2 January
Pilgrims, domestic and foreign travellers and local residents of Mandalay filled up the compounds of its numerous pagodas and ancient cultural sites during the New Year holiday.
In particular, Mahamuni Buddha Image, Kyauktawgyi, Shwekyee Myin Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Aungtawmu Pagoda were thronging with visitors in the early hours of the morning.
Visitors then took a trip to Shwekyaunggyi, the palace and Inwa area in the afternoon before heading to the famous U Bein bridge and Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset later in the evening.
Being their first time in Myanmar, an Italian tourist said arriving in Mandalay checked off their bucket list of places to visit, which included Yangon and Bagan as well. They said they were fascinated with the architecture of Bagan’s temples and they hoped to walk to the end of U Bein bridge while watching the sunset. They said they will encourage their friends to visit Myanmar when they go back and they themselves hope to visit here again after experiencing the friendliness and hospitality of local residents.
U Aung Myint and his family are also part of the large number of visitors for New Year’s, having come from Nay Pyi Taw to gain good merits and impart knowledge on his children in Mandalay. He said because Myanmar’s infrastructure is getting better and the practice of travelling during the holidays is getting more popular, he noticed a lot of domestic travellers in every place he visits.—Min Htet Aung (Man Sub-printing Hpuse)
