Mandalay Hill - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Kuthodaw Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa, located at the foot of Mandalay Hill in Mandalay, Myanmar. It was built during the reign of King Mindon Min who had the pagoda built as part of the traditional foundations of the new royal city of Mandalay in 1857. Kuthodaw and Sandamuni Pagodas are home to the world’s largest books, consisting of hundreds of inscribed standing stone pages.

The Sandamuni pagoda in Mandalay is known for its large golden zedi, its hundreds of shrines containing inscribed marble slabs and the largest iron Buddha image in Burma, the Sandamani, after which it is named. The pagoda was built as a memorial to crown Prince Kanaung, who was murdered in 1866 by two of King Mindon Min’s sons, who were unhappy not to be the first in line to become the next King. The bodies of the crown Prince and three of his sons who were also killed were entombed on the Sanda

Yadanabon Zoological Gardens is a zoo, which is situated in Mandalay, Myanmar. It plays an important role in the conservation program of the highly endangered Burmese Roofed Turtle. It was located at the bottom of Mandalay Hill. There are nearly 300 animals, which include elephant, tigers and leopards. Yadanabon Zoo participates in the breeding program of the highly endangered Burmese Roofed Turtle.

Shwenandaw Monastery is a historic Buddhist monastery located near Mandalay Hill, Mandalay Region, Myanmar. It was built in 1878 by King Thibaw Min. The monastery is known for its teak carvings of Buddhist myths, which adorn its walls and roofs. The monastery is built in the traditional Burmese architectural style. Shwenandaw Monastery is the single remaining major original structure of the original Royal Palace today.

The Mandalay Royal Palace is the last Palace built by the Burmese Royals. On the large complex are dozens of buildings including audience halls, throne halls, a monastery, a watchtower, a court building, a tooth relic building, and a library where the Buddhist scriptures were kept. It was one of the renowned structure in this region and is also a famous place among tourists.

The pagoda was built by King Pagan Min in 1847, on the site of his former summer house where he used to live as a prince of the royal family before he became king in 1846 and ascended the throne in Amarapura. The pagoda houses a Buddha statue that was brought from India in 1839. The Buddhist monastery situated around the pagoda is called Ein Daw Yar Monastery. Standing 35M tall the pagoda is covered in goldleaf which makes for a stunning sight on a sunny day.