Photo Tour around Mandalay and Pwin Oo Lwin

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Despite the pollution overpowering much of Mandalay, we found beauty both in and around the city.

 
these people charge you to release a bird. what they don't tell you is the birds are trained to fly back to the cage when you leave. (we didn't fall for this, but others did)
these people charge you to release a bird. what they don't tell you is the birds are trained to fly back to the cage when you leave. (we didn't fall for this, but others did)

 
looking out from U Bein's bridge
looking out from U Bein's bridge

 

 
Boats light up the river under U Bein's bridge in the background
Boats light up the river under U Bein's bridge in the background

 
novice monks on the world's longest teak bridge
novice monks on the world's longest teak bridge

 
We could have also hired a boat, but then we wouldn't have had all these great views of boats
We could have also hired a boat, but then we wouldn't have had all these great views of boats

 

 
Flowers on head
Flowers on head

 
Monks and novice nuns walking together
Monks and novice nuns walking together

 

 
more monks on the world's longest teak bridge
more monks on the world's longest teak bridge

 
great colors over the water
great colors over the water

 
but the actual setting of the sun was disappointing due to the Mandalay smog
but the actual setting of the sun was disappointing due to the Mandalay smog

 

 

 

 
after a huge climb North of Mandalay towards Pyin Oo Lwin, we stopped to flush the radiator with fresh water
after a huge climb North of Mandalay towards Pyin Oo Lwin, we stopped to flush the radiator with fresh water

 
but don't worry… everyone had to do it. although the engine was klanging quite a bit just before we got here
but don't worry… everyone had to do it. although the engine was klanging quite a bit just before we got here

 
we had front row seats in the pickup. somehow i think we were better off in the back
we had front row seats in the pickup. somehow i think we were better off in the back

 
Safeway in a remote town in Burma? No way… This sign has to have floated across the Pacific
Safeway in a remote town in Burma? No way… This sign has to have floated across the Pacific

 

 
a broad view of the National Kandawgyi Gardens of Pyin Oo Lwin
a broad view of the National Kandawgyi Gardens of Pyin Oo Lwin

 
some sort of superhero chicken? looks like he's wearing a red velvet mask
some sort of superhero chicken? looks like he's wearing a red velvet mask

 
some monkeys came in close to visit. this gray one was particularly interested
some monkeys came in close to visit. this gray one was particularly interested

 
until Lina scared him into the trees
until Lina scared him into the trees

 
This girl wanted a picture with Lina, so we got one too. Lina, the "giant" 5'3" girl.
This girl wanted a picture with Lina, so we got one too. Lina, the "giant" 5'3" girl.

 
now that is one "high class" cow
now that is one "high class" cow

 
"feel your dreams come true" at Golden Dream hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin. In fact, this was the worst place we stayed in Burma
"feel your dreams come true" at Golden Dream hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin. In fact, this was the worst place we stayed in Burma

 
Anti-Aging Beer?
Anti-Aging Beer?

 
Lina in a cave full of Buddhas
Lina in a cave full of Buddhas

 

 

 
waterfall, stupa, and curry stall. what more can a waterfall 45 min from the road need?
waterfall, stupa, and curry stall. what more can a waterfall 45 min from the road need?

 
on our way back to Mandalay from Pyin Oo Lwin, our pickup was more packed. perhaps because it was all downhill
on our way back to Mandalay from Pyin Oo Lwin, our pickup was more packed. perhaps because it was all downhill

 
I think this guy could have carried a few more boxes
I think this guy could have carried a few more boxes

 
Streets of Mandalay
Streets of Mandalay

 
Nuns of Mandalay. They were collecting alms from the bank?
Nuns of Mandalay. They were collecting alms from the bank?

 
More Nuns of Mandalay
More Nuns of Mandalay

 
Mahamuni Paya, the most holy Buddha shrine in Burma
Mahamuni Paya, the most holy Buddha shrine in Burma

 
Processions of families came in, dressed in their best traditional garb
Processions of families came in, dressed in their best traditional garb

 

 
Most families would sit in this area for a photo. Females were not allowed in the main chamber with Buddha
Most families would sit in this area for a photo. Females were not allowed in the main chamber with Buddha

 

 
Balancing of an offering
Balancing of an offering

 
And yes, the place was so holy that I had to cover my knees. A traditional longyi was available at the south gate for free with deposit of my shoes
And yes, the place was so holy that I had to cover my knees. A traditional longyi was available at the south gate for free with deposit of my shoes

 
I was allowed in. Lina had to stay back.
I was allowed in. Lina had to stay back.

 
Traditional garb does not mean comfort. Especially in the 100 degree heat of Mandalay
Traditional garb does not mean comfort. Especially in the 100 degree heat of Mandalay

 

 
huge bronze figures stolen from Angkor Wat
huge bronze figures stolen from Angkor Wat

 

 

 
Based on how polluted this canal looked. I wonder if this was a dumping zone for barrels
Based on how polluted this canal looked. I wonder if this was a dumping zone for barrels

 
Pedestrians definitely don't have the right of way in Burma
Pedestrians definitely don't have the right of way in Burma

 
Me and our cheerful pedicab driver
Me and our cheerful pedicab driver

 

 
Sandamani Paya
Sandamani Paya

 
The world's biggest book: 1774 stupas at Sandamani contained marble slabs engraved with the teachings of Buddha
The world's biggest book: 1774 stupas at Sandamani contained marble slabs engraved with the teachings of Buddha

 
The stupas glow in the sunset
The stupas glow in the sunset

 
on the steps of Mandalay Hill looking back at Sandamani Paya
on the steps of Mandalay Hill looking back at Sandamani Paya

 

 

 

 
the palace of Mandalay lit up at night. reflections in the moat.
the palace of Mandalay lit up at night. reflections in the moat.

 
so the Mandalay airport had jetways. but we walked down steps at the jetway to take a bus 300 ft to the plane
so the Mandalay airport had jetways. but we walked down steps at the jetway to take a bus 300 ft to the plane

More Mandalay

For help planning a budget trip to Mandalay, check out our tips for backpacking Mandalay.

What was your favorite photo? Let us know in the comments!