Amarapura Things to Do Tips by Waxbag

Monks Eat at Bagaya Kyuang

Bagaya Kyuang, is the largest monastery in Burma. It is huge 19th century, wooden monastery with a large population of monks. You can see the monks at lunch eating out of their bowls if you are lucky.

You can see different groups of monks eating according to seniority. You can see groups of red, pink, and white robed monks, red being worn by the oldest and most senior and white worn by the children.

"City of Immortality" Amarapura

Although the original grandeur of Amarapura is gone as it was used as a wood and stone quarry to build modern Mandalay, there are still many fascinating sites to see here. Life of the people can really be seen here whether it's a monk walking to the temple to pray, children playing during recess from the outdoor classes, an old man smoking cheroot while fishing, woman working the looms, or a man fetching water from the lake to take back to his thatched hut. There were no other tourist around and I didn't feel like one myself.

Bagaya Kyuang, is the largest monastery in Burma. It is huge 19th century, wooden monastery with a large population of monks. You can see the monks at lunch eating out of their bowls if you are lucky.

Near the monastery is U Bein's Bridge. This bridge crosses the Taungthaman Lake over to a small village and Kyauktawagyi Paya. The bridge is made entirely of teak and is 1.2 km long making it the longest teak span in the world. The bridge has remained for 200 years, a testament of the longevity of teak.

The Kyauktawagyi Paya is beautiful temple among a wooded shaded area. Inside is seated Buddha and many interesting frescos. Here on this side of the lake you can find women working the mechanical looms to make clothing.

Address: 11kms South of Mandalay

Directions: In Mandalay you must find a taxi that will take you around the sites outside the city. I went with two others for a good rate. You can also see, Pyin U Lwin, Ava and Kaunghmudaw Paya in the same day.