Monywa and Places of Interest Nearby
Would you like to visit a typical unspoilt Myanmar town not far from the tourist tract? If you do, you should go to Monywa, a thriving, picturesque town in the Chindwin River, only a three hours’ drive from Mandalay. Monywa is only 84 miles northwest from Mandalay, across the Ayeyawaddy River and lies on the plain between this river and her main tributary, the Chindwin. During the Myanmar king’s time Monywa remained just a bog village as the administrative centre for the region was at Ahlon. It was only a year after the Annexation of 1886 that Monywa became the Headquarters of the lower Chindwin District.
Sightseeing Highlights include : With only one full day to spare, the most popular option is to visit Hpo Win Taung caves followed by Thanboddhay and Bodi Tahtaung. The latter is west-facing and so is best seen in afternoon sunlight.
Thanboddhay Pagoda : The pagoda was started on 20 June, 1939 and completed on 2 March 1952. There are many different Buddha images, rows and rows in ascending tiers in niches along the walls: the total number is 582,257, and amazing figure! You can study and take photos of the 20 tagundaing, huge decorated pillars, and also big masonry fruits in the shape of bunches of bananas and cononut, water melon, mangos, jackfruits, papaya and so on. These fruits are also objects of veneration for the local farmers.
Bodhitathaung Temple and Po Win Taung caves :
Another 5m miles (8km) east from Thanboddhay, the name of this vast hillside Buddha-rama translates as ‘1000 buddhas’. There you will see more unusual sights not found in other parts of Myanmar. Bodihitathaung Temple-over sitting Buddha image Bodhi trees (Ficus religiosa).You can travel by boat across the river to Po Win Taung caves, with over 400,000 ancient Buddha images and statues and murals dating from the 14th to the 16th century. Tame monkeys abound and can be fed by visitors.
Mandalay- Monywa
In the morning, you will proceed to Monywa (140km, 03 hour drive). On the way enjoy the life of the rural area and visit the Mohnyin Than Buddhay temple- over 500,000 Buddha images are seated. Then continue to the visit of a religious sanctuary impressing Bodhitathaung Temple- over sitting Buddha images under Bodhi tress ( Ficus religiosa), one of the biggest lying Buddha ( more than 100m of length) and excursion to Kyaukka lacquer ware village. Overnight at hotel in Monywa.
Monywa – Bagan (via Pakokku)
After breakfast, visit of the underground cave and the Buddha carved in the rock sandstone of the site of Po Win Taung caves, peaceful and interesting place. Then transfer to the harbor of Pakokku (140km/03 hr) by car and proceed to Bagan by private boat in the Irrawaddy stream (02hr). Arrived to Bagan, transfer to hotel and take a rest as your own. Overnight in Bagan.
