3 Must-Visit Places in Mingun, Myanmar

Before you go: since the 2021 military coup, parts of Myanmar have seen armed conflict, and the March 2025 earthquake centred near Mandalay and Sagaing damaged many temples and historic sites – in Mingun, the white Hsinbyume Pagoda was largely destroyed. Check your government’s latest travel advisory, and confirm current access to the places in this article with a local guide before you travel.

3 places not to miss when visiting Mingun

Mingun is a peaceful village with famous monuments left by the Myanmar kings. It sits on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River, about 10 km upriver from Mandalay. Mingun is famous for three historical sites. (Read it in Chinese: 穿越伊洛瓦底江，來到古老城市-敏貢Mingun.)

See also: Myanmar Facts: Know Before You Go

1. Mingun Bell

The Mingun Bell is one of the largest ringing bells in the world (it held the record until 2000). It was cast in 1808–1810 for King Bodawpaya (reigned 1782–1819). The weight of the bell in Burmese measurement is 55,555 viss or peiktha (about 90 tonnes; 1 viss ≈ 1.63 kg), handed down as a mnemonic “Min Phyu Hman Hman Pyaw”. If you get to Mingun, don’t miss the chance to visit and ring the bell.

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2. Mingun Pahtodawgyi

Mingun Pahtodawgyi is a gigantic unfinished stupa; the ruins are the remains of a massive construction project begun by King Bodawpaya in 1790. The base is about 450 feet wide and 162 feet (50 m) high; if the project had been finished, it would have been about 150 m tall. Huge cracks from an earthquake in 1839 are still visible. Nearby are the remains of two giant guardian lion statues. If you find yourself in Mingun, don’t forget to take a photo with this big ancient buildings.

3. Mya Thein Tan Pagoda

Mya Thein Tan (Hsinbyume) Pagoda was a beautiful white pagoda built in 1816 by King Bagyidaw. Sadly, most of the structure collapsed in the March 2025 earthquake, so ask locally whether it can be visited before you go. The design was based on the descriptions of the mythical ‘Sulamani Pagoda’ on Mount Meru. Its seven wave-like terraces represent the seven mountain ranges leading up to Mount Meru in Buddhist mythology.

There are two ways to get to Mingun from Mandalay: by road, or by boat up the Irrawaddy. For those who want to feel the fresh breeze from the Irrawaddy River and see the ancient temples and culture of Myanmar, welcome to Mingun.

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Cover photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons