A Land of Faith: Mandalay, Bagan, Sky, Mingun, Ava - Four Days, Three Nights Adventure

Hello, good morning.

For this trip, we traveled with Thai AirAsia to Mandalay, Myanmar, with a cross-year promotion ticket. There were 19 of us in total. Before the trip, we contacted a Burmese tour guide named Sang (email: [email protected] Line: Ocean Myanmar Tour) to arrange the tour for us. We were able to communicate with Sang in Thai. You can type in Thai.

This is the itinerary that Mr. Saeng sent to you.

Day 1: Bangkok - Mandalay - Bagan

12:20 PM: Arrival at Mandalay Airport, followed by lunch at Tom YanKoong (Thai cuisine).

The journey to Bagan takes approximately 4.30 hours by car, arriving at around 6:00 PM.

Enjoy Nanta cuisine (a fusion of Thai and Burmese food) before heading to your accommodation.

Day 2: Bagan - Mandalay

7:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel - Visit the historic Puket Market.

Pay homage to Shwezigon Pagoda, Alodawpyae Pagoda, Dhammayangyi Temple, Ananda Temple, and Manuha Temple.

Lunch - River view dining (Chinese + Thai)

Afternoon - Visit Kyaik Khauk Gyi Pagoda, then pay homage to the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, admire the Dhammayangyi Temple, and the Shwesandaw Pagoda.

14:00: Depart for Mandalay. Estimated arrival time: 18:00. Upon arrival in Mandalay, enjoy a delicious Tom Yum Koong (Thai cuisine).

Enter My World Hotel.

Day 3: Ava – Sagaing – Mingun – Mandalay

07:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a journey to Mingun. Explore the magnificent Maha Theingdan Pagoda, the colossal Mingun Pagoda, and the awe-inspiring Mingun Bell.

Lunch: Myanata (Chinese + Burmese)

Ascend Mount Sky to the Sun Upagupta Pagoda.

Then take a boat to Ava, Pakanga Temple, and Aungmyebonzan Monastery.

Visit the U Bein Bridge and enjoy dinner at Golden Duck (Chinese restaurant).

Enter My World Hotel

Day 4 Mandalay – Bangkok

4:00 AM: Paying respects to the Phra Maha Muni Buddha statue.

06:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Afterwards, embark on a journey to explore the magnificent Mandalay Palace, the revered Shwe Kyaung Temple, and the awe-inspiring Kuthodaw Pagoda.

Travel to Mandalay Airport

12:50 p.m. Departed safely for Bangkok.

Ready to travel together now.

The journey from Don Mueang Airport to Mandalay Airport takes approximately 1.5 hours. After clearing immigration, we were greeted by Mr. Saeng, our guide. As we followed him to the bus, we couldn't help but wonder about its condition. To our relief, a red 33-seater bus awaited us. The air conditioning was a welcome comfort, and with only 19 passengers on board, we each had a seat to ourselves, making for a very comfortable ride.

Departing from the airport, we entered Mandalay city for lunch at a Thai restaurant called Tom Yum Goong. The two aunts who own the restaurant are originally from Ang Thong and have been working there until they have their own restaurant.

After a satisfying meal, we embarked on a journey to Bagan by car. The trip from Mandalay to Bagan took approximately 4.30 hours, and the road conditions were excellent throughout the route.

The guide stopped on the side of the road after a short drive and offered us some watermelon. The watermelons here are huge, and they reminded me of my childhood. Back then, watermelons in our country were also this big and tasted good, but they weren't as cold and refreshing as the ones here. The guide told us that they don't use any artificial sweeteners here.

After enjoying some watermelon, we embarked on a long drive to Bagan. The checkpoints along the way were numerous, requiring us to pay entrance fees for villages and towns. Our guide couldn't help but express his frustration at the abundance of checkpoints.

We arrived in Bagan at around 6:30 PM after a long car ride. Our guide took us to Nanta Restaurant, which serves Burmese-style Chinese cuisine. The restaurant also features a puppet show, which we enjoyed while we ate.

The first night we stayed at The Floral Breeze Hotel Bagan, located in the New Bangan area. The first day was spent traveling, but we survived. The tour was cheap, the car was good, the hotel was good, the food was good, the tour group was happy, and the tour contact person survived without being scolded.

On the second day of the journey, we woke up at five in the morning, had breakfast at six, and started driving at seven.

Our first stop was a visit to the market. The market here is a fresh market that sells vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The vegetables here are very large. We found eggplants the size of coconuts.

Continuing our journey, we headed to the Shwezigon Pagoda, one of the five most sacred sites in Myanmar. Along the way, we encountered a procession of glass balls for boys and an ear-piercing ceremony for girls. The music was lively and festive.

As mentioned earlier, this is one of the five most revered places of worship in Burma. Therefore, it is always crowded with both Burmese people and tourists.

This temple is known for its distinctive features, including: a pagoda, statues of a father and son king for blessings related to health and finances, and an old umbrella for blessings related to commerce.

This is a reflection of the pagoda. Looking down into the water, you can see the inverted top of the pagoda, as shown in the picture.

Bagan is a city of pagodas. To visit all of them would take several days. However, as we only had one day in Bagan, our guide took us to see only the most famous pagodas. This photo shows the Alodawpyae Pagoda. I don't remember the history and significance of this pagoda because I was still sleepy and my battery wasn't fully charged at that time.

The history and significance of the Jeti Tilomilo are unclear. However, it is known that the pagoda is a popular tourist destination with a wide variety of goods for sale.

Wat Anan, a temple with four Buddha statues, one of which appears to frown when viewed up close but smiles when viewed from afar.

The Manuha Temple was built by King Manuha, a Mon king who was captured and taken prisoner in Burma. The temple is very narrow, but it contains a large reclining Buddha statue and three other large Buddha statues that are crowded together. This reflects the king's frustration and anger. The temple was given the name "Wat Phra Phuttha Rup Uat" (Temple of the Crowded Buddha Images) by the Thai people.

In fact, not far from here, there is a pagoda where King Manuha was imprisoned, but I didn't go there.

Lunchtime Delights and Burmese Lacquerware

After a morning of exploration, our guide led us to a delightful lunch at River View, a restaurant serving Burmese-style Chinese cuisine. We savored our meal while enjoying the scenic views of the Irrawaddy River.

Following lunch, we embarked on a quintessential tour activity: a visit to a lacquerware factory. Here, we witnessed the intricate process of crafting these beautiful and intricate objects. The factory also offered a selection of lacquerware for purchase, though the prices were undeniably steep.

Fortunately, the establishment provided free Wi-Fi, allowing us to escape the heat and connect with the rest of the group while we waited.

The next highlight of Bagan is a visit to the Shwesandaw Pagoda, a forest of pagodas best viewed at sunrise or sunset when the weather is pleasant. However, with only one day in Bagan, we visited the pagoda in the afternoon heat, climbing barefoot up the pagodas, which offered a different kind of experience. Despite the heat, the beauty of the site was undeniable.

To admire the forest pagoda, we must climb the stairs to the top. The height of the stairs can be seen in the first picture. It is quite a climb.

The time was around two in the afternoon. After checking the time, we told the guide that we could only visit one more place because we didn't want to arrive in Mandalay too late. If we left at two in the afternoon, we would arrive in Mandalay around six thirty, which would be a good time. So the guide took us to the last place in Bagan, the Dhammayangyi Temple.

The guide explained that this temple has no spire because the person who built it did so to atone for the sin of killing his father and brother in order to become king. However, his father and brother refused to forgive him. Therefore, the temple cannot have a spire.

The picture shows wooden mobiles hanging from trees. These mobiles are sold by Burmese children who speak English. If you are visiting, please consider supporting them. They are very talkative and friendly.

After finishing here, we took a long 4.30-hour car ride to eat tom yum goong again, but this time it was shabu and moo kata.

The second day ended, and we spent the night at the Hotel My World, a three-star hotel with decent cleanliness. We slept comfortably.

On the third day of the trip, we woke up at 5:00 am. The hotel's dining room is on the 5th floor. We had breakfast while watching the sunrise.

The bus took us to the pier at 7 am to board a boat for a trip to Mingun. Personally, I don't enjoy boat trips very much, as I find the scenery on the water to be quite repetitive. During the boat ride, children approached us selling various items, mainly jade necklaces, pictures, and postcards. After about an hour on the boat, we arrived in Mingun, which was very dusty.

The first thing I saw was the silk floss tree and its flowers. I have been eating ngiao soup noodles since I can remember, but this was the first time I had ever seen a real silk floss tree and its flowers.

The guide led us to see the Phraya Thienrattanadol Chedi (the guide pronounced it in a Burmese accent as "Maha Theingdan"), which was built in 1786 to serve as a symbolic representation of...

The Chulamani Pagoda, perched atop Mount Meru, is believed in Buddhist cosmology to be the center of the universe, surrounded by seven mountain ranges and seven oceans. This magnificent structure stands as a testament to the enduring love of the Ava royal family. King Bagyidaw commissioned its construction as a memorial to his beloved queen, Shinbyume, who passed away before his ascension to the throne. Though not built of marble like the Taj Mahal, it has earned the moniker "Taj Mahal of the Irrawaddy River."

The red stains you see are betel nut juice, commonly found on the ground and streets. Avoiding them requires individual skill.

Minkin is a small village where all tourist attractions are within walking distance. On the way to the Mingun Bell, there are vendors selling goods and Burmese children who will try to befriend you, chatting and making you feel important in the hope of receiving a tip. However, they are polite and friendly, and their persistence is not annoying.

The Mingun Bell: A Monumental Legacy

The Mingun Bell, commissioned by King Bodawpaya as an offering to the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, stands as a testament to the king's ambition and the ingenuity of Burmese craftsmanship. With a circumference of 10 meters, a height of 3.70 meters, and a weight of 87 tons, it is a true giant among bells. Legend has it that King Bodawpaya, determined to ensure the bell's uniqueness, ordered the execution of its creators upon its completion. This act, while shrouded in mystery, speaks to the king's desire to leave an unparalleled mark on history.

The Mingun Pagoda, a testament to King Bodawpaya's ambition, was constructed after his successful campaign against Arakan, which resulted in the relocation of the Mahamuni Buddha image to Mandalay. Inspired by his military victories, the king embarked on an ambitious expansionist campaign, mobilizing a vast workforce to construct the Mingun Pagoda, also known as the Emperor's Pagoda. The pagoda was intended to house the Buddha's tooth relic, obtained from the Chinese emperor, and rival the grandeur of the Bagan pagodas and surpass the Phra Pathom Chedi in Siam, then the tallest pagoda in Southeast Asia.

As a result, 50,000 Arakanese or Rakhine slaves fled forced labor and sought refuge in Bengal, a British-controlled territory. They then organized themselves into a rebel force, which ultimately contributed to Burma's downfall.

However, the pagoda was never completed, and only the base remains, suggesting that it would have been a magnificent and imposing structure had it been finished.

It's lunchtime! Today, we're enjoying a Shan-style buffet lunch, which is similar to northern Thai cuisine. The buffet features dishes like Hang Lay curry, pickled mustard greens, and stir-fried vegetables. For 4,000 kyats, Burmese locals can enjoy a single serving, while tourists can indulge in unlimited refills for 8,000 kyats (approximately $3).

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After a delicious meal, our guide took us to Sky Hill to enjoy the panoramic view from the Sun Upagga Shin Pagoda on the summit. Please note that a camera fee of 300 kyats is applicable at this temple.

The atmosphere here is similar to Khao Wang, and of course, every temple that is a tourist attraction must have a place to sell things. It's more comfortable because the sun is very hot.

The scorching afternoon heat, reaching its peak at 1 pm, made it difficult to fully appreciate the breathtaking scenery. Visiting the viewpoint during the cooler hours of sunset is highly recommended. After descending from Mount Sky, we embarked on a lengthy drive to the port of Ava. The scenic route offered stunning views.

To explore the city of Inwa, we had to take a ferry across the river and then board a horse-drawn carriage. Each carriage could accommodate two people. The dust was very thick here, so the tour guide gave each of us a cloth mask to protect ourselves from the dust.

Riding in a horse-drawn carriage, we arrived at an ancient temple made of teak wood, shrouded in dust. Known as Wat Pakka Yai, it was constructed by King Bayinnaung in 1834. The structure is supported by an impressive 267 teak pillars.

After a relaxing visit to the temple, we continued our journey by horse-drawn carriage. As we rode, the driver slowed down to allow us to take pictures of the Ava Watchtower, which was part of the royal palace.

Built in 1822 for the purpose of observing enemy movements, the tower tilted after the 1838 earthquake. It was subsequently restored to its original structure.

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The next destination is Maha Aungmye Bonzan Temple, built by Queen Menoo, the wife of King Bagyidaw. This temple is similar in style to Angkor Wat, as it was built by Khmer artisans.

After visiting the tourist attractions in Inwa, we took a boat back to the bus to continue our journey to see the U Bein Bridge.

And of course, every famous tourist spot has to have a place to shop for a little something. I heard that the Royal Myanmar Tea Mix is delicious.

I saw a sign for this and decided to try it, but no shops were selling it. However, in the evening after checking into my hotel, a shop next to the hotel was selling it for 2,750 kyats (about 100 baht) per pack. One large pack contains 30 small sachets. The taste is sweet and fragrant, and it's quite delicious.

After visiting several scenic spots at the wrong time, we finally arrived at the U Bein Bridge as the sun was setting. The atmosphere was serene, and the air was refreshingly cool.

According to previous research, this bridge was once home to Ayutthaya prisoners. However, all I saw were vendors; I didn't see any houses. Afterwards, the tour guide took us to the Golden Duck restaurant for dinner. This restaurant serves Chinese cuisine, and I must say, it was the most delicious meal of the entire trip.

Tonight, we will sleep at the same hotel. Upon leaving the hotel, turn right and walk straight ahead. Cross the street, and you will find a wholesale store where you can purchase tea or Thanaka at reasonable prices.

On the final morning of the trip, we woke up at 3:00 AM to witness the Mahamuni Buddha's face-washing ceremony, which begins at 4:00 AM. The guide informed us that during the winter, when the weather is cooler, the ceremony starts at 4:30 AM due to the abbot sleeping in later. The face-washing ceremony lasts approximately two hours.

We also worshiped the face-wiping cloth for 1,000 kip each, and the guide distributed the water used in the ceremony for us to take home to worship or to rub on our faces for good luck.

During the ceremony, the villagers' strong faith was palpable. Despite the early morning start and the lingering drowsiness, a sense of inexplicable joy permeated the atmosphere.

At approximately six o'clock in the morning, we returned to our hotel to attend to personal matters and enjoy breakfast. At seven o'clock, we continued our city tour of Mandalay.

The first place we visited was the Mandalay Palace. This photo was taken while the guide went to buy tickets. He said that it was okay to take pictures, but not of the soldiers on guard, as it might not be safe.

It is understood that the Mandalay Palace is likely located within a military zone, as there is a significant military presence and abundant greenery in the area.

Initially, we were hesitant to visit the palace, as it is a replica of the original, which was destroyed during World War II. Our previous experience at the Palace of Bayinnaung in Hongsawade had left us underwhelmed. However, upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised by the beauty and grandeur of the palace, with its numerous pavilions and structures.

This photograph depicts the last king and queen of Burma, King Thibaw Min and Queen Supayalat. According to our guide, King Thibaw was originally a monk, but Queen Supayalat, desiring power, courted him and elevated him to the throne. The queen then proceeded to eliminate potential rivals by burying princes alive within the palace walls, thus consolidating her authority. Queen Supayalat is often referred to as the "Cixi of Burma" due to her ruthless tactics.

The Mystery of Queen Suriyothai: Separating Fact from Fiction

The story of Queen Suriyothai, a legendary figure in Thai history, has captivated audiences for centuries. However, separating fact from fiction surrounding her life and death remains a complex task.

While popular accounts often portray the Queen as a fierce warrior who died defending her husband on the battlefield, historical evidence suggests a more nuanced narrative. Recent research indicates that Suriyothai was likely too young to have participated in the battle and that English soldiers, not the Queen, were responsible for the deaths of the princes.

Furthermore, accounts of Suriyothai's capture and subsequent death in India and Burma lack concrete historical support. These details appear to be embellishments added later, possibly to enhance the Queen's heroic image.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding her demise, Queen Suriyothai remains a powerful symbol of courage and sacrifice in Thai culture. Her story continues to inspire and provoke critical analysis, reminding us of the importance of examining historical narratives with a discerning eye.

(Apologies for any errors. All information was obtained from tour guides and Google searches.)

We then continued our journey to the Shwenandaw Monastery, also known as the Golden Palace Monastery among Thai people. This monastery, built in 1880 during the reign of King Thibaw, served as a residence for monks.

The sentence translates to:

Using materials from the relocation of the golden urn of King Mindon, who passed away at this temple, which is an ancient temple that was not burned during the war.

No text provided for translation.

The Kuthodaw Pagoda: A Literary Treasure Trove

The final stop on our journey is the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a magnificent structure commissioned by King Mindon in 1857. Inspired by the Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan, this impressive monument houses a unique collection of Buddhist scriptures.

The central stupa, known as the Maha Lawka Marazein, stands tall at 30 meters. Its base is adorned with 729 stone slabs, each inscribed with the entire Pali Canon, the sacred texts of Theravada Buddhism. These inscriptions, meticulously crafted in gold-leaf Burmese script, represent the culmination of the Fifth Buddhist Council.

The Kuthodaw Pagoda stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Buddhist scholarship and the meticulous preservation of religious texts. Its vast collection of inscribed scriptures offers a glimpse into the rich history and profound wisdom of Theravada Buddhism.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

At this temple, we had the opportunity to meet a group of Thai monks. We sat and listened to them chant for quite some time, but we had to leave before they finished because it was time for us to go.

It takes about 1 hour to travel from Mandalay city to the airport. There is also Wi-Fi available at the airport.

Greetings from Burma. I hope we have the opportunity to meet again. I didn't have enough time to explore Bagan.