Three Ancient Cities near Mandalay: Amarapura, Sagaing, Innwa

Ten hours across three royal cities, from teak monastery to cave temples to a sunset bridge

A full-day tour from Mandalay covers three ancient cities (Amarapura, Sagaing and Innwa) with private air-conditioned vehicle, driver, boat and horse-cart. The itinerary moves through Mahargandaryone Monastery and U Bein Bridge in Amarapura, U Min Thounze caves and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda in Sagaing, then Innwa's Bagaya Monastery (built on 267 teak posts) and Watch Tower before returning to U Bein Bridge for sunset. Lunch is your own. Horse-cart and zone fees for Innwa are optional at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Amarapura, Sagaing, and Innwa/Ava

• Pick up from hotel at 09:00AM
• Visit Mahargandaryone Monastery
• See Weaving Workshop
• Travel to U Bein Bridge for sunset
• Cross Sagaing Bridge to Sagaing City
• Visit U Min Thounze caves
• Visit Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda
• Lunch break for 1 hour
• Arrive at Innwa/Ava boat jetty
• Boat across small river
• Rent horse-cart in Innwa/Ava
• Visit Maha Aungmye Bonzan monastery
• Climb Watch Tower
• See Yadanar Semi Buddha statues
• Visit Bagaya Monastery
• Drive 15 minutes to U Bein Bridge
• Enjoy sunset at U Bein Bridge
• Return to hotel in Mandalay

The experience

Pickup happens at 09:00 AM from your Mandalay hotel. The route starts in Amarapura, where you visit Mahargandaryone Monastery (a teaching monastery founded in 1914) and a weaving workshop where locals demonstrate the craft that sustains the town. U Bein Bridge, the largest teak bridge in Myanmar, anchors the evening, but the day builds toward it rather than ending there.

From Amarapura, the tour crosses the Ayeyarwady River into Sagaing City via Sagaing Bridge. Two stops structure this leg: U Min Thounze, a crescent-shaped colonnade of 45 Buddha images carved into 30 caves, and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, the most visited temple on Sagaing Hill. You have an hour for lunch (not included) before moving on to Innwa.

Innwa requires a different pace. You'll rent a boat to cross a small river, then switch to a horse-cart to explore the city itself. The main attractions are Maha Aungmye Bonzan (a royal monastery that survived Innwa's decline), the Watch Tower (with views across the city), Yadanar Semi (three sitting Buddhas in old brick), and Bagaya Monastery, built in 1834 on 267 massive teak posts, the largest 60 feet high, that create a cool, dark prayer hall. After Innwa, a 15-minute drive returns you to U Bein Bridge in Amarapura for sunset, then back to your hotel in Mandalay.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• boat rental to cross into Innwa.
• snow towel and purified drinking water.
• fuel surcharge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Royal Gold Myanmar

Is this one for you?The full 10 hours leaves room for a leisurely morning in Mandalay before pickup at 9 AM and gets you back by early evening, but does not allow a second activity that day. Horse-cart rental and Innwa zone fees are optional add-ons at checkout if you want to explore the city on foot as well.

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Top questions

What is Bagaya Monastery and why does it matter?

Bagaya Monastery in Innwa, built in 1834, is supported on 267 teak posts, the largest 60 feet high and 9 feet in circumference. The posts create a prayer hall that is cool, dark and genuinely ancient in feel, making it Innwa's most memorable attraction.

How do I get around Innwa once I arrive there?

You rent a boat to cross the small river that borders Innwa, then switch to a horse-cart on the other side to visit the city's temples and monuments. The horse-cart is optional and can be added at checkout.

What happens at U Bein Bridge?

U Bein Bridge is the largest teak bridge in Myanmar. You visit it twice: once briefly in Amarapura in the morning, then return at the end of the day to watch the sunset from the bridge before heading back to your hotel.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. You have about an hour to eat on your own in Sagaing City between the morning stops and the Innwa portion of the day.

What is Mahargandaryone Monastery?

Mahargandaryone Monastery in Amarapura is the largest teaching monastery in Myanmar, founded around 1914. It is one of the first stops after hotel pickup.