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The surrounding of Mandalay can be explored well in half daily or day trips. In the morning we went by boat in ¾ hr. 10 km on the Ayeyarwady River upstream to Mingun. Only this trip is already an experience of its own. We could watch the leisurely life at and on the river in the morning haze. You can reach Mingun only by boat.
From the river you can already see the enormous base of the Mingun-Pagoda, which its 50 m height it is the largest brick ruin of Asia. Originally this building should reach a height of 160 m, but was never finished.
By a short walk or by “ox-truck” you can reach the snow-white Set-taw-ya-Pagoda. Inside there is a marble footprint of Buddha. The 7 wavy terraces symbolize the 7 mountains of the Indian mythology. North of them there is the largest intact bell of the world. It weighs approx. 90 tons, is 6 m high, 15 m round and with diameter of 5 m.
A further destination is Sagaing on the other side of the river. On the hills between Sagaing and Mingun live today approximately 8000 monks, novices and nuns in 735 monasteries. The attraction Sagaings lies particularly in the total sight of the innumerable pagodas scattered over several hill ranges.
In the South of Mandalay lies Amarapura , famous for its old 1200 m long Teakbridge (U-Pein-Bridge). Our short walk over these old wood bars with the resting places belonged to the most atmospheric experiences of our journey.
At the beginning of the bridge the burmesian everyday life caught us again.
