FULL-DAY TRIP To MINGUN From Mandalay
Now is a time with an
abundant supply of holidays in Myanmar. For those who travel to Mandalay, there
is a day-time characterful trip to Mingun village from the cultural heritage
city.
Mingun has several
attractions – primarily, a massive, unfinished stupa Mingun Pahtodawgyi, the
world’s largest ringing Mingun Bell and a white stupa Myatheindan Pagoda.
The Sagaing Region’s
historic Mingun area can be reached from Mandalay by car, or by motorbike, or
by motorboat.
Taking an overland
trip, travellers pass through Sagaing mountain ridges that offer scenes of
monasteries, and along the Ayeyarwady River’s banks that afford a cool breeze.
On the trip, there is a popular food item, known as Khotaung rice noodle
(looking like spaghetti), which is aptly described by Khotaung village. Having
dishes of Khotaung noodle on way to Mingun looks like trying a taste of
locally-preferred food.
Apart from viewing the
traditions of villages along the banks of the River, travellers could look on a
spirulina production site.
By motorboat,
travellers take a standard boat or a chartered one at the Mayangyan jetty to
leave for Mingun.
Onboard, travellers can see commerce activities by boats in
the River and hear of the boats’ engines beating out loud quacking
rhythms.
Another chance for
those who go by boat is to enjoy seeing Ayeyarwady dolphin swim attractions.
The mammals come around there from October to May in a year.
An inland water
transport association facilitates the travel of motorboats.
In this peak season to
travel in Myanmar, both foreigners and local travellers are so bustled here,
says the association. Most foreign travellers go by boat.
The first scene upon
arrival at the Mingun village is the Mingun Pahtodawgyi and nearby damaged
parts of mythical lion images.
The construction of
the unfinished brick-base pagoda, which was planned to be 152 meters high, was
initiated by King Bodaw Phyar of Myanmar’s Konbaung Dynasty in 1790. However,
it was built up to 60 meters, enshrining 1,500 golden Buddha images and 2,534
images made of silver, in addition to 37,000 relics.
According to its
historical records, the first plinth of the pagoda tumbled down due to an
earthquake in 1838. And also, the images of a lion and a garuda (mythical king
of birds) in the front were damaged.
Bodaw Phyar the King
also built Mingun Bell the largest in the world, by assigning one of his
ministers to supervise making the 90-tonne Bell wrought from bronze and
erecting it. The bell is 8.45m high, the diameter of its orifice, 5.10m and the
thickness, 0.5m. As a variety of other minerals like gold and silver were cast
into making the bell, many people believe it brings good lucks.
Taking a walk for a
few minutes to the north of the Bell is Myatheindan Pagoda, also known as
Hsinphyumé Pagoda. It was built on a 98-m-diameter plinth in a height of 98m.
The stupa, built in 1816 and restored in 1874, is known as a replica of Sula
Mani pagoda, which pre-exists in the celestial abode of devas.
The design of the
pagoda is much different from most pagodas in Myanmar, with its seven wave-like
terraces built over and over representing seven rivers and seven mountains. Its
style is quite attractive to a wider range of foreign travellers.
What’s more, there is
a museum, which houses the belongings of the late Venerable Mingun Sayadaw.
Travellers are also offered to explore art galleries and small enterprises of
making traditional handcrafts.
Another attraction is
a big monastery built with 240 massive wood columns in the village of
Thonesé-pay. It is known for its traditional handcraft making.
Suggested: Exploring
the sights in Mingun and enjoying the panoramic views at the Sagaing Hill over
pagodas and monasteries is a must.
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