Full Day Excursion to Monywa from Mandalay

Real Treasure Travels & Tours

When in Mandalay, it is very worthwhile to take a visit to Monywa, which lies on the banks of the Chindwin River and northwest of Mandalay. Marvel at the architecture of the amazing Thanbuddhay Pagoda and Cave Temple at Pho Win Taung.

Mandalay

❮ ❯

See more photos

In the early morning at 07:00 AM, your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Mandalay, and then drive you to Monywa (150 kilometers, about 2 hours). Arrive in Monywa and continue to visit a sandstone cave system in the Pho Win Hills, named after a famous 'zawgyi' (alchemist) who once lived here.
The Caves of Pho Win Taung, numbering more than one hundred, are full of Buddhist statues and murals. Most exhibit the Innwa style but some may date all the way back to the 14th century.
Nearby, visit Shwe Ba Taung which features unique pavilions cut from the surrounding sandstone and filled with Buddha images. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Then visit Moenyin Thanboddhay Pagoda, which is about 20 kilometers from Monywa. The richly decorated central stupa has no less than 845 smaller stupas around it. Inside the patio, you will see thousands of Buddha images (reportedly over 500.000) decorating every wall, archway, and niche.
The buildings in the compound have interesting jataka relieves and there is a huge Reclining Buddha (Shwe Thar Lyaung Pagoda) nearby.

You will also visit Aungset Kya Pagoda, Bodhitahtaung Pagoda, where you will see 1000 Bo trees with sitting Buddha images and Laykyun Sakkya Yattawmu Pagoda, famous for the world’s tallest standing Buddha image. After that enjoy the ride back to your hotel in Mandalay.