Sagaing, Inwa and Amarapura
A must do in Mandalay is exploring the three main areas located on the outskirt of the city: Sagaing, Inwa (locally known as Ava) and Amarapura.
Most tourist book a private tour for the three ancient cities. As for us, a better way to learn about Myanmar culture and tradition, and a better way to explore these places of interest was to rent a scooter. We didn't regret our choice. We didn't want to join the touristic trail of taxi-monastery-boat-horse-drawn-carriage-temples-u-bein-bridge-taxi.
The Ride to Sagaing
We rode for almost two hours stopping regularly to admire the scenery. We passed Amarapura and its magnificent lake. Further down, we drove up to Sagaing and Sagaing hill. We entered the U Min Thonze Caves. The name was a bit misleading as there are no caves but "just" a temple with dozen statues of Buddha aligned in a row along a crescent-shaped hallway. The panoramic view of the golden stupas dotting the Sagaing hills was worth the effort to have come so far though.
Inwa: An Island of Ruins
We jumped back on the scooter and set off for Inwa, an artificial island full of crumbling ruins and charming inhabitants. We skipped the boat by driving further south to cross the Inwa bridge. We saved a few bucks on the ferry. Thank 'scooter'. Then we got lost in Inwa and its intriguing traditional rural villages. We came across so many smiles from the locals that we fell in love with the place.
Eventually, we joined the hordes of tourists being dragged from one place to another. Thanks to our scooter, we were free to go where we wanted. We still visited two of the main attractions. The Maha Aung Mye Bon San monastery which was designed as a stucco-covered brick replica of typical wooden monasteries of the age and a rare survivor from the Ava era. And, the Bagaya monastery which was a splendid piece of craft. Both places were stunning but overcrowded by tourists. Luckily, we were on a motorbike and we could wander off the beaten track.
U Bein Bridge at Sunset
We finished the day by the must-see U Bein Bridge, one of the most photographed sites in Myanmar. The world's longest teak footbridge stretches out for over a kilometre long across the shallow Thaungthaman Lake. We walked on and under the bridge and found a perfect spot to admire the dramatic sunset.
Tips for exploring the ancient cities
- Rent a scooter! Best way to explore with freedom. Skip the touristy taxi-boat-horse-carriage circuit. Scooter rentals available in Mandalay (~$10-15/day). International driving license recommended.
- Three cities route: Start with Amarapura (beautiful lake), then Sagaing (golden stupas on hills), finally Inwa (rural island with ruins). Plan for full day (~80km total).
- Sagaing Hill: U Min Thonze temple with crescent-shaped hallway of Buddha statues. Panoramic views of golden stupas. Not actually caves despite the name!
- Inwa highlights: Maha Aung Mye Bon San monastery (brick replica of wooden monasteries) and Bagaya monastery (stunning teak craftsmanship). Can be crowded - scooter lets you escape tourist groups!
- Skip Inwa ferry: Drive south on scooter to cross Inwa bridge instead. Saves money and time. Locals are incredibly friendly - you'll get many smiles!
- U Bein Bridge sunset: World's longest teak footbridge (1.2km). Most photographed spot in Myanmar. Arrive early to find good sunset viewing spot. Walk on AND under the bridge for different perspectives.
- Getting lost is good: Wander off the beaten path in Inwa's rural villages. Some of the best experiences come from unplanned discoveries and local encounters!
- Fuel up: Fill your scooter tank before leaving Mandalay. Gas stations available but not frequent. Bring water and sunscreen - it gets hot!
Note:
Pin These Moments
🌅 U Bein Sunset Magic
Walking the world's longest teak footbridge at sunset - one of Myanmar's most iconic and photographed moments.
🛵 Scooter Freedom
Exploring three ancient cities on a scooter - avoiding tourist circuits and discovering rural Myanmar at your own pace.
✨ Sagaing Golden Hills
Panoramic views of hundreds of golden stupas dotting the hills - a breathtaking spiritual landscape.
Have you explored Sagaing, Inwa and Amarapura? Did you rent a scooter or join a tour? Did you watch sunset at U Bein Bridge? Leave us your comments below. We would love to hear from you.