Day Trips Mandalay Region
Travel advisory: The US government advises against all travel to Myanmar. The UK government advises against all travel to Sagaing and the area north of Mandalay, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Mandalay Region including the city. Conflict, drone attacks, curfews and internet shutdowns are ongoing, and many sites suffered damage in the March 2025 earthquake. Check the US State Department and UK FCDO before making any plans.
Day Trips in Mandalay Region
Mandalay Region has several historic towns that visitors once reached on day trips from Mandalay city. Under current official advice these are not places to plan trips to, and the condition and access of every site below are unconfirmed since the March 2025 earthquake.
Mingun
Mingun is about 11 km from Mandalay, in Sagaing Region, where the UK advises against all travel.
- Mingun Pahtodawgyi is a massive unfinished pagoda. It is damaged, and climbing it is barred.
- Hsinbyume Pagoda, once a white terraced pagoda, was largely destroyed in the earthquake.
- The condition of the Mingun Bell is unreported.
Sagaing
Sagaing is about 21 km from Mandalay, in Sagaing Region, where the UK advises against all travel.
- Sagaing Hill is known for its many pagodas and monasteries, and the Soon U Ponnya Shin pagoda was damaged in the earthquake.
- U Min Thonze Cave Pagoda and Kaunghmudaw Pagoda are also known sites, and their condition is unconfirmed.
Inwa (Ava)
Inwa is about 21 km from Mandalay and is reached by a short ferry. About three quarters of its historic structures were damaged in the earthquake. The Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery (Me Nu) is nearly destroyed, and the condition of Bagaya Monastery and the watch tower is unconfirmed.
Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)
Pyin Oo Lwin is about 67 km from Mandalay and is known for the National Botanical Gardens. It lies in an area where the UK advises against all travel, and rocket attacks have hit the town. Access is unconfirmed.
Dress modestly and remove shoes at religious sites.