When Traveling Is Caring ❤️
စစ်ကိုင်းCentral Myanmar
Hills covered in white and gold pagodas, with monasteries and nunneries on every slope, just across the river from Mandalay. Here is how to see them.
Sagaing lies on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady, a short drive from Mandalay across the river bridges. It was briefly a royal capital, but today it is known as one of Myanmar's great religious centres, with low hills covered in pagodas, stupas and hundreds of monasteries and nunneries, many of them meditation centres.
Most travellers visit for a few hours as part of a day among Mandalay's old capitals, together with Amarapura and Inwa. Drive up to the main hilltop pagodas for the views, then walk the covered stairways and quiet lanes between monasteries.
Sagaing fits easily into a private, tailor-made day among the old capitals around Mandalay.
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The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
The main hilltop pagoda, reached by road or covered stairway, with the best views over the river and the pagoda-dotted hills.
A curved colonnade lined with a long row of seated Buddha images, set into the hillside. Calm and photogenic.
Walk the quiet lanes between hillside monasteries, where many nuns and monks study and meditate. Keep voices low.
A huge, smooth dome-shaped pagoda on the plain beyond the town, very different from the usual pointed stupas.
A village of workshops where silver bowls and ornaments are hammered and engraved by hand.
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Customise My TripSagaing is a short drive from Mandalay over the Ayeyarwady bridges, and pairs naturally with Inwa and Amarapura on the same day.
Places that pair well with Sagaing, with approximate travel times.
November to February is the most pleasant time, dry with cool mornings. March to May is very hot, so visit early or late. The monsoon brings some rain from June to October.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppYes, for a few hours. The views over the pagoda-covered hills are lovely and the atmosphere is peaceful. It is best combined with Inwa and Amarapura in a single day from Mandalay.
By car in about 40 minutes over the river bridges. A private car with a guide lets you combine it with the other old capitals.
Some travellers do, especially for meditation retreats, but most stay in Mandalay. There are very few hotels in Sagaing.
Travel advice for Myanmar changes often, and many governments advise against travel to some or all of the country. Check your government's latest advice and your travel insurance before planning. We only suggest routes our local team considers safe at the time, and we will tell you plainly if a place is not a good idea right now.
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