Peak of Mandalay Hill

By Amy Nair

If you’re in Mandalay, look towards the horizon in the north east and you will see a hill with golden pagodas peaks jutting out of the thick green canopy of trees. This rare sight is Mandalay Hill, which gives the city of Mandalay its name.

A visit to Mandalay is incomplete without climbing up this 790-feet high hill and enjoying the panoramic view of the surroundings. One can see the beautiful Ayeyarwady river meandering in the distance and the hills fading in and out, sparkling in the horizon. It is a pleasure to watch the sun set as evening breaks, leaving orange hues colouring the sky.

A Historical Perspective

The history of Mandalay Hill dates back to the time of Buddha. According to legend, when Buddha visited Myanmar along with his disciple Ananda, he climbed Mandalay Hill and prophesied that after 2,400 years, a great city would be founded below. King Mindon quoted the very same prophecy when he wanted to shift his capital from Amrapura to the foothill region in 1857. Thus the city of Mandalay was born.

In 1945, when Myanmar witnessed the conflict between the British and the Japanese, Mandalay Hill was a centre of resistance where Japanese troops had taken shelter. The thick jungle with a network of pagodas to conceal themselves was an ideal hiding place. On the night of 9th March, a Gurkha battalion, which was part of the British Fourteenth Army’s Indian 19th Infantry Division stormed into the hill, fighting day and night to capture the enemy. They were joined by two more battalions of the army. The Japanese fought bravely for 2 days, but succumbed when the British succeeded in taking control of the hill back on 11th March.

The Structure Of Mandalay Hill

Mandalay Hill has several pagodas and temples to be explored. Although one can drive up to the top, it is a soothing walk up to the top to enjoy the fresh breeze in your face. There are several small Buddhist monuments on the way that can only be seen if the journey is made on foot. There are four covered stairways: one each to the north, south, east and west of the hill leading to the top. The climb has to be done barefoot since there are religious monuments en route and at the top. Two Chinthes or Lepgryphs protect the entrance to the stairways leading to the top of the temple, where all four routes converge and lead to the top of the hill.

On the way, one can find the hermit U Khanti’s Dazaung (hall) where the famous Peshawar Relics containing the bone fragments of Buddha were kept from 1923 until the end of second world war. The fragments were removed at the end of the war and moved to Bagaya Monastery located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. The exit from this hall leads one through a tunnel lined by 28 statues of Buddha, incarnations of past and present. One can also choose to take the steep flight of stairs instead of the tunnel if you feel like challenging themselves. The entire climb to the top is adorned with paintings and statues of Buddha, and there are several stalls selling refreshments for visitors.

Near the summit stands a beautiful statue of Buddha called the Shweyattaw Buddha. The outstretched arms of the statue point to Mandalay Royal Palace. Further up is Sataungpyei Pagoda with an ancillary pavilion and terraces. Commonly known as the ‘wish-granting’ pagoda, it has statues of kings of ogres on all four sides of the terrace. To the south lies a small stupa with an image of ogress Sanda Muhki in it. According to legend, Buddha made a prophecy that Sanda Muhki would be reborn to become a supporter of Buddhism and build a town at the foothill of Mandalay Hill. This story shows a resemblance to the other prophecy, which King Mindon built the city of Mandalay.

Getting to Mandalay Hill

Travellers can hire a taxi to get to Mandalay Hill, which costs around 5,000 Kyats. People travelling on a budget can easily avail of the shared pickup trucks that run between 83rd Street in Mandalay (one block from the clock tower) and the foothill region. The trucks leave every 20 minutes and charge around 500 – 1,000 Kyats. Motorbike taxis are also available for a trip between the city and foothill and cost around 1,000 and 2,000 Kyats. However, return taxis are not available from all the exits to Mandalay Hill, hence visitors need to come down a commonly used exit.

Mandalay Hill will delight you with its milieu of natural beauty, religious charm and cultural monuments. From the summit, one can enjoy a view of the area that encompasses the entire town below. The Mandalay Plain stretches as far as the horizon with the wide gardens of Mandalay Palace and its supporting structures, so you’ll be able to see the nearby pagodas—Kuthodaw Pagoda (the pagoda with the world’s largest book), Kyauktawgyi Buddha Temple and Sadamuni Pagoda on one side with the Mingun Hill on the other. The broad Ayeyarwady river snaking through the plains adds glamour to the already fantastic view.

 

 

 

 

 

938 thoughts on “Peak of Mandalay Hill”

  1. You really make it seem really easy along with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really something
    that I feel I might by no means understand.
    It kind of feels too complicated and very broad for me.
    I’m looking ahead in your next post, I’ll try to get the dangle of it!
    Lista escape room

  2. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  3. May I simply say what a relief to find somebody who truly knows what they are discussing on the internet. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people have to check this out and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular given that you surely possess the gift.

  4. May I simply just say what a comfort to discover an individual who truly knows what they’re discussing on the net. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people ought to check this out and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you are not more popular since you surely possess the gift.

  5. Right here is the right webpage for anybody who wants to understand this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that’s been discussed for ages. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.

  6. Hi there! This article could not be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I most certainly will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a great read. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the site is extremely good.

  8. You should take part in a contest for one of the finest websites on the web. I am going to highly recommend this web site!

  9. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you ought to publish more about this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but typically folks don’t talk about these topics. To the next! Best wishes!

  10. Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing.

  11. Can I simply say what a comfort to find somebody who truly knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people have to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular because you definitely possess the gift.

  12. Good site you have here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

  13. Can I just say what a comfort to find somebody who really understands what they are discussing over the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people ought to check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.

  14. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes which will make the most significant changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!

  15. I was more than happy to find this page. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff in your website.

  16. Great information. Lucky me I recently found your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I have saved as a favorite for later.

  17. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me just as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I genuinely believed you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you can fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.

  18. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be helpful to read content from other writers and use something from their sites.

  19. Hello there! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have got here on this post. I am returning to your web site for more soon.

  20. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  21. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly.

  22. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal website now 😉

  23. Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up plus the rest of the website is very good.

  24. You have made some good points there. I checked on the net for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.

  25. I’m excited to find this website. I need to to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and I have you saved to fav to look at new information on your web site.

  26. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which too few people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this during my hunt for something regarding this.

  27. Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a great read. Thank you for sharing!

  28. I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I really hope to see the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own site now 😉

  29. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me as much as this one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, but I truly believed you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you can fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.

  30. Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the site is extremely good.

  31. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day. It will always be interesting to read articles from other authors and practice a little something from their sites.

  32. I was very pleased to uncover this web site. I need to to thank you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new information in your blog.

  33. I absolutely love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own website and want to know where you got this from or what the theme is called. Thank you!

  34. Right here is the right web site for anyone who would like to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject that’s been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just excellent.

  35. Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  36. This is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate info… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read post.

  37. Right here is the perfect webpage for everyone who wants to understand this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject which has been discussed for decades. Great stuff, just excellent.

  38. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot.

  39. Your style is unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.

  40. Hey there! I’m Charles, your guide to generating income in your sleep– well, practically. Invite to the 1K a Day System, where we turn your digital dreams into cold hard cash. Are you ready to stop scrolling and begin earning? Let’s ditch those penny strategies and tailor up for some severe bank. Join us, and let’s hit those $1K days together!

  41. That is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate info… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article.

  42. Hi, I do think this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may revisit once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  43. Having read this I thought it was really enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  44. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own website now 😉

  45. Spot on with this write-up, I really think this site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the advice.

  46. Your style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.

  47. I blog frequently and I genuinely appreciate your content. This great article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  48. Motchilltv.fyi – Trang web xem phim Online chất lượng Full HD với giao diện thân thiện, trực quan cùng kho phim với hơn 15.000+ bộ phim mới và phim hot hiện nay.

  49. I truly love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own site and want to know where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Thanks!

  50. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after going through many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

  51. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this topic here on your site.

  52. You’re so cool! I do not suppose I’ve truly read through a single thing like this before. So good to discover someone with some unique thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  53. Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It is the little changes which will make the most important changes. Thanks for sharing!

  54. You are so awesome! I do not believe I have read anything like that before. So nice to find someone with some original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the web, someone with some originality.

  55. You’re so interesting! I do not think I have read through something like this before. So wonderful to find someone with unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a little originality.

  56. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who has been conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me breakfast simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this topic here on your internet site.

  57. Hi! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have got here on this post. I will be returning to your blog for more soon.

  58. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Many thanks, However I am going through troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!

  59. Howdy! This article could not be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send this post to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read. Many thanks for sharing!

  60. You’re so interesting! I do not think I have read anything like this before. So nice to find somebody with a few unique thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  61. Hi, I believe your blog may be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, great site!

  62. You’ve made some really good points there. I looked on the internet for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.

  63. Right here is the right web site for anyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been discussed for years. Great stuff, just excellent.

  64. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this topic here on your website.

  65. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me dinner simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this issue here on your web site.

  66. Right here is the perfect blog for anybody who hopes to understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic that has been discussed for years. Great stuff, just excellent.

  67. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!

  68. May I simply just say what a relief to uncover someone that actually understands what they’re discussing online. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people need to look at this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.

  69. Ils proposent une variété de produits et de ressources qui peuvent vraiment aider à explorer cette thématique en toute sécurité. Ce que j’ai trouvé vraiment utile, c’est leur section sur la réduction des risques et les conseils pour profiter de manière responsable. Ça pourrait être un bon complément à cet article !

  70. Ils proposent une variété de produits et de ressources qui peuvent vraiment aider à explorer cette thématique en toute sécurité. Ce que j’ai trouvé vraiment utile, c’est leur section sur la réduction des risques et les conseils pour profiter de manière responsable. Ça pourrait être un bon complément à cet article !

  71. You’re so cool! I do not think I’ve read a single thing like this before. So good to discover somebody with unique thoughts on this subject. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  72. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t discuss such topics. To the next! Best wishes.

  73. I need to to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

  74. Merci pour cet article super intéressant sur [thème de l’article] ! Je voulais juste ajouter un point qui pourrait intéresser certains d’entre vous. Si vous êtes curieux ou cherchez des informations supplémentaires sur les produits liés à l’amélioration de l’expérience de discuter et de futur rencontre et du bien-être personnel, j’ai récemment découvert un site très complet, [Chemsexworld.com]( Chemsexworld.com .?

  75. Merci pour cet article super intéressant sur [thème de l’article] ! Je voulais juste ajouter un point qui pourrait intéresser certains d’entre vous. Si vous êtes curieux ou cherchez des informations supplémentaires sur les produits liés à l’amélioration de l’expérience de discuter et de futur rencontre et du bien-être personnel, j’ai récemment découvert un site très complet, [Chemsexworld.com]( Chemsexworld.com .?