Day 4 - Yangon to Mandalay

We took an early flight to Mandalay to explore its ancient temples and sights, watch the novice monks in procession.

After we explored the Mahamuni Temple a major pilgrimage site which houses the country's holiest Buddha image, the 3.5m tall (11.5 ft) 100-year-old legendary Arakan Buddha, made of bronze and gold leaf.

 In the afternoon, we visited the famous Golden Monastery (Shwenandaw), the only building still standing from the one hundred plus that once stood on the palace grounds. The "Golden Monastery” was originally part of the royal palace at Amarapura. The monastery is a fantastic example of traditional Myanmar architecture and is adorned with delicate woodcarvings of Buddhist myths.  

Afterwards we visited the Kuthodaw Pagoda which houses 729 marble slabs displaying the entire Buddhist canon. It claims the honor of housing the world's largest book. The stunning pagoda with its gold and white buildings in a traditional Myanma style and it’s a spiritually significant place for followers of Theravada Buddhism. 

For sunset we climbed to the top of Mandalay Hill for a bird´s eye view and a visit to the Shwe Kyin Monastery, which it's one of the oldest and most important monasteries in the country.