The carving
Stories and figures.
Thant Naing Tun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hans A. Rosbach — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hans A. Rosbach — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hans A. Rosbach — CC BY-SA 3.0
Shwenandaw Monastery is a historic Buddhist monastery of teak near the foot of Mandalay Hill, and its name means Golden Palace Monastery. It is the only major original building left from Mandalay's old Royal Palace, which makes it one of the city's most precious sights. The building was once an apartment of King Mindon inside the palace. After his death in 1878 his son King Thibaw took it apart, moved it to this spot and made it a monastery in his father's memory. It was once covered in gold and glass mosaic, most of which has gone, leaving the dark carved wood. You walk around the building on a raised wooden terrace on posts, past whole panels carved with Buddhist stories, creatures, animals and flowers. Tiered roofs with decorated edges rise above. Inside is a wide hall with huge pillars, some still carrying traces of gold. Kuthodaw Pagoda is under half a kilometre away in a straight line, and Mandalay Palace about 2 km. Visitors go barefoot, so wear clothes covering your shoulders and knees. The 2025 earthquake damaged many buildings around Mandalay, so check what is open before you go. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to this area, so read the current advice before you plan.
Stories and figures.
Stepped tiers.
Huge pillars.
Near the foot of Mandalay Hill, Mandalay, Myanmar
Kuthodaw PagodaKuthodaw Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa at the foot of Mandalay Hill, holding what i6 minutes walk
Mandalay HillMandalay Hill is a 240-metre hill north-east of central Mandalay, and the city t18 minutes walk
Mandalay PalaceMandalay Palace is the last royal palace of the Burmese kings, in the city of Ma25 minutes walkKing Thibaw moved it from the palace after his father's death and made it a monastery.
Morning or late afternoon, when the light shows the carving.