Welcome to Sagaing
A crest of green hills studded with white and gold pagodas marks the 'skyline' of Saigang (စစ္ကိုင္း), a religious pilgrimage centre that resembles Bagan with elevation. This pretty, friendly town is a major monastic centre and a somewhat serene escape from Mandalay's constant hum. No individual pagoda stands out as a particular must-see, but taken together the whole scene is enthralling. A highlight is walking the sometimes steep covered stairways that lead past monasteries and nunneries to viewpoints from which you can survey the river and an undulating landscape of emerald hills and stupas.
Top experiences in Sagaing
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Travel guides
Starting at $38.99
Sagaing activities
Full-Day Mingun and Ancient Capitals of Mandalay Tour
Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Mandalay at 7:30-8am. From here, you will travel to Mingun. Mingun is home to the world’s largest uncracked ringing bell, the largest brick base Pathodawgyi Padoda and Myatheindan Pagoda with a distinctive architectural style modelled after the mythical Mount Meru (Myinmo taung). You will then continue to Sagaing (the ancient capital of Shan and Myanmar Kingdoms) and visit Sunn Oo Ponya Shin on the tranquil Sagaing Hill. Also drop by at a local silverware cottage industry if time allows. Enjoy lunch in at a local restaurant in Sagaing before leaving for Inwa (also known as Ava), a former royal capital of Myanmar Kingdom on the confluence of the Ayeyarwaddy River and Myitnge River. After crossing the Myitnge River by a small ferry boat, we will take a horse cart to explore the ruins of the old royal capital including the watchtower, the 27m tall leaning tower of the old royal palace, Maha Aungmye Bonzan monastery (also known as Me Nu Oak Kyaung) built of brick in traditional style with elaborated stucco ornamentations that looks like carvings and the Bargaya monastery, a splendid teak wood monastery with wood curving. Your last destination today is the Amarapura. It was the royal capital of Myanmar twice, from 1783 to 1821 and 1842 to 1859, during the Konbaung era before finally being superseded by Mandalay. If time permits, you will visit Amarapura Silk Weaving work shop or a handicraft workshop before heading to U Bein Bridge to explore the local way of life and enjoy the sunset before returning to your hotel in Mandalay.
Private Tour: Sagaing and Inwa from Mandalay including Lunch
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel at 8am in Mandalay and head to Sagaing Hill, a religious center for Buddhist devotees. The views across the river and surrounding hills are spectacular. We will visit Umin Thonesae and Soon Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda overlooking Ayeyarwaddy River. There are many visitors who come here to pay respects and pray at its main Buddha statue.Next, we continue the tour to Pahtodawgyi Pagoda which is an unfinished huge pagoda, damaged and made unstable to continue building by an earthquake. Adjacent to the pagoda is the Mingun Bell, the world’s second largest bell and the world’s biggest bell among the ringing ones. We will visit Myatheindan Pagoda before move on to Inwa.You will embark on a boat and depart to Inwa which lies at the confluence of the Ayeyarwaddy and Dohtawati Rivers. Upon arrival, you will take a horse-cart ride and sightseeing some main tourist attractions and landmarks, such as Maha Aung Myae Bonsan, Mai Nu Oak Kyaung (Brick Monsatery), 30m high masonry watchtower (Nan Myint) and learning tower of Inwa and Bagaya Monastery made of 267 teak pillars. Our driver will transfer you back to your hotel after a wondering experience in Sagaing and Inwa.
Ngapali Diving Trip including 2 Dive sites
We'll pick up at the hotel in the morning and leave to the dive area near the Maung Shwe Lay fishing village. The traditional fishing village situated on St. Andrew’s Bay, the area is defined by a white-sand beach, calm waters perfect for swimming and a verdant jungle.Today we'll go to 2 dive sites where you can relax and see the beauty of under water world. There is a lunch on board. We make one dive in the morning and in the afternoon. Then we'll visit to the Maung Shwe Lay fishing village to explore the nature of local fishermen. The boat is back between 3 to 5 pm, after which we bring you back to the hotel.
2 Days Golden Rock Tour
Tour will be start from you hotel at the early morning 6 am. Our guide will come and pick you up at your hotel. Then drive down to the Golden Rock (approximately 200 km / 3 and half hours driving) by private car. On the way you will see the beauty of green paddies fields and small local village. After arriving to the base camp of the Golden Rock Mountain, transfer to the truck to climb up to the top of mountain. It will take approximately 1 hour and then you have to walk 20 minutes from car park to your hotel. After check-in at the hotel, take rest and get fresh air with beautiful scenery. Lunch will be at the hotel. At the afternoon, guide will take you to the Golden Rock Pagoda, which is big Granite stone cover with golden leaves and situated at edge of the mountain, and the surroundings area of the pagoda. You will see many local shops selling souvenirs and some local medicine produce from wild animals. Spend more time on the top of the mountain to see the sunset and beauty of green scenery. Dinner will be at the hotel. On next day, after your breakfast, you will go down to the base camp by truck. Then visit some local shop and dive back to the Yangon. On the way, lunch will be provided at the local restaurant and stop by at the Kanbawza Thadi Palace, Shaw Mawdaw pagoda, Shwe Thalyaung Pagoda situated in Bago. Then drive back to Yangon and tour will be ended at your hotel.
Mergui Archipelago - Island Day Tour
We will pick you up from your hotel in Myeik (downtown). We make an early start from Myeik’s Seik Nge Jetty. It's a one and a half hour cruise to Dome Island. Feel the fresh sea breeze as we pass beautiful mangrove forests. Here and there tiny villages line the shore. The people who live here catch fish, crabs, mussels and oysters. Our first stop will be Dome Waterfall, which cascades down from high above right into the ocean. You are able to climb up and a have a refreshing bath. Please be careful walking around on the slippery rocks and respect the fishing boat, which might refill their fresh water supplies. Later on we arrive to Dome Nyaung Mine Village. The fishermen share their place with sea gypsies, which are called Moken in the local language. Their lifestyle reminds us of a simpler time before bank accounts and life insurance. Many spend their life permanently at sea during the dry season, only seeking the shelter of land when the heavy rains come. We will have seafood and vegetarian lunch in the authentic village. After lunch we cruise on to Smart Island for swimming and snorkeling in pristine waters. The shapes of the island with one long beach and three smaller one is one of its kind. The long and the small beaches are within 5-10 minutes walking distance. Enjoy you afternoon relaxing, swimming, playing, sunbathing and whatever else you would like to do. And then with the last rays of sunshine dancing on the sea we return to Myeik. Transfer back to your hotel. This day tour is designed for people who would like to explore the most of the Archipelago in one day and don’t mind spending a few hours on a speedboat. The rewards will one of the most beautiful beaches you have seen.Please note: The tour itinerary can change on tide and weather conditions.
Amarapura-Sagaing and Inwa (Ava) Day Tour
Meet your Mandalay guide at your hotel at 08:30 am, visit the Maha Gandayone monastery (home to more than 1000 monks) in Amarapura and U Bein teak bridge. Then proceed to drive to Sagaing hill across the Ayeyarwaddy River and will see the rural life of Myanmar People. On the top of Sagaing hill, a retreat for some monks and nuns, there are over 500 Monasteries in Saging hill. visit a Soon U Pon Nya Shin, U Min Thonesal Pagoda.Inwa (also known as Ava), a former royal capital of Myanmar Kingdom located on the confluence of the Ayeyarwaddy River and Myitnge River. After a 3 minute boat ride by crossing a small river you will ride a horse cart for the visit. You will be led to the Maha Aungmyabonsan Monastery, and the Nanmyint Tower before heading to Bargayar monastery.Transfer back to your Mandalay Hotel.