An exploration of Mandalay’s streets, food and temples is not complete without paying a visit to Myanmar’s ancient capitals. The thirst to witness first hand these mysterious sites and its structures should be acknowledged and followed.

Reserve a day for this trip best done with a motorbike. It’s Asia and well, travel in a motorbike for a different adventure. I hate riding a motorcycle in Jakarta but in a different place and time, I embrace it with gusto.  As you leave the city proper to reach these spots, a short visit to Maharani Paya Temple is a must.  Remember that you are there to see the temple but will definitely get distracted along the way with all things Myanmar (and Thai) as the vendors try to sell you their wares.  Never pushy but just a welcoming smile and invitation to have a look.  As always, if something interests you, haggle, but do not haggle too low.  The vendors also need to make a living.

A temple full with men and women with everyone dynamically moving around is the first view that will catch your attention.  The temple has a 13 foot Buddha covered in tiny gold leaves and women and children  can be seen praying with thanaka on their cheeks that serves as a sunblock.

Walking around the temple grounds will provide a sense of peace as the women can be seen praying fervently and connecting with each other.

 

As you head out of the city, you will catch plenty of Buddha carvings bidding you a safe trip.  My motorcycle driver was quite proud to show the places that needs to be seen.  He stopped in almost every temple along the way.  Just inform him to head straight to Sagaing  to witness the monks in the monastery at 9:00 a.m. as they finish breakfast.

Sagaing

Located in the Ayeyarwaddy River, the skyline looks like a green patch interrupted by pointed specks of gold and white.  The ceaseless number of pagodas and temples can make your head spin.  No, you don’t have to visit each one of them lest you come to a point where you get sick of just the sight of it.   Look from afar and then look closely as if you are looking at a painting.  In short, choose the ones that interest you.

Anwa

Realistically speaking and based on experience, skip this.  Temples, check. Ruins, check. Horse-pulled cart, check. Monastery ruins, check.  In short, a tourist trap.  Once you get on that boat that takes you to the other side, there’s no turning back.  If travelling solo, you are not given any chance to share or even talk to others.  No haggling, as they know you have no choice.  Personally, you don’t need to go here, unless you want see more temples.  You’ve been warned.

Amarapura

The most photographed bridge – U Bein Bridge, is also considered as the world’s longest teak bridge.  It has more than 1,000 wooden poles salvaged from unwanted teak columns from the old palace totaling 1.3 km in length.  People believe that couples who cross over the bridge and back will stay together forever.

Get your camera ready for the sunset.  However, even without the sunset, the surrounding area merits photographs as well.  Fisherman in action, tourists waiting for the sunset and people coming back from work are just some of the things that will feed your lens until sunset.