Just west of Mandalay, and across the Irrawaddy River, sits this collapsing colossus - an ambitious incomplete stupa constructed by King Bodawpaya in the 18th century. And KB, it seemed, liked to go big. Really big. For it’s construction, the King requisitioned thousands of prisoners and slaves acquired from the…
Built during the reign of King Mindon Min in 1857, Kuthodaw Pagoda stands at the foot of Mandalay Hill and contains the world’s largest ‘book.’ Each of the 729 white stupas houses a marble tablet, and inscribed on each side is a page of text from the Tripitaka - making…
Among Mandalay’s many colorful charms, their street markets aren’t to be missed. Nearly always busy, they are great places to watch the chaos of commerce - what the local culture demands and sells. The market at Thu Ye Zae, just a few blocks north of the city citadel’s northern perimeter,…