This is a major pilgrimage site, located southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar. The Mahamuni Image, originally came from Arakan is enshrined in this temple and is highly venerated. According to legend, Buddha himself visited the Dhanyawadi city of Arakan in 554 BC. King Sanda Thuriya requested that an image be cast of him. Once complete, the Buddha breathed upon it, and thereafter the image took on his exact likeness.

Beautiful place but very badly damaged during the recent earthquake. Reconstruction however is in full swing, but large parts of the temple complex are currently not accessible. Also the fish pond got a big hit during the EQ, and all the fish have died. Very friendly staff who are happy to explain things to you. Despite the damage still very impression, don't forget to look up once in a while as the ceilings have the most beautiful elements of the whole temple.

The Pagoda is clean and exquisite. You can pray and donate. You can also feed to fish and tortoises at garden in this pagoda area. Be aware that one cannot wear shorts or skirts, dresses to visit. Bring a longyi for ladies or long pant. I didn't see any panhandlers near pagoda area at this time and people are no longer bothered for this.

This is an amazing temple to be in. There is a K5000 entrance fee for foreigners. This temple has got so much gold in it's interior and exterior that it looks so magnificent. Here, you get to witness devout worshippers apply gold leaf on the buddha statue. There's a video live stream as well as women are not allowed near it. There's also a bronze statue museum on-site with English explanations and an art gallery which details the faith in Myanmar. Would definitely recommend a visit here.

My first stop in Mandalay was here at Maher Myat Muni Pagoda. As always you must leave your shoes, etc. and walk barefoot. You walk past many merchants selling goods before getting to the pagoda. Here you must pay camera fees, but they don't apply to mobile phone cameras. Here only males can enter the central area with the big Buddha statue. I was ask by a local woman to present an offering on here behalf which is common.

Wow, what an interesting place. Unfortunately, you can't actually see the gold leaf Buddha, but they do have pictures of it at various years going back to 1935 so you can see the transition as it gets more and more gold leaves on it. The surrounding building is pretty impressive too. It seems to be a very holy place for people so please be respectful here.

In the compound of pagoda, the landscaping is very nice and relax place. The flowers are also so beautiful.

Traditional gold workshop, where you can examine how gold plates are being flattened to be used for decoration or offerings later on. You can see the craftmen working with hammers, and the staff is exceptionally kind and helpful, speaking fluent English. They will tell you about the work process and the possible uses of the golden leafs - of course you can buy many different jewelry, decoration or simply gold.

Quite an interesting place where you can see the gold leaf making. From the process of making bamboo sheets to making gold leaf and then preparing stacks, all of it can be seen here. You can shop some souvenirs as well.

Interesting place to learn about the gold leaf making process. The staff are friendly and one of them put gold leaf on our forehead while we were visiting the workshop. I guess it means good luck!

Very interesting place to visit and staff were both informative and helpful. Bought a small piece of jewellery as a memory of Mandalay.

Very interesting place in central Mandalay. This workshop specialize in handmade traditional golden leaf production, which are used in covering different things especially Budda figures in stupas and monasteries (in the traditional way by Myanmar's people). However You can find other souvenirs covered in gold. The nice place to see if You come by this district (there are other similar workshop in this area).

A fascinating look at an age old technique for making gold leaf. It will blow your mind when you see the effort required to produce one tiny sheet of gold leaf and then you think of the sheer volume of gold leaf needed for just one pagoda or huge Buddha statue.

You will see how difficult to make the gold leaves, it is physically intensive.

I guessed it is not that suitable for consumer as the market is trading on raw Jade. We have no idea how to quantify the value or these stones.

Excellent place to buy all types of jade rough and finished products at very attractive prices indeed. Many teashops snacks gem equipment there is a bonus gem market behind the jade market trading Mogok gems at good prices too. A gem lovers heaven 🤩

very interesting, real Burmese life, almost no tourists

Interesting market to see how people trade in jade. Be sure to go before 10am to catch the action. There's a paid area for foreigners to enter and it is where the serious trading takes place. Bought myself some jade items at rock bottom prices, like a jade beaded bracelet at 5,000 ks. But in general, do not buy unless you have asked around a few stalls for price of same item and gotten a general feel of prices. And do not buy any expensive items unless you really know your stones. Some amber jewelry is sold here along with the jade. These are overpriced. The same amber bracelets are sold in Yangon at 10,000 Kyat, so be sure to bargain down the price.

great experience! really recommend to visit, maybe dont go on a shopping spree unless you are very well informed on how to choose and value gems as you will get schooled. but still amazing to go and learn and experience, you can study lots from the locals on how to value jade but dont put your fresh knowledge to the test on a too high transaction as a couple of hours experience is not enough to really value gems. but the cheaper stones are still a great souvenir! even though its a jade market, you can even find the famous Myanmar Ruby there, but those are super expensive, and if they are not, they are probably of very very very low quality or have been chemically or heat treated to be more beautiful - there for value is even lower.

Crowded area this is a real Jade market Trade between China and Myanmar Traders

You can see the treasure of Myanmar(mostly Jade , a few gold smith and silver smith) here. But if you're afraid of the crowded, you can visit to other private shop instead of this. Note that the market closed in Sabbath day of Buddhist (Full-moon day, New moon day , 8 days after full moon and new moon days) , every four days in a month.

Just a 30 min car ride outside of Mandalay, sits Mahagandhayon Monastery, the largest monestary in Myanmar/Burma. Several thousand, many of them young, monks, live here, spending their time studying and praying. The place is quite busy with tourists, especially during the 10 a.m. alm giving ceremony, when food and other necessities are donated by villagers and tourists alike and monks stand in long lines to receive their lunch. It's commercialised but still a nice place to visit and watch the monks going about their daily routine.

Feels very commercialised but still a nice place to people watch (in this case, monks going about on their daily routine). They have this procession that happens every day at 10.15 am where they depart from their dwellings into a common cookhouse for lunch. Over here, I also managed to buy some books on Buddhism written by Burmese monks.

Learned a lot about Buddhism here, after talking to a monk. I traveled to Myanmar to get a peace of mind and visiting this place, helped me to let go and move on. The monk emphasized that Buddhism is not a religion rather, it's a philosophy. My friends and I bought a few of their books, and I find it a good read.

Its very close to U being bridge. 1000 monks gather at the hall during lunch time every day to accept lunch donated by the local people. Visitors can also donate fruits/ snacks, etc to the monks when the monks are walking orderly one by one towards the hall. You can use cell phone to take photos (be respectful) but not DSLR/ professional cameras. Quite a few free roaming dogs in the monastery.

this is the largest buddhist monastery in Myanmar which was built in 1914. Another name for this monastery is "Mahagandayon Monastery". Best time is to go before 10.30am to watch the solemn ritual.

I really want you to go there. Because that is a very peace .If you are a boy,I'm sure you want to be the son of Buddha and want to stay there.So when you visit Myanmar,I want you to go there.

Only 4 things that monks need are Food, Public utility, Medicine and Cloth Here has over 100 monks and so many novoices. I didn't hesitate for donating to this place BTW. It was wonderful time.

Local Mandalay food is a must try! The family here serves all day lunch meals, and the portion sizes with the sides a a lot! Just look at the pics to understand the vast spread and enjoy, they speak English so will help make the choices easily

Great restaurant with authentic Burmese food. Went to it as a suggestion from the lonely planet guide, the location has changed and is two blocks south of its current location on Google, there is a sign at the old location with it's new address. They have a menu you can order from, as well as a "buffet" of sorts where you can choose what you want from what is there. We ordered the shan noodles (1,500kyats) which were amazing, and got the crispy pork (2,500kyats and totally worth it!) from the buffet area. Very busy and full of locals, definitely worth a visit!

Not as great as advertised - we had high hopes but all dashed. Pork fried rice and seafood fried rice was bland. Pork hot plate was horrible - the meat was stale and chewy. The chicken kungpow was too salty. Only the stirfried veggies were good.

Great experience. Very local place (even if it's popular also with tourists as its referenced on a few guidebooks). Seating (and Kitchen) directly on the road.

Just ok.

Menu with photos and English provided. Tasty! Had the shan noodles, lemon fish (actually sweet and sour), sweet potato leaves, rice with assorted vegetables and a watermelon juice.

It’s kind of noisy. It’s not very professional, but the foods are OK to eat. It’s like a budget saving restaurant for Burmese people I guess.

Served authentic Myanmar food at this restaurant. Food was great & definitely a good restaurant if you want to try Myanmar local food

Fabulous traditional Myanmar food. Set meal includes loads of dishes all really tasty. fast, great service, give it a try.

Stone of the best food had so far, loads of variety and spice

Clean and cozy dining environments. It's a good experience if you want to try the local food as a visitor. Mildly flavored but pretty distinctive ~

Recommend this Myanmar restaurant. Tasty cuisines Good service

Excellent. Really good Myanmar Traditional food.

Excellent service, food and authentic Burmese food.

Very nice food and dessert. The atmosphere is also amazing:) will come again if have the chance

Nice and clean toilet. Food is quite good for tourists. Grill pork neck and tomyum is my favorite food here...price is acceptable. Total 50 usd for group of 9 persons.

Great environment, good service, lively, wifi, eco friendly

I like the setting of this restaurant and the foods of this restaurant. The wifi connection is so good 😍

Situated in Amarapura’s silent area.Foods are so tasty. Staffs service are good. Decorations are so attractive and modernised. Recommend for dating and chilling with friends.

You can order curries and rice for whole group or order individually. All taste good especially Thai curries.

Perfect spot to chill ... Awesome decoration ... Delicious Steak ... Amazing Drink ... My recommendations is Beef Steak and Full cup of Orange ... Find Fantasy 😍😍😍😍