Tuesday, July 24, 2007

MANDALAY



ABOUT MANDALAYMandalay, well-known as the "City of Gems", remains the Golden Land's cultural centre. Situated in the heart of Upper Myanmar, the city lies at the hub of river routes from China and India and land routes from the Shan massif and Siam beyond. Mandalay is the economic and religious centre of Upper Myanmar. Mandalay is Myanmar's second largest city with a population of aroung 500,000 and was founded in 1857. Manadalay was the last capital of Myanmar to fall before the British took over, and for this reason it still has great importance as a cultural centre. Mandalay is dry and dusty in the hot season, and is a sprawling town of busy streets, stunning pagodas and a lively cultural scene.ClimateThe rainy season lasts from mid-May until mid-October. For the next few months, the weather is quite reasonable. In fact, it is actually cool in Mandalay at night and near freezing in Kalaw, near Inle Lake. From mid-February, it gets increasingly hot until the rains arrive once more. The Burmese New Year in April, at the peak of the hot season, means much fun and throwing water at all concerned. November to February are the best months to visit.Manadalay Fort & Palace King Mindon Min ordered the construction of his imposing walled palace compound in 1857. A channel from the Mandalay irrigation canal fills the moat. On 20 March 1945, in fierce fighting between advancing British and Indian troops and the Japanese forces which had held Mandalay since 1942, the royal palace within the fort caught fire and was completely burnt out. Because recent renovations were notorious for their use of draft labour, many locals as well as visitors refuse to enter the new 'palace'. Apparently, an old term for the west gate, Gate of III Omen, still applies for the same reasons.Mandalay Hill An easy half-hour barefoot climb up the sheltered steps brings you to a wide view over the palace, Mandalay and the pagoda-studded countryside.You could take a minitaxi the back way to the top of the hill and enter freely, then walk down. Two immense carved lions guard the soudi-west entrance to the hill and the south-east entrance is watched over by the Bobokyi Nat.Kuthodaw Pava This pagoda's 729 small temples each shelter a marble slab inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. The central pagoda makes it 730. Built by King Mindon Min around 1860, it is the world's biggest book. Don't confuse it with Sandamuni Paya, which is right in front of it and which also has a large collection of inscribed slabs. The ruins of the Atumashi Kyaung (Incomparable Monastery) are also close to the foot of Mandalay Hill.Shwenandaw Kyaung One a part of King Mindon Min's palce, this wooden building was moved to its present site and converted into a monastery after his death. This is the finest remaining example of traditional wooden Burmese architecture in Mandalay since all teh other palace buildings were destroyed during WWII.Shwe In Bin Kyaung This large and elegant wooden monastery was commissioned in 1895 by a pair of wealthy Chinese jade merchants. The wood-carved ornamentation along the balustrades and roof cornices is of exquisite quality, and the sandy compound can be a peaceful change from Mandalay Hill.Mahamuni Paya, or Arakan Pagoda, stands to the south of town. It's noted for its huge, highly venerated, Rakhine-style Buddha image, which is thickly covered in gold leaf. Around the main pagoda are rooms containing a huge five tonne gong and Khmer-style bronze figures. Outside the pagoda are streets full of Buddha image makers.The Zegyo Market in the centre of town really comes alive at night. The 19th century Eindawya Paya and the 12th century Shwekylmylnt Paya are also close to the centre. The latter is older than Mandalay itself. Several of the town's pagodas have amusing clockwork coin-in-the-slot displays.


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