Amarapura at Sunset

The best time to visit Amarapura is before sunset. The view of the 200 year old U Bein Bridge at sunset is unforgettable. The teakwood footbridge is 1.2 km long and is supported by more than 1000 teakwood post. It is one of my favorite places in Myanmar.

Sagaing

An alternative to Bagan is Sagaing with its around 500 white colored stupas. The view of the white stupas from Sagaing Hill is interesting but not awesome as the stupas of Bagan.

Ancient Ava

To get to Ava, you have to take a ferry. This ferry leaves once a foreigner boards and pays for the fare. Locals are allowed to board the boat for free. Horse carts are available in Ava to bring you around. In Ava, the most impressive sight is Bagaya Kyaung, a teakwood monastery constructed in the 17th century, which happily has not been restored nor renovated. With its detailed and intricate wood carvings, it is most beautiful teakwood monastery in Myanmar and perhaps in the whole world.

Me Nu Ok Kyaung, a brick and stucco monastery is, likewise a sight to behold.

Snake Pagoda

I thought I had the ultimate "snake" experience in Thailand until I went to the Snake Pagoda in Paleik about 20 km south of Mandalay. Here the snakes (actually giant pythons) are led out of the sanctuary of the Buddha image into the wash area where they are bathed. Tourists are then given the opportunity to hold and cuddle the snakes. After being given a bath, the snakes crawl back to the Buddha where they sleep curled around the Buddha. It was a unique sight.

More Mandalay Photos

Teakwood monastery (top photo) and Kuthodaw Paya, dubbed the world's biggest book ( bottom photo)

Royal Mandalay

One friend said it was the best place to see in Myanmar. And another friend told me that it was not worth visiting. So I did not really know what to expect in Mandalay. But what I saw, I thoroughly enjoyed! My other friend was right... it is the place not be missed in Myanmar.

Temples mostly painted in white were pretty. Teakwood monasteries are nothing like I have ever seen with its beautiful and intricate carvings. Areas around Mandalay, particularly Mingun and Amarapura, were truly awesome. And I understood why Mandalay was Myanmar's last royal capital!

So if there is only one destination that you can go to in Myanmar, make it Mandalay.

Bagan's Ancient Temples

Because of its more than 3,000 of temples, Bagan is impressive. It is most specially awesome if viewed from the top of Buledi temple, a great alternative to the more popular Dhammayangyi temple. There are less people at Buledi although the vendors can be bothersome. I was the only tourist in Buledi until about 5 vendors arrived who were persistently trying to sell their stuff to to me.

However, the ancient temples are not as awesome as the ones in Siem Reap in Cambodia. Bagan's temples are smaller and only looks good from the outside. There is really nothing much to see inside. Siem Reap's temples including the Angkor Vat are huge in size and are impressive inside with its beautiful hieroglyphics and wall carvings.

Nevertheless, it is still worth seeing Bagan's temples. But best to go there before going to Siem Reap in Cambodia, to be able to truly appreciate Bagan's temples.