This summer I spent two weeks in Myanmar on a work trip. It was pretty jam packed, and a truly wonderful experience (and so lovely to meet so many colleagues in person after having worked together for so long!). I spent the weekend in Bagan, which was stunning, and my second week in Mandalay. After finishing work early one day, my wonderful colleagues took my sight-seeing. They were amazing tour guides and took me to some incredible places. See the photos below!

Su Taung Pyae Pagoda atop Mandalay Hill

A major pilgrimage site for Burmese Buddhists for nearly two centuries. At the top of the hill is the Sutaungpyei (literally wish-fulfilling) Pagoda.

Bagaya Monastery

Is a Buddhist monastery built on the southwest of Inwa Palace. This magnificent monastery is also known as Maha Waiyan Bontha Bagaya Monastery.

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Kuthodaw Pagoda

Kithodaw Pagoda was built in the 1800s and contains the world’s largest book. In the grounds of the pagoda are 729 kyauksa gu or stone-inscription caves, each containing a marble slab inscribed on both sides with a page of text.

The Mandalay Palace

This is the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy. The palace was constructed between 1857 and 1859 as part of King Mindon’s founding of the new royal capital city of Mandalay.

Atumashi Monastery

This was built in 1857 by King Mindon, two years after the capital was moved to Mandalay. It burnt down in 1890 but was rebuilt in 1996.

Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery

Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, commonly known as the Me Nu Brick Monastery, is a historic Buddhist monastery. The monastery was built by Queen Nanmadaw Me Nu in 1818 to serve as the residence of her religious preceptor, the Nyaunggan Sayadaw U Po.

U Bein Bridge

U Bein Bridge is a crossing that spans the Taungthaman. The 1.2-kilometre (0.75 mi) bridge was built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and (once) longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Home to London 🙂