The pagoda-studded hills of Sagaing are situated in Sagaing Region in central Myanmar. You have to pass over the 16 span, steel-girdered Sagaing Bridge that spans across the famous Ayeyarwady River with its muddy brown waters.

As the Sagaing Bridge enhances the beauty of Sagaing City and Sagaing Region, Sagiaing Hill is a place where Buddhists go to meditate and find solace and serenity. Sagaing Hill, situated on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady River is a magnificent vista with its stunning hill top pagodas. And this very view of religious shrines, temples and pagodas show the prominence of religious in those days of Myanmar kings.

Though you will find many pagodas in Sagaing city, on Sagaing Hill the most prominent is the Lay Kyun ManAung Stupa. The shape of inverted alms bowls stack on, one another gives this pagoda a unique form and displays the outstanding Myanmar architectural designs.

This pagoda was built around the year 1094 by King SinPhyu Shin Min Tayagyi. History says that the lord Buddha descended from heaven at this place and gave sermons to 500 ogres and because these beings obtained enlightenment here, the name Thawta Pan Pagoda was given.

Inside the Lay Kyun Man Aung Pagoda resides a huge magnificent Buddha statue. This statue and the statues of ogres are all curved out of Sagyim marble.

6 miles north of Sagaing City there’s one temple, the sacred “ Yazamani Sular” or “Kaungmudaw Pagoda,” built in Myanmar era 998, by King Thalun. This high-pointed conical shaped pagoda is visible from afar and is said to commemorate the re-establishment of Ava, as the royal capital.The “Onhmin Thonze” or 30 caves pagoda is also a well-known pagoda from Sagaing. It has 30 openings and 45 Buddha Images.

And that is why if you happen to visit Sagaing, you will be greeted with the pleasurable sight of white washed pagodas studding the hills and savour at the same time, the splendours of Myanmar’s architectural designs. When crossing the Sagaing Bridge you will feel the fresh air breeze blowing down the Ayeyarwady River beating on your faces. So, let us again extend our invitation to you all to come visit the pagoda studded hills of Sagaing.