Mandalay Hill – The Cultural Meridian of Myanmar

August 24, 2017

Travelling through Myanmar I have seen some glorious sights and have had experiences that experiences that will never forget, so this next part of my journey is simply one for resting the soul with a beautiful sunset on top of the Mandalay Hill.

Mandalay Hill is situated just North of downtown and is 230 meters above sea level. Mandalay used to be the ancient capital of Myanmar and the hill is its landmark, which for all tourists is a must see especially to experience the sun set over the magnificent city. As I arrive with my group I am greeted by two large white lion type statues that guard the holy hill.

Mandalay Hill Temple overlooking the Mandalay Palace’s Moat

As informed by the locals, Buddha on one of his visits to Myanmar climbed Mandalay Hill, pointed down to the land below and stated that one day a great city would be built there in the future. Not long after this, a huge gold Buddha was built pointing down to where the Royal Palace sits today.

From the archway, we come to the entrance which is accompanied by an escalator of the hill, and as we slowly ride up to the top I am flabbergasted at the views that are slowly forming before me. I am usually one to climb the stairway, but these past few days have taken their toll and I pass on the 1,729 steps which would otherwise take me up to the top. From this point, at the top of the hill, there are various sights to be seen, such as the Sagaing Hill, the Royal Palace and fortress, the Ayeyarwady river and in the distance I can also make out the Shan Hills.

Kuthodaw Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa, located in Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar)

Although it is crowded with tourists I am glad to have come at this time of day, and as I find a spot to settle down and take in the views, the breathtaking sunset that changes in front of my eyes is divine. Sitting there and people watching, one of my favorite past times is something that passes the time quickly as I wait for my group to finish taking photos of the sunset and the views below.There are monks in groups, as well as locals, dressed to impress and taking photos themselves. There are also people sitting in groups and conversing with the monks and I wonder to myself what they are talking about, and how different our own lives must be to theirs. I close my eyes for a moment before heading back down and to the hotel, to once more take in this magnificent view and promise myself that I will be back, sooner rather than later.