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Environment
Sagaing lies 21km south-west of Mandalay on the
west bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Sagaing
became the capital of an independent Shan
kingdom around 1315 after the fall of Bagan. Its
period of importance was short, for in 1364 the
founder's grandson, Thado Minbya, moved his
capital across the river to Inwa. From 1760 to
1764, Sagaing was once again the capital. Today,
Sagaing is known as a meditation centre.
Myanmars all over the country would visit
Sagaing for the purpose of religious retreat.
Famous Places In SAGAING
Sagaing
Hill
 Once you
cross the Inwa Bridge, you see the hilltops,
each crested with a pagoda, the banners
proclaiming the Buddha's teaching, the refuge
from all ills and tribulations where over 600
monasteries for monks and nuns are located for
Buddhist studies and meditation. The Padamyazedi
dates from 1300 while the U min Thonze or thirty
caves pagoda has many Buddha images in a
crescent shaped colonnade. Mural paintings can
be seen in the Tilawkaguru cave temple, which
was built around 1672. At the nearby village of
Ywahtaung you can see silver workers producing
bowls and other silver items by traditional
methods. The most impressive Soon Oo Pon Nya
Shin Pagoda nearby was constructed in 1312. The
view of Sagaing from Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin and
its approach is marvelous.
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda
 This huge
pagoda is 10 km beyond the town of Sagaing. The
enormous dome rises 46 m (151 feet) in the shape
of a perfect hemisphere and was modeled after
the Mahaceti Pagoda in Ceylon. Also known as
Rajamanisula, the pagoda was built to
commemorate Inwa's establishment as the royal
capital of Myanmar. Around the base of the
pagoda are stone pillars, each of which is 1.5 m
high. The details of the pagoda's construction
are recorded on them.
Thabyedan
Fort
Just to
the left of Inwa bridge, on the Mandalay and
Inwa side, is the fort of Thabyedan which was
built as a last ditch defense by the Myanmar
before the third Anglo-Myanmar war.
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