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 MANDALAY
Location
The last capital of Myanmar kings, 668 km north of Yangon. Built
in 1857 by King Mindon; now the second largest city, rich in
cultural heritage.
How to get there
Just over an hour’s daily flight from Yangon to Mandalay
International Airport. About 14 hours by train, 12 hours by
express or by car.
Where to stay and where to dine
Mandalay Swan hotel, Silver swan hotel, Nadi Myanmar Hotel,
Sedona Hotel, Mandalay Hill Resort. Meals; Chinese food, Thai
food, Shan food and Myanmar food.
Why so special
Mandalay Hill, 230 metres in elevation, commands a panoramic
view of the city: Mandalay Palace with its brick walls, gates
and moat; Shwenandaw Monastery, a magnificent building dating
back to 1879; Mahamuni Pagoda built by King Bodawpaya in 1784
has the Great Buddha Image, and Kuthadaw Pagoda (built in 1868)
where there is the “World’s Biggest Book” in 729 marble slabs
with the Buddha’s Teachings inscribed on them.
Mandalay Museum, Zegyo Market and Silk Weaving Cottage Industry
are among other places worth visiting.
 SAGAING
A town 21 km to the south west of Mandalay , and on the west bank of the
Ayeyarwady River ; 30 minutes’ drive from Mandalay .The Sagaing Hills, a retreat
for some 6,000 monks and nuns, are dotted with white-washed pagoda and have more
than 500 monasteries . Soon-U-Ponyashin Pagoda, Kaunghmudaw Pagoda and Ywahtaung
Village (home of the silversmiths’ guilds) are there for sightseeing.
PYIN OO LWIN
 Pyin Oo Lwin was originally a Shan-Danu village but after 1885, it was occupied
by the British occupying forces. Then, the village transformed and renamed as
Maymyo (the city of May) named after British officer May who was stationed here
to defeat the Burmese rebellions. In 1896, it became a hill station for the
European civil servant stationed in Mandalay during the hottest months, from
March through May. Today, a number of residents built in Edwardian style summer
cottages are still standing. Although 70-km and only 1.5hr drive from Mandalay,
Pyin Oo Lwin is a refreshing antidote to the hot, dusty and hectic streets of
Myanmar’s last royal capital.
MOGOK
 Location
Widely known as Ruby Land or Gems City ,about 1,353 km from
Yangon or
7hrs’ drive from Mandalay.
Where to stay and where to dine
Mogoke Hotel
Why so specialThe town is built round the bank of Myole-in, a large midtown
lake in a magnificent valley formed by pagoda-studded
mountains, about 2,640 feet above sea-level. Spectacular sights
include Chanthagyi Pagoda and Kaungmudaw Pagoda, which is the
same in shape but much smaller than the Pagoda of that Sagaing.
Another Pagoda standing on the top of the hill is Kyaukpyathat.
Yet another important pagoda to pay homage to if you are a
Buddhist , or just to see and stay if you are not ,Is Than-ma-thanboddaw
Pagoda where Buddha images are keep under lock and key in its
basement, richly studded with real rubies and emeralds.
Another sight worth visiting is Pingutaung or Spider Mountain
with its legendary “gaint spider keeping watch over the biggest
ruby in the world”.
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