Mingun
Mingun is a Village located 12 kilometers up stream from Mandalay on the Irrawaddy River. It is the site of two remarkable temples - the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, a massive brick structure, and the Mya Theindan Pagoda, a white and wild piece of architecture.
In order to get to Mingun we need to charter a boat at the busy Mandalay waterfront.
We choose this one and worked out the deal - about $20 for the day.
The captain and his family crew. The boat is named Kvawkyawyeto. Don't try to say that three times quickly...
The trip takes about 90 minutes upstream.
Final approach displays the formal arrival staircase painted white, the massive Pahtodawgyi Pagoda behind those stairs, and the white tip of the tower of the Theindan Pagoda to the far right.
First look around on land.
On the entry steps.
View from the top of the steps.
Above the formal arrival stairs we are greeted with tour guide wannabes. Behind them is the Pagoda.
Closer
This structure is so large, it is breath-taking. Constructed of large bricks until 1790, it was supposed to reach 450 ft in height. Never completed, it was heavily damaged in an earthquake in 1838. It still is enormous, over 150 ft tall over a large footprint. This from the east side.
The east entrance to the Pagoda.
The altar inside the entrance.
A south side view
Just outside the Pagoda is a small building housing this enormous bell. This was intended to go into the Pagoda, which was never finished. This bell is the largest intact, ringing bell in the world. It weighs 90 tons. Not bad for the late 1700s, in this small village.
View from the top of the brick Pagoda. The white temple in the far left is the Mya Theindan Pagoda - our next destination.
First, we go back to the waterfront to hire an ox cart taxi.
Headed north to the Mya Theindan Pagoda. Ouch, this ride is really rough on the backside.
The entrance to the Pagoda compound.
A beautiful piece of architectural detail.
Up the interior staircase.
Looking east to the river.
Looking south, back at the brick pile. The village of Mingun is further to the south, beyond the Pagoda.
Heading into the village.
First stop is this little home where a small beauty parlor is managed by the female of the house.
Faye gets the full facial, with typical rice powder applied in decorative strokes with a toothbrush.
Back to the village tour - this is the local factory for making wooden shoe soles. A man's industry. Under someone's home.
Another under the house factory - rolling cigars. A woman's industry...
Some of the kids that followed us during our village visit.
The main street of the village is actually paved.
Main Street looking south.
Perfect posture. Time for us to head back to our boat.
As the sun drops low, we set sail for Mandalay and say goodbye to Mingun...