Sagaing
Sagaing lies 21km south-west of Mandalay on the
west bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Sagaing became
the capital of an independent Shan kingdom around
1315 after the fall of Bagan. Its period of
importance was short, for in 1364 the founder's
grandson, Thado Minbya, moved his capital across the
river to Inwa. From 1760 to 1764, Sagaing was once
again the capital. Today, Sagaing is known as a
meditation centre. Myanmars all over the country
would visit Sagaing for the purpose of religious
retreat.
Interesting Places
Sagaing Hill
Once you cross the Inwa Bridge, you see the
hilltops, each crested with a pagoda, the banners
proclaiming the Buddha's teaching, the refuge from
all ills
 and
tribulations where over 600 monasteries for monks
and nuns are located for Buddhist studies and
meditation. The Padamyazedi dates from 1300 while
the U min Thonze or thirty caves pagoda has many
Buddha images in a crescent shaped colonnade. Mural
paintings can be seen in the Tilawkaguru cave
temple, which was built around 1672. At the nearby
village of Ywahtaung you can see silver workers
producing bowls and other silver items by
traditional methods. The most impressive Soon Oo Pon
Nya Shin Pagoda nearby was constructed in 1312. The
view of Sagaing from Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin and its
approach is marvelous.
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Nearby Attractions
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda
 This
huge pagoda is 10 km beyond the town of Sagaing. The
enormous dome rises 46 m (151 feet) in the shape of
a perfect hemisphere and was modeled after the
Mahaceti Pagoda in Ceylon. Also known as
Rajamanisula, the pagoda was built to commemorate
Inwa's establishment as the royal capital of
Myanmar. Around the base of the pagoda are stone
pillars, each of which is 1.5 m high. The details of
the pagoda's construction are recorded on them.
Click here for more information about Kaunghmudaw
Pagoda.
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Thabyedan Fort
Just to the left of Inwa bridge, on the Mandalay
and Inwa side, is the fort of Thabyedan which was
built as a last ditch defense by the Myanmar before
the third Anglo-Myanmar war.
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