Today we will explore the magnificent city of Mandalay.We’ll kick off our exploration with an enjoyable journey to the sprawling Shwe Inn Bin Monastery. Constructed in 1895 of teak wood with a beautiful tiered roof and exquisite carvings, the monastery is representative of traditional Burmese style and home to over 30 monks. After spending some time here, we will head to the beautiful Mahamuni Temple. Here lays the holiest Buddha artefact in Mandalay.
We will then move on to visit a marble carving workshop where we will have the unique opportunity to see workers practicing this traditional trade and hand carving spectacular Buddha images. We will take the time to visit a few other workshops where we can learn about ancient royal handicrafts, tapestry and puppet making before a lunch break at a local tea shop.
After a delicious local lunch, we will continue our explorations at a gold leaf production house where we can learn about this ancient craft and make some for ourselves.
This afternoon we will visit Shwenandaw Monastery, the ‘golden palace’. A grand example of 19th Century Burmese architecture, the monastery is beautifully gilded with gold, adorned with glass mosaic and home to impressive carvings of Buddhist myths.
Our next stop will be the Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world’s largest book and made out of stunning marble tablets.
Then climb up to the Mandalay Hill to see sunset on the Irrawaddy River and Mandalay City view.
Overnight at Mandalay.