Sagaing

In Sagaing Hill, Buddhist monasteries and pagodas pop up from the ground like mushrooms wherever you turn your gaze. It is the country’s undisputed religious center, rising in value each day as more than 3,000 monks nourish from its fertility, sanctify its land, and call it home. Beyond that, the city offers an evocative view with an emerald blanket of trees peppered by golden stupas soaring in excellence. The familiar shine of the Irrawaddy River is a brilliant addition. Sagaing brings together just the right dose of everything that makes Myanmar a once-in-a-lifetime destination.

The city huddles 600 monasteries, temples, and pagodas. While no one, in particular, stands out amongst others, almost every traveler will agree that Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin prevails in terms of splendor. It features a 30-meter golden-gilded stupa that is simply magnificent. The unabashed resplendence continues in the main hall. There, a larger-than-life image of the Buddha greets visitors. Another sanctuary worthy of a visit is U Min Thone Sae, perhaps the most intriguing of all pagodas in Myanmar. What makes it so unusual is that it is a marvelous cave temple. It nestles 45 images of the seated Buddha aligned in a perfect crescent.

Sagaing is a city to explore on foot unless you have a specific attraction in mind. The temples each present a unique element of Burmese architecture, and countless traditions come to life inside them. Walkable paths meander through them peacefully, taking visitors up to viewpoints that overlook some of the best views in Myanmar. Take a day trip to this dreamy land of sanctuaries, and you will see its many charms unravel for yourself.