Maha Aung Mye Bom San Monastery
📜 Maha Aung Mye Bom San Monastery is an important religious and cultural heritage site in Mandalay, Myanmar. Built in the late 19th century 📆 (specifically 1818), during the latter part of the Konbaung Dynasty, it was commissioned by the royal family 👑. Its original purpose was to serve as a place for royal nobles and elite monks to study Buddhist scriptures, combining religious education with meditation practices.
📝 The monastery is renowned for its all-teakwood structure, featuring intricate and exquisite carvings. It blends traditional Burmese style with European decorative elements from the colonial period (such as arched doors and windows), reflecting the multicultural influences on Burmese architecture at that time.
✍🏻️ The name "Maha Aung Mye Bom San" means "great and boundless light protection," symbolizing its influence as a spiritual sanctuary. Monks still practice here today, continuing ancient religious traditions. Having withstood wars and the ravages of time, the temple remains well-preserved and serves as a significant example for studying Burmese Buddhist architecture and the social changes of the 19th century.
【📍Address】Near Amarapura, Mandalay, close to U Bein Bridge.
【⏰Opening Hours】Open all day, but daytime visits are recommended (6:00am–6:00pm).
【🎫Tickets】Free, but donations are welcome.
【🚕Transportation】
✔️ From downtown Mandalay, it's about a 30-minute taxi or tuk-tuk ride, costing around 10,000–15,000 MMK (approx. USD 5–7). Negotiate the fare yourself.
✔️ Renting an e-bike or bicycle is an option, suitable for independent travelers. Confirm rental locations in advance (city center hotels or rental shops).
✔️ The monastery is only 2 km from U Bein Bridge. If you're staying near the bridge, you can walk or take a short tuk-tuk ride (about 5 minutes).
【📌Tips】
1⃣ Witness monks' daily activities, such as chanting scriptures and having meals, in the early morning (6:00am–7:00am).
2⃣ Wear long pants/skirts and cover your shoulders. Shoes must be removed before entering.
3⃣ The soft light of early morning or evening is ideal for visiting, avoiding the midday sun.
4⃣ The interplay of light and shadow on the wooden structures inside the monastery makes it perfect for capturing cultural or architectural close-ups.
【✍🏻️Nearby Attractions】
✔️ U Bein Bridge: Visit at sunrise or sunset. Boat rentals are available for silhouette photography (approx. 10,000 MMK).
✔️ Mahagandhayon Monastery: Mandalay's largest Buddhist monastery. Around 10:00am daily, thousands of monks line up for their meal, a truly impressive sight.
✔️ Amarapura: Explore the ancient city ruins and silk workshops, and experience traditional weaving.
【📜Suggested One-Day Itinerary】
Maha Aung Mye Bom San Monastery in the morning > Mahagandhayon Monastery > U Bein Bridge at sunset > Dinner in Amarapura.