001milimeter thick gold leave from 24 caret solid cubes of gold using deer leather, ion hammer, stone foot, water clocking, etc..), Traditional Dancing and Music instruments, Bronze Moldings and Coppersmith, Silk Weaving, Gold embroidery and Glass Mosaic.
*** note : Hight lighted paragraph to also shown separately for extracts places to visit.
Mandalay is still a leading and also unique place for Silk Weaving – Lun Yar Kyaw Chaik ( A Classic Silk weaving in unique traditional way of designs and way of weaving. Myanmar peoples are still so proud to wear Lun Yar Kyaw Chaik at Ceremonies. Normally, lun yar kyaw chaik is expensive and priced depending on the different shuttles they have to use during making it. Meaning of Lun Yar Kyaw is more than hundred of shuttles. It takes months to finish one piece – 2 yards of Lun Yar Kyaw. High Classed peoples have to order in months to wear to get good designs and colour.), Stone Sculpture, Marble works, Gold leave and Silver leave, and Glass Mosaic.
Mandalay is also standing as a leading City where the country’s famous Traditional Dance and Music Artist were produced and emerged ( To check the wording).
In Religion, most of the Buddhist Monks reside in Mandalay as Mandalay is the heart of Religion and Cultural of Myanmar.
The location - Central of the Country make the City an important place like junction point or a hub - connect to all parts of the country and also to neighbour countries like China and India in various ways of transportation.
After more than 150 years, Mandalay remains as upper country’s main gateway and also a commercial city.
Mandalay is the populated city in the country and it has been filled with Migrants since the King’s time. Most of the Migrants are from Yunan Province, China. Mandalay International Airport, Second Largest Airport in Myanmar has direct flight routes to China and Thailand.
At Mandalay Royal Palace, you can find the all the amazing Buildings ( Example – Old Watched Tower) and Myanmar architecture wooden complex with highly ornamented and gold - gilded halls used by Myanmar Kings and also the Swimming Pool that Only High Ranking Royal Family used and the Glass Palace that is build and used by King Thibaw ( the Last King of Myanmar).
The Tomb of this Magnificent City Founder, King Mindon exist still at the inside of Mandalay Royal Palace.
Places to See :
- Mandalay Hill
- Mandalay Palace
- Shwenandaw Monastery ( Golden Palace Monastery)
- Maha Muni Pagoda
- Kuthodaw Pagoda
- Kyauktawgyi Pagoda
- Buddha’s Replica Tooth Relic Pagoda
- Atumashi Monastery ( The Incomparable)
- Thudamhar Zayat ( Public Houses for preaching the Doctrines)
- Sandar Muni
- Ma Ha Law Ka Marazaine
- Gold Leav Making Work Shop
- Silk – Lun Yar Kyaw Weaving loon work shops
- Stone Sculpture, Marble Work, Stone Scripting, Stonemasons
- Tapestry work shop
- Gold embroidery work shops
Places Around the City :
Amarapura, Innwa ( Ava), Saggaing, Mingun, Monywa, Pyin Oo Lwin @ May Myo
•Mawlamyaing
Mawlamyaing formerly Spelled and known as Moulmein is the Capital of Mon States and also one of the Major City of Myanmar. It is a main trading point and also seaport of South eastern Myanmar Country.
It is located on the Gulf of Martaban behind the island of at the Last Gate or the Mouth of Thanlwin River flows into Andaman sea. ( to check)
Mawlamyaing is very famous for its rich in Fruits and also for its unique way of cooking. In Myanmar there is saying “ Mandalay is for speaking, Yangon is for Boasting, Mawlamyaing is for eating”. Here, mentioning Mandalay, Yangon and Mawlamyaing meant for native peoples from those cities. Mandalay peoples are very good in speaking ( politness, cleverness, wise, education, etc.), Yangon peoples are very good in boasting. Mawlamyaing people are very good in eating (their way of cooking is giving best results of any dishes they make to taste the best. Therefore, they know how to eat good things. Good eater knows good food).
Mawlamying is the hub of south eastern Myanmar connecting Road or railway to Hpa- An, Karan State, Dawei ( capital of Tanintharyi Division), Myeik and Kawthaung ( Victoria Cape ) the southern point of Country. It is also connecting Road to Bago and to Yangon from where can reach to all over country.
Mawlamyaing has become more prominent after the construction of longest road and rail bridge named Thanlwin Bridge. That Bridge is also become Landmark of the area. Now, it takes only a few hours drive from Yangon to reach Mawlamyaing.
Mawlamying produces Teak, Rice, Rubber, and Tropical Fruits like Mango, Durains, Mangosteen, Pineapple, Rambutan, and Cashew.
Place of Interest
- Kyaikthanlan is the Tallest and most visible pagoda of City
- Mahamyatmuni ( Typical Mon Style Building with walkways linking to many other buildings)
- Zi ina man aung
- Mon Cultureal Museum
- Seidon Minbaya Kyaung – A Monastery where Last Kone Baung Dynesty’s King Mindon’s Queen required refugee after the last monarch. Seidon is the name of that Queen.
- Aung Theikdi Zedi
- U Khan Ti Paya
- U Zina Paya
- Kaladan Mosque,
- Moghul Shah Mosque,
- Sulati Mosque
Place around Mawlamyaing
- Setse Beach
- Kyaik Ka Mi Beach
- Kyaik Ka Mi Yay Lal Pagoda ( metal roofed complex perched over the sea. It can be reached by a long 2 level walkway. Lower level is covered by sea during high tide.)
- Kyaik Maraw Pagoda built by Queen Shinsaw Pu around 1455.
- Than-byu-za-yat
Mingun is located on the Westen Bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. Approximately 11km ( 7 miles) up river from Mandalay. It takes about 45mins to drive.
Mingun is famous as a place where you can find the World’s Largest Ringing Bell. Moreover, Mingun has many famous Places of Religious places and also the Historical and Cultural Monuments.
Mingun Bell – World’s Largest Ringing Bell
Mingun Bell made of Bronze with inserted gold and silver, and weight 55,555 Viss. ( 1 viss = 3.6lbs , 1 viss = 1.63 Kg) measuring 90.55 MT and approximately 200 US Tons. This grate Bell is finished on 28th April 1808 and it is a dedication of King Bodawpaya. The Bell is 13ft tall.
Mingun Paya ( Pahtodawgyi)
This is also one of the famous place around the world. The unfinished building of Mingun Pahtodawgyi would have been the largest pagoda if it have been completed.
The Pagoda was built by King Bodawpaya in 1791 with the intention to worship this pagoda from his throne ascended place – Shwebo.
That is the reason that the pagoda is still remaining as the largest brick based in the world even though it had been badly damaged by the earthquake in 1838. The base is 256 sq-ft and one side of Pagoda is 150ft.
The Pagoda was left unfinished when King passed away.
You can also find the huge Lion statues at the stairway of Pahtodawgyi Pagoda facing to Ayeyarwaddy Ricer.
Myatheindan Pagoda (Hsinbyume Pagoda)
This pagoda is built by King Bagyidaw in 1816. King Bagyidaw become King after 3 years as he succeeded Bodawpaya.
This Pagoda is built in the shape of Sulamani Pagoda which is stated in Buddhist Scripting says it stands at the top of Mount Meru ( May Yu Taung) as per the way of Buddhist cosmos.
This pagoda was also badly attached by earthquake in 1838. However, King Mindon – founder of Mandalay Palace restored in 1874.
Myatheindan Pagoda is also known as Hsinbyume Pagoda. Hsinbyume is the the name of Senior Wife to King Bagyidaw who is herself the Princess.
Daw Oo Zun Home for Ages
This Home for ages is proudly standing for 95 years as the first home for the ages established in Myanmar and especially the founder is a Myanmar Woman.
Mingun Monastery
This is the Monastery where Guinness Book recored- one of the Most Intelligent Men in the world, Sayadaw U Viseitta Vivamsa winner of Tipitaka Title resided.
Acient City from 15th century of Rakhine Kingdom. It is also known for its huge and firm types of Temples with wall paintings and stone carvings. Most famous and Interesting Places are :
- Mahamuni Shrine ( approx. 30 Km) from Mrauk – U
- Shitthaung Pagoda ( 80,000 Pagoda) most famous for its grand architechture. Height 86ft, Wide 124ft, and Length 160. Kind Va Gyi shrined the 80,000 Buddha Status made out of Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, and precious stones and jewels bring from West Myittzima.
- Dukkanthein Pagoda
- Andawthein Shrine
- Visali Pagoda ( 5 miles from Mrauk U. Located at Visali Old Palace. Pagoda is aged 1600 years. It is carved amazingly from One Huge Stone).
- Visali Old Palace Hill
