Summary
The awesome Mingun Pagoda (also known as the Pahtodawgyi ruins) is one of the most interesting attractions near Mandalay, Myanmar. This giant unfinished monument from 18th century Burma was intended to be the largest temple in the country. Fortunately, it is quite easy to access from Mandalay with a short ferry ride over the Irrawaddy River. This travel guide will explain how to reach this historic site and everything you need to know before your visit!
What Is It?
The Mingun Pagoda was a temple project initiated by the eccentric Burmese King Bodawpaya in 1790. However, due to escalating costs and superstition, the building was never completed. A prevailing legend claimed that if the temple were finished, it would lead to the destruction of the king and his country. Unsurprisingly, this notion frightened the king, which resulted in the complete abandonment of the construction of Mingun Pagoda.
An earthquake in 1839 caused even more destruction, creating rubble and giant cracks in the walls that can still be observed in Pahtodawgyi today. The building stands at 50 meters tall, but the final pagoda was intended to reach over 150 meters (500 feet). Had it been completed, it would have been the world’s largest stupa, potentially holding other records as well!
If you have visited the famous Burmese pagodas at Old Bagan, you can imagine how magnificent this building would have been had it reached its full size. Consequently, it would have been a wonder of the world. Instead, it remains an impressive pile of bricks steeped in history!
Mingun Pagoda – What To Expect
At the Mingun Pagoda, visitors will find a footpath that encircles the building, allowing for ample opportunities to admire and capture photos of its exterior. You can also ascend a flight of stairs to reach the top and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
The time-worn ruined doorways are particularly intriguing for photographs. Each side of the rectangular building features a doorway, one of which has a significant crack caused by an earthquake! The atmosphere is reminiscent of an Indiana Jones film set.
Visitors can walk inside these doorways, but the interior extends only about one meter deep due to collapse and being sealed off. Just north of Pahtodawgyi lies an enormous 90-ton bell, noted for being the world’s largest ringing bell, which was intended to accompany the completed structure.
Overall, the Mingun Pagoda is a captivating destination, and exploring the nearby bell and the Hsinbyume white pagoda adds to the experience!
Entrance Fee
As of 2020, there’s an entry fee of 5,000 Kyats (approximately US $3.50), which also includes access to other nearby monuments like the Hsinbyume white pagoda. Notably, this ticket is distinct from the ferry fare required to reach Mingun.
How To Get To Mingun Pagoda
The Mingun Pagoda (Pahtodawgyi) is located on the west side of the Irrawaddy River, around 10 km from Mandalay city and a short walk from the river itself. To embark on this journey from Mandalay, visitors will need to cross the river using the Mingun ferry, which offers a fun and relaxing trip lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Boarding the boat may prove challenging for older individuals because entering requires walking across a narrow plank.
Mingun ferry tickets are available starting at 8:15 AM, with a roundtrip price of 5,000 Kyats. The ferry departs for Mingun daily at 9 AM, returning to Mandalay at either 1:00 or 1:30 PM. Therefore, you will have approximately 2-3 hours to explore the Mingun area before the boat heads back.
If you happen to miss the scheduled departure, or prefer a more personalized experience, you can charter a private boat from the same jetty for about 30,000 Kyats, and they will wait for you during your exploration of Mingun.
Best Tours In Myanmar
Where We Stayed
We enjoyed our stay at the 3-star Hotel Aurora in Mandalay, costing $22 USD per night. The accommodation was clean, equipped with A/C, a private bathroom, and offered one of the best buffet breakfasts we have ever experienced at a hotel.
Throughout our stay, we dined at the hotel restaurant and found its location to be ideal for exploring the temples and other attractions in Mandalay. Keep in mind that prices may vary over time, so monitoring for a good deal is advisable!
