The Hsinbyume pagoda is also known as Myatheindan Pagoda which is famous for a completely stunning white architecture on the banks of the legendary Irrawaddy river. It is about 10 km to the northwest of Mandalay and just a few hundred meters from the massive Mingun Pagoda, no one in Myanmar tours can ignore this gorgeous temple once traveling to Mandalay. In this article, let find out everything you need to know about it.
History of Hsinbyume Pagoda (Myatheindan)
This white pagoda was built in 1816 by Bagydaw prince who was the heir of King’s Bodawpaya. It was completed three years later in 1819, at the same time as he became the next king of the Konbaung Dynasty.
The reason why he decided to construct this pagoda is to show his love and to memorialize his first wife’s death during her childbirth in 1812, the Queen Hsinbyume whose name can be understood as White Elephant Queen.
However, a severe earthquake in 1836 had damaged Hsinbyume Pagoda considerably and it was restored in 1874 by King Mindon.
Construction of Hsinbyume Pagoda
It has a unique architectural style compared to the other pagodas in Myanmar. To complete this all-white pagoda, 100,000 emeralds had been used, that is the reason why it is called Mye (Emerald) Thein Tan (100,000).
Beside, Hsinbyume pagoda is assumed as the perfect version of the legendary Mount Meru - the mythical axis at the center of the Buddhist cosmos. The pagoda includes seven concentric terraces which represent the seven mountains which rise up to Mount Meru. Some of them contain small mythical creatures such as Ogres, Serpents, or Nagas, and the Nats, or the Spirits.
The top of the pagoda represents Mount Meru is a gold spire with a Buddha image, which is believed to be designed according to the style of the Chulamanee pagoda.
Visitors can climb the stairway to the top of the pagoda and see the fabulous views of the other places nearby the pagoda such as the Ayeyarwady River and the Mingun Pagoda.
Nowadays, it becomes a popular tourist attraction for Buddhist pilgrims who believe the pagoda holds the power to make their dreams come true.
How to get to Hsinbyume Pagoda
It just takes you 850 meters from the North of Mingun town to reach the pagoda; therefore, instead of finding any vehicle to get to Hsinbyume pagoda, you can choose to walk and enjoy Mingun's beauty at the same time. Another option if you do not like walking that you can hire a horse cart. However, it's much more expensive as you also have to hire a cattleman to control it.
If you travel to Mingun on a day trip from Mandalay, It is highly recommended that you should take a taxi to the Mingun Jetty in Mandalay and then take a boat to Mingun. You should plan ahead for your trip before that because there are just 2 ferries per day between Mingun and Mandalay. It often departs at 9 a.m. and takes you approximately 1 hour. Another one starts at 1 p.m. It is known as a shortcut to get to Hsinbyume pagoda in the fastest way.
Hsinbyume Pagoda Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
Hsinbyume Pagoda opens daily in the daytime and you won't have to pay any fee to enter. However, you are required to pay $4 for the Sagaing - Mingun Archeological Zone. This ticket is available to use in other destinations in the region such as Mingun Pagoda or Mingun Bell.