Mingun

Genuinely old and majestically worn-down, Mingun is a town sprawling near Ayeyarwady River some 40 kilometers from Mandalay. These days, travelers set out to discover this obsolete destination for one thing: the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi. Legend has it that a Konbaung King set out to build the monumental Mingun temple in the late 18th century. But, it got left uncompleted when an oracle foretold that the completion of the temple would bring the king’s death. If it was finished, the stupa would be the largest in the world with a height of 150 meters. Nevertheless, its unfinished state seems to prove a stronger charm over visitors. An enormous bronze bell designed for the temple now sits on display on the site. For a long time, it was the largest ringing bell in the world.

Not far beyond the Mingun temple lies Myatheindan Pagoda, another wow factor that earns Mingun a place in any Myanmar itinerary. Its beauty is almost improbable, perching on the ground in an ethereal cascade of white. Its designers modeled it after the sacred Mount Meru in Buddhist mythology. It consists of seven terraces, each representing the seven summits below Mount Meru. You will see mythological creatures embellishing the fences as you walk on them. The pagoda serves as a pilgrimage for worshippers who believe the place boasts the power of wish-granting. Many travelers flock to the site for the sheer image of its impeccable architecture.