Sagaing Hill
စစ်ကိုင်းတောင်
A sacred hill on the western bank of the Irrawaddy, layered with pagodas and monasteries, with hundreds of white and gold stupas dotting its slopes. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda at the top offers views over the river.
Sagaing lies on the far bank of the Irrawaddy, about 20 kilometers southwest of Mandalay. It briefly served as a royal capital and is now a center of Buddhist practice in Myanmar, with hundreds of pagodas on its slopes and monasteries where thousands of monks and nuns study and meditate. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda at the top dates from the 14th century. It has a platform with colorful mosaics and large sculptures of frogs and Buddha figures, and it overlooks the Inwa Bridge and the hillside full of white pagodas. You can drive directly to the top or climb by the covered stairway. Foreign visitors must buy the Mandalay Region ticket. Some buildings were damaged in the March 2025 earthquake, so check current opening arrangements locally.
Opening hours
About 06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- U Min Thonze Pagoda
- Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery
- Inwa (Ava)
- Yadana Hsemee Pagoda Complex
- Mahagandayon Monastery
- Bagaya Monastery
- Kaunghmudaw Pagoda
- U Bein Bridge