Sagaing

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Sagaing Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 Days

Best Time: November to December

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"The Golden Land of Burma"

Sagaing Tourism

Sagaing is a town located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River about 20km from Mandalay in Myanmar. It is the capital of Sagaing region and is known for many Buddhist temples and monasteries, making it an important monastic centre. Sagaing is a great day trip option for tourists visiting Mandalay who head to the scenic Sagaing Hill overlooking the Irrawaddy and Yadanabon Bridge.

Sagaing's former name is Zeyapura (Jayapura), which translates to the city of victory. Among the prominent attractions are the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda and Yaza Mani Sula Kaunghmudaw, a large pagoda on the northwestern outskirts of Sagaing.

The beautiful Irrawaddy river is the lifeline for people in the surrounding villages, and a tourist spot for visitors. It is an important port for fishing as well. Tourists can watch local fishers at work if they take a boat trip around sunrise in the river.

Sagaing is renowned for its silversmith works at Ywa Htaung quarters and also pottery at Nwe Nyein village. It is also an important educational centre and is home to several colleges, because of which you can notice a significant presence of students in the town.

Things to do in Sagaing

1. Hsinbyume Pagoda

Hsinbyume Pagoda
The Hsinbyume Pagoda, also known as Myatheindan, is a large Buddhist temple located in Mingun in Sagaing Region in Myanmar. Situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, this enormous white temple is (Read More)one of the main attractions for people visiting Sagaing province.

2. Sagaing Hill

Sagaing Hill
Sagaing Hill is located in the district with the same name close to Mandalay city in Myanmar. Situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy river, it is a green hill dotted with more than 600 white and gold (Read More)pagodas, making it one of the top attractions for tourists visiting Mandalay.

3. Bodhi Tataung

Bodhi Tataung
Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung is a region located in Monywa in Sagaing region in Myanmar. It is known for the world's third-largest standing statue of Buddha statue and many monasteries, which is home to thous (Read More)ands of monks from all over the country. It is a popular day trip option for tourists visiting Mandalay.

4. Ava Bridge

Ava Bridge
Ava Bridge is a steel cantilever bridge constructed between Ava and Sagaing towns across the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. It is one of the notable landmarks in Sagaing and is visited by tourists for th (Read More)e panoramic views from the bridge.

5. Phowintaung

Phowintaung
Phowintaung is a Buddhist cave complex located close to the town of Monywa in Sagaing Region in Myanmar. It is situated on the banks of the River Chindwin and is a popular attraction among tourists i (Read More)nterested in Buddhist caves. Phowintaung is known for the cave architecture and monastery, home to hundreds of young monks from across the country.

6. Kambazathadi Golden Palace

Kambazathadi Golden Palace
Kambazathadi Golden Palace is located in the city of Bago. This grand structure is a replica of the 16th-century royal palace built from teak, known for its intricate carved columns consisting of over (Read More) 2000 images of Buddha. It is worth checking for tourists visiting Bago to get to know the history of the Mon dynasty and the rich architecture of the palace. There is a small museum displaying the artefacts of the royalty.

7. U Min Thonze Caves

U Min Thonze Caves
U Min Thonze Caves also called as 30 Caves is a Buddhist temple complex located atop a hill in the town of Sagaing in Myanmar. It is known for the 10th-century wall paintings and stone columns consist (Read More)ing of 45 images of the Buddha spread across 30 caves. U Min Thonze is one of the most visited attractions among the tourists visiting Mandalay. The hilltop location offers stunning views of the sunset overlooking the Irrawaddy river, so it is best to visit in the late afternoon or early in the morning if you want to enjoy a sunrise.

8. Soon U Ponya Shin Paya

Soon U Ponya Shin Paya
Soon U Ponya Shin Paya is an ancient Buddhist pagoda located on the top of Nga-Pha Hill in Sagaing town in Myanmar. It is the most richly decorated among all the temples atop Sagaing hill, and is rich (Read More) in history and architecture, making it the top attraction for tourists visiting this region.

9. Shwe Kyat Yat Pagoda

Shwe Kyat Yat Pagoda
Shwe Kyat Yat Pagoda is an ancient Buddhist pagoda located on Shwe Kyat Yet Hill in Sagaing Region, in Mandalay. The original temple is probably the oldest in the country and is believed to be one of (Read More)the 84,000 pagodas built by King Thiri Dhamma Thawka in 218 BC. It is one of the most famous Buddhist temples visited by tourists for its rich history. The temple complex has several statues of Burmese kings and queens belonging to Pagan and Mon dynasties, which is unique to Shwe Kyat Yat Pagoda.

10. Shwe Mohtaw Pagoda

Shwe Mohtaw Pagoda
Shwe Mohtaw Pagoda is a Buddhist temple located in the Sagaing region in Myanmar. It is a 17th century pagoda built during the Mon dynasty, and contains a white central stupa on top of a terraced pag (Read More)oda built in Burmese style of architecture.

11. Tilawkaguru Caves

Tilawkaguru Caves
Tilawkaguru Caves is a Buddhist monastery located in Sagaing hill close to Mandalay in Myanmar. Built in the late 17th century, the caves are known for impressive wall paintings depicting the life of (Read More)the Buddha, and also the lives of people during the Mon dynasty. It is one of the most popular attractions for tourists visiting Sagaing hill.

12. Yadanabon Bridge

Yadanabon Bridge
Yadanabon Bridge also called the Irrawaddy, Yadanar Pone or New Ava, spans across the Irrawaddy River and connects Sagaing city to the southwest of Mandalay in Myanmar. It is built at the confluence o (Read More)f Ayeyarwady River with the Myitnge River and is the gateway to Mandalay, Yangon and other major cities. The bridge is an important landmark and is one of the most famous engineering marvels of the British colonial period in the country.

13. Kaunghmudaw Paya

Kaunghmudaw Paya
Kaunghmudaw Paya, also called Yaza Mani Sula Kaunghmudaw is an ancient Buddhist temple located close to the centre of Sagaing town in Myanmar. It is known for the large gilded golden stupa which was b (Read More)uilt in the 17th century when the royal capital was shifted to Inwa city.

14. Thabyedan Fort

Thabyedan Fort
Thabyedan Fort is located south of Ava bridge in the ancient town of Ava in Sagaing region in Myanmar. It was built by the British to guard the ports during WWII. It is one of the lesser known attract (Read More)ions worth checking out for tourists visiting Sagaing. The fort consists of a few canons, a watchtower and offers beautiful views of the Irrawaddy river and Ava bridge.

More on Sagaing Travel

History of Sagaing

Sagaing was the capital of the Sagaing Kingdom established by Athinkhaya, one of the sons of King Thihathu of the Pagan empire, after its decline. It was a small town and mostly one of the ports for fishing at that time. Sagaing rose to power during the Ava kingdom, when it became the royal town for princes. The city was also the capital during the reign of King Naung Daw Gyi.

The British expanded their offices during their colonization and connected the town to Mandalay by constructing the Irrawaddy bridge, which was one of the significant constructional projects undertaken by them.

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FAQs on Sagaing

What is famous about Sagaing?

Sagaing is a great destination to get away from the urban Mandalay for its hills, the views across the river and quieter places.

What is not so good about Sagaing?

For those running short on time, it is not worth visiting as Sagaing as it takes almost a day or more to explore.

What are the things to do in Sagaing?

The top things to do in Sagaing are Hsinbyume Pagoda, Sagaing Hill, Bodhi Tataung, Ava Bridge, Phowintaung, Kambazathadi Golden Palace. You can see all the places to visit in Sagaing here

What are the places near Sagaing?

The top places near to Sagaing are Mandalay which is 13 km from Sagaing, Inwa which is located 6 km from Sagaing, Monywa which is located 86 km from Sagaing, Bagan which is located 141 km from Sagaing, Hsipaw which is located 158 km from Sagaing

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