3-Day Monywa Environs and Hanlin UNESCO Heritage site Tour from Mandalay

Day-1:

You will be picked up from your hotel in Mandalay ~07:30-08:00 hour, and drive to Monywa on the eastern bank of Chindwin River. Check in and drop off bags at the hotel in Monwya.

We will explore Hpowin Taung (Powin Taung) and Shwe Ba Taung on the western bank of Chindwin River. Hpowin Taung is an extra ordinary Buddhist cave complex that contains 947 sandstone caves dug out of the hill and contain many carved Buddha images and well preserved mural paintings of geometric pattern and Jataka stories (ancient Buddhist history) in vivid colors dated between 14th and 18th centuries. It has been claimed by archaeologist to be the the riches collection of mural paintings and Buddha statues in South East Asia.

We will continue to Mohnyin Thanboddhay, temple with a unique shape in the whole of Myanmar resembling Boroburdur in Indonesia. We will then continue to Mahar Bodhi Tataung Laykyun Setkyar Pagoda which houses the second largest reclining Buddha in Myanmar, the site has one thousand Bodhi trees and each tree has a large Buddha image underneath. We will then proceed to Shwe Gu Ni pagoda which is famous among locals for its wish-fulfilling powers and Kyaukka Village which is well known for pre-Chaing Mai style lacquer ware since Konbaung era. Typical black and gold lacquer wares of Kyaukkar are heavier and more refined and artistic than Bagan lacquer wares. Overnight in Monywa.

Day-2:

We will drive to Shwe Bo, explore old city moat and Shwe Bon Yadana which was once part of of King’s Alaungpaya’s 1753 palace. Visit archaeological sites in Halin, a Pyu Ancient city and the UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow the unpaved ox-cart tracks among incredible plethora of decaying old stupa in Hanlin Village for a good opportunity to see real local ways of life and the hot spring. Overnight in Shwe Bo.

Day-3:

We will drive to Kyaukmyaung, famous for its distinctive glazed pottery. Visit the pottery cottage industry and drive back to Mandalay aim to arrive at your hotel in afternoon. Optional boat ride from Kyaukmyaung to Mandalay for possible sighting of Ayeyerwaddy Dolphin on the segment of the Ayeyerwaddy River between Kyaukmyaung and Mingun.

NOTE:

Upon client’s request, the orders of the tour can be rearrange from Mandalay to Kyaukmyaung, ShweBo, Hanlin and to end in Monywa (or) to start in Monywa and ends in Mandalay at no extra charge.