The temples Mandalay are one of the biggest tourist draws in all of Myanmar. As the cultural and religious center of Myanmar, Mandalay has several spectacular temples that are a popular draw for local Buddhists, as well as attracting the attention of thousands of international tourists.
The temples of Mandalay are the highlight of any visit to Upper Burma’s main city. Here are some of the best:
Sutaungpyei Temple – Mandalay Hill
Mandalay Hill is visible from across the city. Atop the hill is the most prominent temple in Mandalay. Literally, Sutaungpyei Temple overlooks the city and Myanmar countryside below.
Sutaungpyei Temple atop Mandalay Hill is the best view in Mandalay. From the top, visitors can see Mandalay Palace and several important structures below. Several hundred feet above the valley floor, there is often wind which makes the hill more pleasant than street level. It is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the view.
Sutaungpyei Temple is not included in the Mandalay Archaeological Zone ticket. Entrance is technically free. However, tourists are charged a 1000 MMK camera fee. It is well worth the price for the view.
The hillside is full of vendors selling souvenirs and religious items. The base of Mandalay Hill is crowded with large tents and tables where you can eat or cool off in the shade with a cold-ish drink.
Check out my Mandalay Travel Guide for more on Mandalay Hill and other important details of visiting the Myanmar’s second-largest city.
Kyauktawgyi Temple
Kyauktawgyi Temple is a stunning display of ornate, Theravada Buddhist design. The entire complex, the busiest of all temples in Mandalay, glitters and shines in the sunlight. There are beautiful buildings, Buddha statues watching over and even giant drums and gongs.
The Kyauktawgyi Temple complex is impressive, but is really a bit much. Not to disrespect the importance this temple holds for the Burmese people, but, from a casual observer, it is gaudy. The LED rope lights, rows of souvenir stands and booming stereos take away from any tranquil, serene state of zen commonly found in many Buddhist temples.
The temple is supposedly old, but everything appears new, with signs of recent construction all around.
In spite of its (literally) flashy nature, Kyauktawgyi Temple is an important site for Buddhists in Myanmar. For no other reason, it is worth visiting to see the elaborate decoration. It’s also near the other temples, so you might as well check another one of the list for comparison.
Teakwood Temple of Mandalay – Shwenandaw Monastery
Shwenandaw Monastery is not the biggest temple in Mandalay, and it does not stand out from afar. Walking closer, the intricate design and woodwork comes into view. The teakwood temple is the most impressive in Mandalay, and perhaps all of Myanmar, but it requires an up-close look.
The Shwenandaw Monastery in Mandalay appears fragile and is a prize of Myanmar. This is one of the few places in the Mandalay Archaeological Zone that has staff to check the tickets of all visitors. Somehow, through centuries of change and war, Shwenandaw Monastery remains intact.
Teakwood is an expensive wood, and its trade is now subject to regulations in many places, although teakwood plantations are helping to alleviate the stress of high demand. For obvious reasons, there are few remaining teakwood structures on this scale, and Shwenandaw Monastery is a rare remaining masterpiece of architecture. Hopefully, the government of Myanmar keeps a close eye on this treasure to ensure its preservation.
The World’s Largest Book
The World’s Largest Book is actually Kuthodaw Pagoda. The pagoda is a collection of hundreds of white stupas, each with a tablet inside that is inscribed with text. These are not small tablets, each over five feet tall and more than three feet wide with about a hundred lines. Together they make a book, a very big book.
When visiting, stop and consider that the text on each tablet was chiseled by hand. And there are hundreds of tablets. The complexity of the Kuthodaw Pagoda is immense, and the tedious nature of its formation is impressive.
The book of white stupas center around a brilliant shiny centerpiece.
Due to its distinction as the World’s Largest Book, Kuthodaw Pagoda receives more attention and is busier than many of the surrounding tourist sites. It doesn’t take long to see the World’s Largest Book, unless, of course, you read Burmese. In which case, good luck with that.
Sandamuni Pagoda
The World’s Largest book is cool, but Sandamuni Pagoda is even better. With the same bright white stupas, Sandamuni stands out from afar. Hundreds of white stupas surround a large glittering gold stupa in the common Burmese style.
Like Kuthodaw Pagoda, Sandamuni has a lot of stupas filled with huge tablets chiseled with text. There are apparently more tablets at Sandamuni. According to my driver, for some reason it is not technically a book. That unique distinction remains with Kuthodaw.
Strangely, the unmonitored collection of white stupas at Sandamuni Pagoda is not very busy. By that, I mean it’s pretty much empty. Even by Mandalay tourist standards, it’s not busy. The emptiness and overshadowing by its more famous neighbor makes Sandamuni a great option for a cool sight without the crowds.
There are a few overzealous locals selling souvenirs and random stuff, so smile, say “no, thanks,” and keep walking if you aren’t looking to buy.
You’re not supposed to take pictures at Sandamuni. However, even local visitors are snapping photos, so there isn’t much reason to worry about breaking any rules.
Atumashi Monastery
Atumashi Monastery is bizarre among Buddhist temples in Mandalay. The structure is beautiful on the outside, but the interior is curiously drab. Especially in comparison to the other Mandalay temples, this one is plain.
The oddest part about Atumashi Monastery is the completely empty interior, aside from a Buddha at one end. The structure is large, and inside feels even larger, but there is nothing there. Not even people.
The best part about this empty temple is the genius design for large crowds. In sweltering Upper Burma, Atumashi Monastery is easily 20 degrees cooler than outside. The design has very high ceilings, and the whole structure is raised off of the ground. It is perfect for keeping a large crowd cool, even packed in an open-air building in Myanmar.
The Temples of Mandalay
Buddhist temples are on full display in Myanmar, and Mandalay is the best place to experience the cultural impact of Buddhism in the country. Though many of these temples attract tourists, a large majority of visitors are local.
There is a lot more to seeing the temples of Mandalay than walking through elaborate buildings and taking photos. The Burmese people are very friendly and are not afraid to approach tourists to take photos, ask about you or test their English. More than wandering through stunning temples, a few days in Mandalay is a cultural experience of Myanmar.
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