Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Namtu Rd)
South of the central area, Mahamyatmuni Paya is the biggest and grandest pa-
goda in town. The large brass-faced Buddha was inspired by the famous Mahamuni
Buddha in Mandalay. He's now backed by an acid-trip halo of pulsating coloured lights
that would seem better suited to a casino.
Myauk Myo
NEIGHBOURHOOD
At the northern edge of town, Hsipaw's oldest neighbourhood has a village-like atmo-
sphere, two delightful teak monasteries and a collection of ancient brick stupas known
locally as
Little Bagan
. The wooden
Madahya Monastery
looks especially impressive
when viewed from across the palm-shaded pond of the
Bamboo Buddha Monastery
(Maha Nanda Kantha). The 150-year-old Buddha is made from lacquered bamboo strips,
now hidden beneath layers of gold.
Around and behind lie a few clumps of ancient brick stupas, some overwhelmed by
vegetation in vaguely Angkor Wat style. The nickname for this area, Little Bagan,
blatantly overplays the size and extent of the sites but the area is undoubtedly charming.
To get here cross the big bridge on Namtu Rd heading north. Turn first left at the po-
lice station, then first right and fork left. Take this lane across the railway track then fol-
low the main track as it wiggles.
To return by an alternative route, take the unpaved track east behind the Bamboo
Buddha monastery, rapidly passing
Eissa Paya
(where one stupa has a tree growing out
of it). You'll emerge near
Sao Pu Sao Nai
, a colourful shrine dedicated to the guardian
nat
of Hsipaw. Rather than turning left into the shrine, turn right and you'll reach Namtu
Rd a little north of the railway.
Sunset Hill
VIEWPOINT
For sweeping views across the river and Hsipaw, climb to
Thein Daung Pagoda
, also
known as Nine Buddha Hill or, most popularly, Sunset Hill. It's part of a steep ridge that
rises directly behind the Lashio road, around 1½ miles south of Hsipaw.
Cross the new river bridge, follow the main road left then take the laterite track that
starts with a triple-crowned temple gateway around 300m beyond. There's a small Eng-
lish sign at the gateway. The climb takes around 15 minutes.
Bawgyo Paya
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Five miles west of Hsipaw, beside the Hsipaw-Kyaukme road (you'll get a brief glimpse
of it from the right-hand side of any Kyaukme- or Mandalay-bound bus), this pagoda is
of great significance to Shan people and gets overloaded with pilgrims who arrive en
