Mandalay Tour last part; Downtown Stroll

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Mandalay tour 2nd part; Mingun morning trip

Since I got temple-out easily and felt nothing much to do beside the fact that my budget was not enough, I decided to just stroll around outside Mandalay Palace and sight-see those locals especially the monks.

How to go to Mandalay;
I went here from Bagan via morning bus which departed at 0800H with a fare of 7,500kyat ($7.5). Travel time of 5 hours which arrived in Mandalay bus terminal at 1300H.

Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located 445 miles (716 km) north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one and half million,[3] and is the capital of Mandalay Region. Mandalay is the economic hub of Upper Burma and considered the centre of Burmese culture. Despite Naypyidaw's recent rise, Mandalay remains Upper Burma's main commercial, educational and health center. The city gets its name from the nearby Mandalay Hill. The root word has been speculated as "Mandala" (meaning, circular plains).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay

Mandalay city tour (Sandarmuni Pagoda)

Mandalay Tour 2nd part; Mingun Morning Trip

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Mandalay tour 1st part; Mandalay Hill at Night

This unexpected itinerary was just prompted when I read those bulletins posted in my hostel. Good thing I planned this as I'm lazy to stroll again for City Pagoda's; interest changed at instant.

One of the main attractions of this place is the Mingun Bell which is said to be the 2nd largest bell in the world. Cast in 1808 by King Bodawpaya to be dedicated to Mingun Pagoda which was never completed and is now a ruin. Its weight is about 90 tons, being one-third of that of Moscow and fourteen times of that in St. Paul's Basilica. Its supports were destroyed by the earthquake in 1839 and rested in ground until 1896.

How to go to Mingun;
Mingun can be reached by ferry boat which comes from Mandalay port located at the end of 26th Street with daily departures of 0900H and comes back at 1300H. Travel time is 45minutes to an hour with roundtrip fare of 5,000 kyat ($5). 

Mingun is located 11 km up the Ayeyarwady River on the west bank from Mandalay. Its main attraction is the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi. Mingun Temple is a monumental uncompleted stupa began by King Bodawpaya in 1790. It was not completed, due to an astrologer claiming that, once the temple was finished, the king would die. The completed stupa would have been the largest in the world at 150 metres (490 ft). Huge cracks are visible on the structure from the earthquake of 23 March 1839.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mingun

Mingun morning trip (the unfinished Temple)

Mandalay Tour 1st part; Mandalay Hill at Night

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Bagan day tour last part; Famous Pagoda's at night

Arriving around 1300H from Mandalay bus terminal which is located around 5 km outside downtown. I bargained a motorcycle ride for 3,000 kyat including tip for assisting to look for cheapest accommodation. I ended up in Rich Queen Guesthouse located in 87th cornet 26th street for 18,000kyat a night (aircon single room with bathroom inside). Then I went for a late lunch on the roads infront of Mandalay Palace afterwards walk myself to Mandalay Hill.

Mandalay Hill is known for its abundance of pagodas and monasteries, and has been a major pilgrimage site for Burmese Buddhists for nearly two centuries. At the top of the hill is the Sutaungpyei (literally wish-fulfilling) Pagoda. A panoramic view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay Hill alone makes it worthwhile to attempt a climb up its stairways. There are four covered stairways called saungdan leading up the hill from the south, southeast, west and north, and convenient seats of masonry work line these stairways all the way up. A one-way motor road today saves time and also makes it accessible for those who are unable to climb up the stairs, leading to an escalator and a lift to the pagoda at the summit. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay_Hill

How to go to Mandalay Hill;
Mandalay Hill is located in downtown and just meters away from Mandalay Palace. Entrance fee is 1,000 kyat ($1), open from 0700H until 2000H. 200 kyat charge for safekeeping your footwear at the entrance dome.

Mandalay city self-guided tour (Mandalay Hill at night)