Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This gigantic stupa, originally built in 1444, is unusual for having three circular storeys
each incorporating arched niches. Across Say Yon Gyi St, a garden of garish statues in-
cludes a particularly fearsome red cobra.
Ayeyarwady Bridges
Linking Sagaing and Amarapura are two parallel bridges, each with multiple metal-
framed spans. The 16-span 1934
Ava Bridge
was partly demolished in 1942 to deny pas-
sage to advancing WWII Japanese troops. It wasn't repaired until 1954. The big new Sa-
gaing Bridge was completed in 2005.
Shwe-kyet-kya
STUPAS, VIEWPOINT
One of the best places from which to appreciate Sagaing is from across the river at this
little bluff with a cascade of small stupas. It's part of a pair with the bigger Shwe-kyet-
yet on a gentle rise across the road. The name, meaning Golden Fowl's Run, relates to
various curious legends from one of Buddha's supposed past lives…as a chicken.
Northwest of Centre
Kaunghmudaw Paya
STUPA
(Monywa Hwy)
Five miles northwest of central Sagaing, Kaunghmudaw Paya is a vast gil-
ded pudding of a stupa rising 150ft high. It was built in 1636 to commemorate Inwa's re-
establishment as the royal capital. According to local tradition, the king agonised inter-
minably over how to shape the stupa. His queen, tired of hubby's indecisiveness, ripped
open her blouse and, pointing to her breast, said: 'Make it like this!'
Less romantic scholars claim it was actually modelled after the vast Suvarnamali Ma-
haceti (Ruwanwelisaya) stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Kaunghmudaw is distantly
visible from Sagaing Hill and easy to spot as you drive past en route to Monywa. The
surrounding area has many other stupas and is well known for silversmiths.
Ubamin Silverware
SILVER WORKSHOP
( 09 203 1564, 072-21304;
www.ubaminsilverware.com
;
Monywa Highway)
Behind their shop
(2 miles northeast of Sagaing market), Ubamin's artisans hammer, tap and polish remark-
