Myanmar · Culture

2-Day Mandalay Culture and History Tour with Mingun and Inwa

2 Days Round trip from Mandalay Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Attend gold-leaf, stone-carving, wood-carving, and tapestry workshops in Mandalay
02 See the 24-carat gold-plated revered Buddha image at Mahamuni Pagoda
03 Visit U Min-Thone-Sel, with 45 same-size seated Buddha images inside thirty caves
04 Enjoy sunset views from Mandalay Hill and the world's longest teak-made bridge, U Bein

Explore Mandalay and the ancient capitals of the Burmese Kingdom on this 2-day cultural and historical journey through Mandalay, Mingun, Sagaing, Inwa, and Amarapura. Visit revered religious monuments such as Mahamuni Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda Complex, Golden Palace Monastery, Hsin Byu Me Pagoda, and Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery, while also discovering local craftsmanship at gold-leaf, stone-carving, wood-carving, and tapestry workshops. Learn about the royal past at Mandalay Palace, marvel at the Mingun Bell and the unfinished Pahtotawgyi, and cross to Inwa by ferry for a horse-cart ride through the ancient capital. The tour ends with beautiful sunset views from Mandalay Hill and the world's longest teak-made bridge, U Bein.

Explore Mandalay and the ancient capitals of the Burmese Kingdom on this 2-day cultural and historical journey through Mandalay, Mingun, Sagaing, Inwa, and Amarapura.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Mandalay, Sagaing, Mingun, Inwa, Amarapura

Languages Burmese, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Mandalay Heritage and Sunset at Mandalay Hill

Meet your tour guide at the hotel.
Sightsee the gold-leaf hammering craft shop and learn how gold foils are made at the gold-leaf centre.
Visit Mahamuni Pagoda with your Myanmar tour guide. It is a spectacular and revered Buddha image, covered with 24-carat gold plates.
Stop to see the masterpiece work of craftsmen at the stone-carving workshop, then proceed to the wood-carving and tapestry workshop.
In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace, the last residence of the Burmese Kingdom.
Proceed to the Kuthodaw Pagoda Complex, which houses the world's largest book, with Buddhist scriptures inscribed on it.
Explore Golden Palace Monastery, an attractive complex popular for its typical 19th-century wood carvings and the apartment of King Mindon.
Head to the finest architectural brick monastery, known as Mahaatulawaiyan Monastery.
Climb to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy beautiful sunset views.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02

Mingun, Sagaing, Inwa, and U Bein Bridge

After breakfast at the hotel, the tour begins with a 2-hour drive to Mingun, a riverside historical site.
Start sightseeing at Settawyar Pagoda, which was built and moved from Amarapura to the present site by King Bodawpaya.
Visit Pahtotawgyi, a massive unfinished pagoda.
Explore Mingun Bell, the largest functioning bronze-cast bell in the world.
Proceed to the Memorial Hall of Mingun Sayadaw and Hsin Byu Me Pagoda.
Set sail downstream to the jetty.
Drive to Sagaing, the largest religious site in the country.
See the Soonooponyashin Pagoda on top of Sagaing Hill.
Step into U Min-Thone-Sel, thirty caves that contain 45 same-size seated Buddha images.
Continue crossing to Inwa by ferry boat with your local tour guide.
Enjoy a horse-cart ride in Inwa, the ancient capital of Myanmar kings, and later visit Bagayar Monastery, built with large teak woods and carvings.
Continue to the old pagoda complex and visit Yadanarsimi Pagoda.
Head to the Nanmyint watchtower, the only remaining structure from the Inwa royal palace buildings.
On the last leg of the tour, visit Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery, the finest architectural marvel and a famous religious monument of the Inwa era.
Finish the tour by watching the sunset at the world's longest teak-made bridge, known as U Bein.
Drive back to Mandalay and then transfer to your hotel.

End of the tour.

Where this trip takes you

Mingun Pahtodawgyi, Mingun Bell, Mandalay Hill, U Bein

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mandalay 5 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

English-speaking Burmese guide
Well-experienced driver and well air-conditioned car
Bottled water
Snow towels
Road taxes

What's Not Included

Food and drinks
Personal expenses
Entrance fees
Camera fees
Inwa (Ava) ferry boat
Inwa (Ava) horse cart

Know before you go

Travellers should wear formal dress and take off footwear while visiting religious sites.
Visit Mandalay and the nearby ancient capitals of the Burmese Kingdoms on an extremely well-rounded tour of historical buildings, religious monuments from different periods, finest architecture, ways of life, arts, different cultural aspects, and more.

Logistics