Day trip to Mingun - activities in Mingun, Mandalay | Burma

Day trip to Mingun - activities in Mingun, Mandalay | Burma

A Mingun day trip from Mandalay via the Irrawaddy River to see the archaeological sights is a must for everyone who visits the city. Here you will find a complete guide with everything you need to know, as well as a list of the best activities in Mingun after your arrival.

A day trip from Mandalay to Mingun is a popular destination for those who want to see the spectacular Hsinbyume pagoda (white pagoda) and the Mingun Pahtodawgyi (Mingun Pagoda).

• Alt = "Mingun Pahtodawgyi Pagoda Myanmar">
• Alt = "The best things in Mingun, Mandalay, Hsinbyume-Pagoda">
• Alt = "White Pagoda in Mingun, Myanmar, Taxi">

How to come to Mingun:

Before I go into the list of activities in Mingun, here are your possibilities that you get here.

Tourist fee for Mingun: 5000 Kyat, payable near the jetty in Mingun.

1. Mingun and sagaing day tour

The easiest way to get to Mingun is to book an organized tour from Mandalay. I usually prefer the independent options, but after I have researched a little, I found this tour, which offers a really good price-performance ratio.

For about $ 36 you will receive a full 9.5-hour tour from Sagaing and Mingun, including transport and a stopover for all Mingun attractions and highlights in this blog.

2. Mandalay to Mingun with the boat

Another option is to simply climb the public ferry from Mingun Jetty in Mandalay to Mingun. I marked the location for the bridge on the map below.

Remember: you have to bring your passport to book a ferry ticket. Don't forget it!

The Mandalay boat to Mingun takes about 1.5 hours and is usually a very quiet journey up the Irrawaddy River.

Mingun boat price

The cost of a mingun boat is 5000 Kyat (USD 3.50) per person and route. Most boats on the muzzle plan fill with enough passengers to drive off. In the low season, however, the boats only take off if they have at least six passengers. In this case you have to split the total cost of 30,000 Kyat for departure.

Mingun Jetty Template

Unfortunately, the only public boat drives to Mingun at 9 a.m. The same boat lines up in Mingun and you have to be back on board at 12:30 p.m. for the return trip, which returns to Mandalay around 2:00 p.m. I would recommend being there at least 20 minutes before departure.

Private boat to Mingun from Mandalay

If you prefer a private boat to Mingun, you can talk to the agents at Mingun Jetty who organize one for you for 30,000 Kyat per route.
Alt = “Mingun River Boot from Mandalay, Myanmar”> Typical Mingun-Boat
Alt = “Mingun Jetty Boat Trip from Mandalay, things to do in Mingun,“> Mingun investment office

not missed: From Mandalay to the Inle Sea

3. Taxi or grave

Another way to get to Mingun on a day trip is to pay a taxi driver or get a driver who brings you to Mingun.

35,000 Kyat should cover the rental of a taxis or a souvenir for a whole day. Just ask the driver to wait for you as soon as you arrive in Mingun.

Taking a taxi is a good choice if you are not sure when driving a motorcycle and would rather come to Mingun for sunrise or stay at the sunset.

TIP: Use Bookaway to find the cheapest bus lines and offers in Myanmar.

4. Rent a motorcycle

Exploring Mandalay for the greatest possible freedom to explore Mingun and other attractions, renting a motorcycle is a good option. Mandalay's streets are much more relaxed than other big cities in Southeast Asia, so if you are confident, you shouldn't have too many problems.

To rent a motorcycle in Mandalay, ask your hostel or hotel staff and you should be able to point them in the right direction. Visit Rentalcars.com for rental cars.

Mingun card

Below I recorded all the Mingun attractions that you must have seen on a user-friendly card.

Activities in Mingun-The best pages

Okay, after that is cleared out of the way, we come to the list of things that are to be done in Mingun. Most of these sights can be reached on foot so that you can explore Mingun on foot and at your own pace.

1. Hsinbyume pagoda

The Hsinbyume Pagoda, also known as Mya Thein Tan Pagoda or "White Pagoda", is one of the most unique and beautiful pagodas in Myanmar, and that means something.

This unique pagoda is completely white and shaped in a round pattern that resembles the holy Buddhist mountain. Berg Mera.

You are free to explore the Hsinbyume pagoda without a guide. Just remember to turn off your shoes at the entrance.
Alt = “Weisse Mingun Pagoda,“> Hsinbyume Pagoda (Mya Thein Tan)-The White Pagoda

2. Mingun Pahtodawgyi (Mingun Paya)

In my opinion, the Hsinbyume Pagoda is more beautiful than the main attraction in Mingun; The Mingun Pahtodawgyi or Mingun Paya. However, the latter tends to get more attention, since its completion would be the largest stupa in the world. Regardless of this, visiting the Pahtodawgyi Pagoda is one of the best activities in Mingun.

The Mingun Pagoda is a destroyed structure that started in 1790 by King Bodawpaya. It was badly damaged by a great earthquake about 180 years ago.

Unfortunately, only the base, which is about 50 meters high, was completed only a third of the planned height of 150 meters.

You can go up the steps and enter the face of the building, where there is a small tribute box.
Alt = “Mingun Pahtodawgyi Pagoda Myanmar, Mingun day trip”> Mingun Pahtodawgyi

3. Steinlöwen

Another remarkable ruin on a day trip to Mingun are the Chinthe ruins, which are colloquially referred to as "lions made of stone".

These huge lion sculptures were originally built to guard the Hsinbyume pagoda. Due to erosion and earthquake damage, the stone lions are almost no longer recognizable today. However, it is still possible to recognize some fine carved details.
Alt = “Lions of Stone Chinthe Ruin in Mingun, Myanmar, things to do in Mingun”> Steinlöwen in Mingun

4. Mingun bell

Another of the best activities in Mingun is to look at the Mingun bell. This 90 -ton bronze bell was the heaviest bell on earth until 2000 and is still one of the largest and most serious unknown bells in the world.

The weight of the bell is 55,555 in VISS, a traditional Burmese measure. This number is important in Buddhist numerology and is on the side of the bell.

For those who visit Mingun, you can admire it from a distance or even stand under it (you just don't want someone to ring it while you are there).

• Alt = "Burmese Mönch near Mingun Bell">
• Alt = "Mingun Glocke, Myanmar">

5. Pondaw pagoda

If you want to have an approximate idea of ​​what the Mingun Pahtodawgyi would have looked like if it had been completely seen, you can drop by the Pondaw Pagoda. This small, white pagoda does the structure of the Pahtodawgyi.

6. Sat-Taw-Yar pagoda

Another Mingun attraction and one of the things you should see on a Mingun day trip is the satellite-TAW YAR pagoda.

This is another white pagoda, supplemented by beautiful golden towers.

You will find the Sat-Taw Yar Pagoda north of the Mingun-Docks.
Alt = “Sat Taw Yar Pagoda from the White Pagoda in Mingun”>

where in Mandalay

Where I stayed: Ostello Bello Mandalayostello Bello is a chain of hostels in Myanmar, which I personally love. Great prices, good atmosphere and always clean rooms and comfortable berths.

Budget Hotel-Aurora Hotel Hotel with a good price-performance ratio in a good location, which makes it easy to explore Mandalay. Free breakfast is also a bonus here.

Best luxury/value mix: Hilton Mandalaybe she always wanted to spend the night in a Hilton hotel, but the prices in other Asian cities were too high is their chance here. Luxury hotel experience at a small price!

• Alt = "Hsinbyume Pagoda on a Mingun day excursion from Mandalay">
• Alt = "The best things in Mingun, Mandalay, Hsinbyume-Pagoda">

Further activities near Mandalay

I hope that this guide was helpful for the best activities in Mingun in planning your Mandalay day trip! More travel guides and articles on Myanmar can be found in the following list.

enjoy!

My camera and photo equipment

• Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
• drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
• landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
• all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
• Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
• landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
• Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
Alt = “Day trip to Mingun - activities in Mingun, Mandalay”>

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