Mandalay Hill, Mandalay

  • Location: To the northeast of the hearland of Mandalay in Burma
  • Height: 240 meter
  • Attractions: A major pilgrimage site for Burmese Buddhists with its abundance of pagodas and monasteries, climbing.


In the journey of discovery Mandalay, visitors will admire the famous and sacred hill of Myanmar - Mandalay Hill.

Situated in the northeast of Mandalay downtown, this 240 metre (790 ft) hill is the famous place of pilgrimage for Myanmar Buddhists as well as a great attraction for travelers, including many pagodas and monasteries with characterized Buddhist architecture. There are four covered stairways leading up to the top of the hill from four directions: east, west, southand north. Two white huge Chinthes, mythical creature (half-lion, half-dragon) in Myanmar legendary, have guarded the entrance of these stairs for nearly two centuries. The southern stairway with 1,729 steps was used most but pilgrims and visitors can climb by other side one or choose the escalator, cars or buses to up the top easier and faster. However, climbing yourself is really an interesting and unforgettable experience as well as the expression of devotion to the Buddha. It's absolutely not too hard because more stops placed along the way, where you will see plenty of counters selling flowers, food, drink and items of Buddhism for visitors and pilgrims, most especially the dazaung of U Khanti, a great hermit who laid the foundations for the buildings and four stairways of the hill. It’s believed to keep three fragments of bone of the Gautama Buddha called the Peshawar Relics from 1923 until the Second World War ended when they were transferred to a building at the foothills. On the way leaving U Khanti's dazaung, travelers will see frieze paintings and 28 Buddhas statues representing the past and present.

From the hilltop, visitors can admire the spectacular overall picture of Mandalay flooded with fresh green, along with winding dirt roads, meandering Ayeyarwady River, ancient stupas, the old Royal Palace and Fortress. Sunset from Mandalay Hill is a gorgeous scene you should not miss. Near the top, a giant standing Buddha statue called the Shweyattaw or Byadeippay Buddha is pointing toward the plains in Mandalay, which illustrates the prophecy of Gautama Buddha about the establishment of Mandalay. Moreover, on the ascent, there are images of different creatures; each of them represents one rebirth of reincarnation before becoming Buddha such as a rabbit, a duck or a lizard. In the north of the hill, the Sutaungpyei Pagoda called the Mwegyi hnakaung (Two Great Snakes) Pagoda was built after two huge snakes were found nearby unfinished construction works in Mandalay Hill. Pilgrims put money in the cobra statues' mouths and pray lucky.

Mandalay hill really is a great place to not only enjoy the scenery but also learn more about the history of Buddhism as well as Mandalay city.

Attractions In Mandalay

Amarapura
In Pali language, Amarapura means 'City of Immortality', established by King Bodawpaya of the...
Atumashi Monastery
Constructed in 1857 by King Mindon who moved the capital to Mandalay, Atumashi Monastery is great...
Ayeyarwaddy River
With a length of approximately 1350 miles (2,170 km), the Ayeyarwady River or Irrawaddy River is...
Gold leaf beating workshop in Mandalay
Myanmar is known as a golden country and gold is found everywhere, from the quarries to the temples...
Kuthodaw Paya
Referring to books, we often think of the white pages printed black ink. But perhaps few know that...
Kyauk Taw Gyi pagoda
Located at the foot of Mandalay Hill, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda was constructed from 1853 and completed in...
Mahagandaryone Monastery
Amarapura is known with the ancient Buddhist architecture bearing the stamp of history of Myanmar....
Mahamuni Buddha Temple
Lying in the south of Mandalay, Mahamunni Pagoda is a great and most revered pilgrimage destination...
Mandalay Hill
Situated in the northeast of Mandalay downtown, this 240 metre (790 ft) hill is the famous place of...
Mandalay Palace
Located in the heart of Mandalay city, Mandalay Palace was the first royal palace in here, built by...
Myae Swon village
When arriving to Mandalay, travelers will be attracted by the beautiful scenery and idyllic working...
Shwe Kyaung Monastery (Golden Palace)
Constructed entirely of teak wood in the mid-nineteenth century by King Mindon, Shwe Nandaw Kyaung...
U pein Bridge
The bridge is named after its builder U Bain who was the lord of the villages on the other side of...
Zegyo Market
Located at the heart of Mandalay and built during the reign of King Mindon, Zegyo Market is the...

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