Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
worth a look, if only to better imagine how Bodawpaya's vision may have appeared when
completed.
Mingun Bell
Daily 5.30am-5.30pm • Free
As well as the globe's largest pile of bricks, Mingun also boasts one of the world's heaviest
functioning
bells
, just north of Mingun Pagoda, on the west side of the road. Like its fellow
record-breaker, this was commissioned by King Bodawpaya, to whom size clearly meant
everything - it weighs 55,555 viss (corresponding to around ninety tonnes), and is around
5m wide at the base. The done thing here - quite probably down to human nature, for every
single visitor seems genetically programmed to do precisely the same thing - is to duck in-
side, then get someone to clang the bell with their fist. Despite the size, it's not particularly
sonorous - the graffiti daubed inside can't help.
Hsinbyume Paya
Daily 24hr • In theory, part of
Sagaing-Mingun combination ticket
The town's final sight, located just north of the Mingun Bell, is handsomely whitewashed
Hsinbyume Paya
. Its wavy design is said to represent Mount Sumeru, the mountain at the
centre of the Buddhist cosmos, and the seas that surround it - there are seven such “layers”,
and if youwalk uppast all ofthem you'll be rewarded with a superlative view ofthe Mingun
area, the countryside beyond, and the river on which you've most likely arrived.
KILLING TIME IN MINGUN
The ferries to Mingun usually afford you around three hours in the village - a little too
much time for some, since the giant Mingun Pagoda can no longer be climbed, and it takes
only a short time to circumnavigate. Although it looks tempting, you're advised to save
the pagoda for last - you've plenty of time, and by hitting the other sights first you'll see
them without being part of a large group of tourists. Just north of Hsinbyume Paya is the
start of a small residential area; many travellers eventually gravitate here, to pad slowly
along its pleasant, dusty roads, and perhaps drop into one of the several teahouses. If you
really, really need something to do, there's also a snooker hall here, just on the right as you
enterthevillage-Burmeseoftenjokethatthecountryhasmoresnookertablesthanschool
tables.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: MINGUN
By ferry
There are two ways of getting to Mingun by ferry. The government boats (1hr;
K5000) leave from the pier on 26th St in Mandalay at 9am, and return at 1pm; if there aren't
enoughseats onthedeck,simply popdownstairs tofetch yourown.Thealternative istotake
oneofthe
MGRG
services,whichdepartat9.30amand2.30pm,andstayinMingunforthree
