MYA - T 14: MONYWA, 2 days (L)
Mandalay - Monywa – Mandalay
Day 1 Mandalay
– Monywa
Pick up from the hotel in Mandalay and
transfer from Mandalay to Monywa. Drive west across the Irrawaddy River to
Monywa, capital of Sagaing Division, on the banks of the Chindwin River. Upon
arrival, sightseeing in Monywa, the city of trade center for
agricultural products. Visit Thanboddhay Paya, Twin Daung hill, Ledi
Kyaung Monastery that is similar in concept to Kuthoday Paya in Mandalay
and visit Shwe Guni Paya - one of the most important pilgrimage spots in
Upper Myanmar.
Overnight in Monywa
MONYWA is situated on the
eastern bank of the Chindwin River, with a population of 300,000 and is the
second biggest town in Upper Myanmar. It serves as a major trade center for
agricultural produce from the surrounding Chindwin Valley, especially beans,
pulses, and sugar palm.
THANBODDHAY PAYA: built between
1939 and 1952 by Moehnyin Sayadaw, the solid section of the monument is said to
enclose 7350 relics and other holy materials.
TWIN DAUNG: hill stands only
200m above the surrounding plain, but features a 50m-deep round lake known as
Myitta Kan, whose water level reportedly rises and falls with the Chindwin.
LEDI KYAUNG: monastery on the
northeastern edge of town constructed in 1886 by order of renowned Pali scholar
Ledi Sayadaw. Similar in concept to Kuthodaw Paya in Mandalay, the kyaung
features 806 stone slabs inscribed with Buddhist scriptures.
SHWE GU NI PAYA: one of the most
important pilgrimage spots in Upper Myanmar, dating to the 14th century, the
main zedi of Shwe Gu Ni Paya rises 33m and is famous for its 'wish-fulfilling'
powers.
Day
2 Monywa
After breakfast,
excursion by boat and vehicle to the Hpo
Win Caves. Cross the Chindwin River by
local ferry and continue westwards towards the Hpo Win Caves by open jeep. A
quite impressive sandstone caves situated in a cleft in the Hpo Win Daung
(Hill). The hills have probably been occupied since the dawn of human
habitation in Myanmar. The caves themselves contain Buddhist statues,
woodcarving and murals dating to the 17th and 18th
centuries. Afternoon, return from Monywa to Mandalay
End
of Services **Note: Itinerary subject
to change due to flight schedules.