Private Tour

From Mandalay: Full Day Excursion To Monywa

Overview

Available languages

English

11 hours

Mobile ticket

When in Mandalay, it is very worthwhile to take a visit to Monywa, which lies on the banks of the Chindwin River and northwest of Mandalay. Marvel at the architecture of the amazing Thanbuddhay Pagoda and Cave Temple at Pho Win Taung.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Excursions to the cave temples of Pho Win Taung which is famous for their Buddha statues, mural paintings and woodcarvings.

• Visit to Thanbuddhay Pagoda, another highly important attraction completed in 1951 after 12 years of construction with over 800 small Buddha Stupas on and around the pagoda. There are also reportedly 582, 357 Buddha statues on the ceiling, walls, archways and the niches in an on the temple compound.

• There are also reportedly 582, 357 Buddha statues on the ceiling, walls, archways and the niches in an on the temple compound.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Due to the current political unrest situation in those area, we currently do not recommend this tour until further notice. Permissions are required from the local authorities to visit those areas. (Updated on 26 May 2025)

As you will be visiting religious sites, please wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and remember to take off your shoes and socks when entering pagoda areas.

This tour is not available during the Water Festival period between 12 to 18 Apr. During this time, everything in town is closed: restaurants, shops, markets, Museum, etc. Driving through Yangon is extremely difficult if not impossible because people celebrate the famous water-festival. You cannot avoid of getting very wet because everyone throws water at everybody. People drive through the city in open cars and there are stages along the street where people throw water. Everybody going up will get very wet.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Lunch at local restaurant,

Private sightseeing with an English speaking guide & air-conditioned vehicle

Pick-up and drop off from/to your Hotel in Mandalay

Snow towel & 1 Bottle of purified drinking water

Hotel accommodation

Services not mentioned in our itinerary

Mandalay Zone Fee

What To Expect

Phowintaung

In the early morning approximately 07:00 A.M., our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Mandalay, and then drive to Monywa (150 km – approx. 2 hours). Arrive Monywa and continue to visit a sandstone cave system in the Pho Win Hills, named after a famous 'zawgyi' (alchemist) who once lived here. The Caves of Pho Win Taung, numbering more than one hundred, are full of Buddhist statues and murals. Most exhibit the Innwa style but some may date from the 14th Century. Nearby, visit Shwe Ba Taung which features unique pavilions cut from the surrounding sandstone and filled with Buddha images. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

6 hours • Admission Included

Thanboddhay Paya

Then visit Moenyin Thanboddhay Pagoda, which is about 20 Kilometers from Monywa. The richly decorated central stupa has no less than 845 smaller stupas around it. Inside the patio, you will see thousands of Buddha images (reportedly over 500,000) decorating every wall, archway and niche. The buildings in the compound have interesting jataka relieves and there is a huge Reclining Buddha (Shwe Thar Lyaung Pagoda) nearby.

2 hours • Admission Included