Sights Near Mandalay, February 2014

Our driver Joshua picked us up early in the morning at our hotel. First we visited the Mahagandayon Monastery then the Shwe Sin Tai Silkwear factory. Each of those are covered in seperate albums. In this album will show you the sights west of the Irrawaddy, Sagaing Hill and Mingun then back across the river to Inwa and finally Mandalay Hill at sunset. It was a full day!

We are about to cross the Yadanabon Bridge over to the west side of the Irrawaddy River. This bridge was built by a Chinese company in 2008. The original "Inwa Bridge" was built by the British in 1934. It is still in use also, built can no longer handle the weight of big trucks.
Asia Ayeyarwady Bridge Burma Irrawaddy Bridge Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Yadanabon Bridge Yadanar Pone Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Looking west across the Irrawaddy towards Sagaing Hill, our destination.
Asia Ayeyarwady Bridge Burma Irrawaddy Bridge Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Yadanabon Bridge Yadanar Pone Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The outside of Umin Thounzeh.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The shrine is cut into a cave on Sagaing Hill.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
One of the Buddha images at Umin Thounzeh.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Umin Thounzeh (literally 30 Caves) is one of the more distinctive complexes on the main hilltop, a colorful crescent-shaped colonnade within which there are 45 Buddha images.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Standing buddha, Umin Thounzeh.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Seated buddha images at Umin Thounzeh.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Large seated buddha at Umin Thounzeh.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The Soon Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda is located on the top of the Sagaing Hill. It is one of the oldest temples on Sagaing Hill. It was built in 1312 by Minister Pon Nya. Pagoda Festival is held on the fullmoon day of Waso (July).
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The Soon Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda is located on the top of the Sagaing Hill. It is one of the oldest temples on Sagaing Hill. It was built in 1312 by Minister Pon Nya. Pagoda Festival is held on the fullmoon day of Waso (July).
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Large seated buddha at Umin Thounzeh.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Large seated buddha at Umin Thounzeh.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Closeup of stupa with umbrella. The umbrella is the elaborate piece at the top.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Sagaing Sagaing Hill Southeast Asia Umin Thounzeh michaelwalkerphotos u min thonze pagoda www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Laundry Day
Women doing laundry along the shore of the Irrawaddy River in Min Kun, Myanmar.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
If you arrive at Mingun on the river these steps and statues are the first thing you see. They lead up to a small temple.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Buddha and buddha footprint in the temple.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Man praying in the temple at Mingun.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Standing buddha in the temple in Mingun.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Mingun Pahtodawgyi
The Mingun temple is a monumental uncompleted stupa began by King Bodawpaya in 1790. It was not completed, due to an astrologer claiming that, once the temple was finished, the king would die. The completed stupa would have been the largest in the world at 150 metres (490 ft). Huge cracks are visible on the structure from the earthquake of 23 March 1839. (From Wikipedia)
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Pahtodawgyi Myanmar Pa Hto Taw Gyi Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Pahtodawgyi Myanmar Pa Hto Taw Gyi Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Looks like Harry Cary, but it's not. See the next photo to see who it is.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
I'm not sure why this guy gets a monument, maybe someone can tell me.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
This building holds the Mingun Bell, it was cast between 1808 and 1810.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Mingun Bell
The Mingun Bell weighs 199,999 pounds. That's heavy! For example a Boeing 737-800 has a max takeoff weight of 174,200 pounds.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Bell Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
From inside the Mingun Bell.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Bell Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Graffitti inside the Mingun Bell.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Bell Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The Mingun Bell does not have a clapper, it is rung by striking the outer edge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Bell Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A substantial hanger!
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Bell Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Bell Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Monk with Mingun Bell.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Mingun Bell Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
All your digital photo needs...in a hut.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The white, circular Myatheindan Pagoda built in 1816.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Myatheindan Pagoda Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The white, circular Myatheindan Pagoda built in 1816.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Myatheindan Pagoda Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
This bamboo raft on the Irrawaddy almost has a village on it.
Asia Bamboo Raft Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Mingun Myanmar Places Ships and Boats Southeast Asia Transportation michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
We are headed back to the east side of the Yadanabon Bridge to see more sights.
Asia Ayeyarwady Bridge Burma Irrawaddy Bridge Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Yadanabon Bridge Yadanar Pone Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
This elderly monk was on our boat crossing the Myitnge River to Inwa. He said it was ok to take his photo.
Asia Burma Inwa Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Myitnge River Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Man herding goats, Inwa, Myanmar.
Asia Burma Inwa Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Bagaya Monastery was built with 267 gigantic teak wood posts.
Asia Bagaya Monastery Burma Inwa Maha Waiyan Bontha Bagaya Monastery Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Bagaya Monastery Burma Inwa Maha Waiyan Bontha Bagaya Monastery Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A rice paddy in Inwa with the Bagaya Monastery in the background.
Asia Bagaya Monastery Burma Inwa Maha Waiyan Bontha Bagaya Monastery Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Children walking on the road through the rice paddys at the Bagaya Monastery.
Asia Bagaya Monastery Burma Inwa Maha Waiyan Bontha Bagaya Monastery Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Man working in a rice paddy, Inwa, Myanmar.
Asia Burma Inwa Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
School girls on bikes passing rice paddys, Inwa, Myanmar.
Asia Burma Inwa Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Our horse cart driver takes us through the Inwa West Gate.
Asia Burma Inwa Inwa West Gate Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A horse cart ride through palm trees in Inwa, Myanmar.
Asia Burma Inwa Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Man driving an ox cart through banana fields, Inwa, Myanmar.
Asia Burma Inwa Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The Nanmyin, or Watchtower of Inwa.
Asia Burma Inwa Leaning Tower of Inwa Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Nanmyin Nanmyin Tower Places Southeast Asia Watch Tower michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com

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