Innwa
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles326 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
116
Average
47
Poor
19
Terrible
21

Andrew Y
Singapore, Singapore5,050 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2015 • Solo
I am surprised by the number of reviewers griping about the costs etc. We can of course stay at home and watch TV.

Innwa is the ancient imperial capital of Burma for almost 360 years. So to save USD20 some have decided not to see it fully.

The place is incredible, an ancient kingdom, an abandoned city. I cannot imagine visiting Mandalay without coming here.

The boat ride across is cheap enough at 1,000. The horse cart seemed a bit pricey at 15,000 but later when I realize it is quite a long journey and long duration I tipped the driver.

The cart will bring you to four main places:
Yadana Hsemee Pagoda complex/Daw Gyan Pagoda Complex
Bagaya Monastery
Leaning watchtower of Innwa
Maha Aung Mye Bon San Monastery
Written 11 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Massimo R
La Spezia, Italy198 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2014 • Friends
First of all I would like to point out that Innwa is the site of one of the ancient capitals of Myanmar while Amarapura is another ancient capital , where the famous U-Bein teak bridge is.
The distance between these 2 sites is about 8 miles .
The visit of Innwa is something that is very special . You must cross the Ayeyarwady River on a prehistoric boat which can transport people , bikes and motorbikes .The trip takes about 5 minutes . On the other side of the river you must take a horse drawn buggy for 2 persons , which takes you to the ruins of old Inwa , passing through very dusty roads which twist and turn amongst fields ,peasants and trees .
You can see stupas scattered everywhere around , but the monuments which are worth visiting are 4 or 5 . For me the best thing to see is the abandoned Maha Aungmye Bonzan which is the only monastery in Myanmar built in brick covered by plaster and it is really amazing . Another interesting visit is Bagaya Kyaung , a living monastery built in teak in the 18° century ,
This monastery has 267 very tall and massive columns . You can also see the city walls and the watching tower which is inside . But one of the best things of the visit of Innwa is to go around with your buggy along the tracks falling across nameless abandoned monuments full of mistery and fascination .
Written 21 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kanokkaan
Bangkok, Thailand330 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Friends
My Friends and I bought a full day tour by a taxi and it included Innwa.
A friend of mine wanted to ride a horse cart here which turned out to be a tragic and disappointing thing ever in my trip.

The taxi driver took us to the jetty and we had to pay 1500Ks each for the ferry. It took about two minutes crossing the river.

Then, at the other side of the river a lot of hawkers approached us. They were persistent.
Two women followed my friend's cart and other two followed mine all along the trip (they rode motorcycles) and tried to sell trinkets to us, but I politely kept refusing until the end.

As for the horse carts, they said that only two passengers and one driver are allowed on each cart which is already too heavy compared with the size of the horses. And, I even saw some carts took more than two passengers, so there were, like, five people on a cart! That's terrible! Moreover, I could not see they treat their horses properly: no food, no water. I felt so sorry for them. I will not do it again.

As for the attractions, the horse cart will bring you to four historical places. They were not "wow!" things after you'd seen many things in Mandalay and other cities. Plus, the hawkers, who had been following, just didn't let us have a good look at anything.
After that, the hawkers and cart drivers tried to sell tour to additional places with 5000Ks at each place, and I refused.

During this Innwa trip, in my head was like: I wanna go back.

I was not impressed at all!
You can skip this place, really, It's alright.
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel C
Pattaya, Thailand106 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Solo
I had one of the best days of my life exploring this place on my motorbike. Going on a minibus you really won't see half of what's on offer. Amazing magical place. Come here before it gets too commercialised
Written 17 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heinrich R
Austria571 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Friends
the remains of an ancient city full of pagodas villages,and monasteries between ricefields. inwa (in pali, ratnapura, city of gems) is 1 hour south of mandalay city, you can go by bus, (1 dollar) near the clocktower of mandalay city, then walk the last 7oom, or take a motorbike taxi for 1 dollar (for the last part). then a 5 minute boat ride, again 1 dollar, than you have the choice of horsecarts or walking. i always prefer walking, because the horsecarts stop only at 4-5 places,and go back within 2 hours, but there are dozens of sights, where you want to make a foto.you should not arrive later than 12.00 midday, the last boat back is between 5-6pm.
you can easily walk the same way, as the horsecarts, around 8 km, or better make a detour to the Hanthawaddy village, south of Inwa, i have been in inwa 4 or 5 times already.
Written 17 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kosoesoemdy
Mandalay, Myanmar3,454 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Friends
Most tourists regularly visit Innwa by horse cart & they explore Inside Palace complex & around for just four different attractions ( Bagaya Wooden Monastery , Yadanarsemi Pagoda , Watch Tower & Maha Aung Myae Bon Zan Brick Monastery ( Me Nu Oak Kyaung ). Most missing one of beautiful monastery & it's Lay Htet Kyi Brick Monastery. It's far away from Jetty & horse cart drivers do not intend to take there! If you are going Innwa by car or motorbike , it will be great chance to see this monastery & Mahamuni Pagoda in Innwa at the same place. Highly Recommend to visit Lay Htet Kyi Monastery in Innwa if you have more time there.
Enjoy your holidays in Myanmar!
Written 15 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hanna141
Helsinki, Finland1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Couples
We wanted to walk around the town, but got lost and finally gave in for the persistent horse cart driver that followed us. I felt bad for the whole time riding in the cart. It was a small pony, who obviously had hard time moving. The driver hit the horse all the time to move faster, it was skinny and it's skin and eyes did not look good. Also, the hoofs were outgrown. No wonder that it was difficult for the horse to move. Other horses did not look much better. Please consider also animal welfare and rights issues when doing travel plans. There are plenty of other, even more impressive temples and sights in Myanmar than Inwa.
Written 4 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Da G
Mandalay, Myanmar5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2014 • Friends
It was the best way to cure the stress and strains of being on the fast pace modernization is to flow along with the monotonous rhythm of Myanmar way of life. I felt so settled, and calmed with the cruise over mighty Ayerwaddy River and change the pace of your inner mind while going into the villages where time stands still. We walked through the sleepy villages and meet the genuine smile of the Myanmar people and their waving.
Wander through the village lanes and visit MINGUN BELL, the world’s largest un-cracked bell weighing over 90 tons, the stylish HSINBYUME pagoda and the unfinished MINGUN pagoda dreamed to become the world’s largest chedis by King Bodaw Paya in early 1800s.
The most stunningly beautiful view of Ayerwaddy was while passing Sagaing. Relax on the sundeck while admiring the spectacular river scenery and life on the river banks. There was an option to go ashore to visit Sagaing where more than 6000 monks and nuns live and study with the assistance of the boat Ship Manager.
In the late afternoon we stoped at Yandabo, a village specialize in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826.
Written 23 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SurreyGirl27
Addlestone, UK1,151 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Friends
Great pagodas and the most fabulous teak monastery just on the edge of the village. th horse and cart is more comfortable than others experienced on the trip and Ok a bit too touristy, and very very dusty so consider a light scarf around your face
Written 25 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yeong Y
Penang Island, Malaysia14 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2012 • Friends
Taungthaman Lake at Amarapura of Myanmar is home to one of Myanmar’s most famous sights, U Bein Bridge. The 1.2km wooden bridge is made of teakwood. It was built in the mid of 19th century & is the longest teak bridge in the world. We went there 2X during our trip, once in the morning & once in the late afternoon to see sunset. Even though it was quite hot, but I like the place very much. I managed to see one of the most beautiful sunsets that I had ever seen in my life.
Written 2 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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