Kuthodaw Paya, aka the ‘world’s biggest book’, draws tour-bus crowds to see its 729 slabs that retell the Tripitaka canon, which is effectively part of the Buddhist Bible. Note that many of the slabs are placed behind grated entrances in small stupas (and are written in Pali), so it's tough to make out the text. Nearby, the Sandamuni Paya (admission includes entrance here) has more such slabs.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
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To get a sense of Mandalay’s pancake-flat sprawl, climb the 760ft hill that breaks it. The walk up covered stairways on the hill's southern slope is a…
14.21 MILES
This lovely 1834 teak monastery is Inwa’s most memorable individual attraction. It's supported on 267 teak posts, the largest 60ft high and 9ft in…
4.24 MILES
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The world’s longest teak footbridge gently curves 1300yd across shallow Taungthaman Lake, creating one of Myanmar’s most photographed sites. In dry season…
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10.47 MILES
This ‘early offering shrine’ is the most important of the temples on Sagaing Hill’s southern crown and the first you’ll come to on climbing the One Lion…
Nearby Mandalay attractions
0.21 MILES
At this shrine, you'll find 1774 ensconced marble slabs inscribed with commentaries on the Tripitika (Buddhist scriptures). Along with the stone slabs at…
0.25 MILES
This unusually shaped temple is a series of diminishing stupa-dotted terraces over an arched base decorated with peacock motifs. When built in 1857, it…
3. Mandalay Hill Southeast Stairway Entrance
0.29 MILES
Stairway leading to the summit of Mandalay Hill. On average it's a 45-minute hike to the top.
0.33 MILES
This fine teak monastery-temple is noted for its carvings, particularly the interior gilded scenes from the Jataka (past-life stories of the Buddha). The…
0.41 MILES
At the heart of this large 19th-century complex is a 900-tonne buddha, 26ft tall and dressed in royal attire. Carved from a single block of marble, it…
6. Mandalay Hill Chinthe Entrance
0.46 MILES
The stairway leading to the summit of Mandalay Hill is flanked by two enormous chinthe (mythical lion-like creatures).
8. Myatsawnyinaung Ordination Hall
0.55 MILES
This small ordination hall is a good landmark for finding your bearings on Mandalay Hill, but is otherwise unremarkable.