November 02, 2020
(Part-I)
By Thiha Lu Lin
(THIHA, THE TRAVELLER)
MOGOK is really cool and beautiful in all seasons. I have been there two times in the raining season and two times in winter. After two years of my last visit to Mogok, everything has become new to me and there are also many new places to visit there.
The reason I learnt more about new places was that I didn’t go on my own like I used to, instead, I joined a tour from Mogok Ikan Travel for my visit to Mogok this time.
Mogok Ikan is a tour agency based in Mogok. It was convenient since the tour included food, transportation, accommodation and sightseeing to every place of the town as well as the service provided historical knowledge and beautiful photos at the same time.
Two-night and three-day trip to Mogok
Two-night and three-day trip is enough to visit Mogok. Two-night sleep of Mogok Ikan Travel is not sleeping on bus as some other tour packages, I slept in a good hotel for two full nights and the tour was almost three full days. I slept in the car on the way to Mogkok and arrived in the next early morning. After fresh-up, we started the tour. It was really convenient because the tour included not only breakfast, lunch and dinner but also local snacks on the first day.
The second day included hotel breakfast lunch and dinner. The tour was finished until 3 pm on the third day and I was impressed that the tour made sure not to miss any place in Mogok and not to miss any local foods.
How to get to Mogok?
People can reach to Mogok via flight from Mandalay or by car from Yangon as well as by bus. I went there by High Class bus and it was noticeably safe.
I liked the safe driving on the 999 turns of Madara-Mogok road. Bus attendants were also very helpful: gaving the necessary medicines, lucky draw programme once the bus started going and giving 3,000 kyats gift vouchers for the next time you buy a ticket.
Mogok can be reached from Madara or Pyin Oo Lwin. Madara road is better and safer than Pyin Oo Lwin road although it has a lot of turns whereas Pyin Oo Lwin road is very narrow bad. Besides, security is not always considered good.
Remember Mogok Ikan for the visit to Mogok
In Mogkok people often have to contact car rental agents from hotels. It is a little difficult to know in advance. When Mogok Ikan Travel arranges the tours, it is very convenient for visitors to Mogkok. It is a one stop service with a wide range of fine restaurants and local cuisine and also a wealth of information on places to visit and knowledge. 180,000 kyats (excluding the car to come to Mogok) for one person for two-night three-day hotel, foods, tour car, guide and a photographer is more than worth it.
If you want to visit Mogok with Mogok ikan, you can call 095010534, 09402525708.
Visiting Mogok
To visit Mogok, as mentioned earlier, we can visit on our own without having to go through a local tour. Here are places to visit in Mogok. But the visit will not be easy by asking for directions to the way to places. If we join a tour, we can relax and unwind.
I’m not going to travel with this person asking for directions. Once connected, you can relax and unwind. To visit Mogok, it should be divided into East and West (Kyat Pyin). It has a lot to do with its parts.
Shwezigon Pagoda
From the Shwezigon Pagoda built by Sitagu Sayadaw, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the mountains. There is also a globe-shape pagoda nearby, and Shwezigon is now being rebuilt on the former globe-shaped pagoda. This place is a great place to see the scenery.
Ancient pagodas at the East-Village monastery
It is a unique feature of Mogok to see the ancient pagodas around the city. Ancient pagodas can also be seen at the foot of Chanthagyi Pagoda and in this East Village Monastery near Kyarnikan Lake (Kya Lake near Gems Office) on Bogyoke Road. These are some of the famous pagodas in Mogok.
Linn Yaung Chi 28 pagodas
If you are interested in mountaineering pilgrimage, you can also visit the Twenty-Eight Pagodas. You may have a slight knee pain as you have to climb stairs from the slope. It is a pagoda that can be seen on a high mountain from Mogkok.
Phayar Ta Htaung Chinese Temple
Phayar Ta Htaung Chinese Temple also known as the Chinese Nunnery, is a good place to visit. You can explore the monastery and see a thousand Buddha statues on the walls.
Chan Tha Gyi Pagoda
Chan Thar Gyi Pagoda, said to have been built by the king of Pyi, is located in the center of the city. Old people knows it as Minn Pagoda. Chan Tha Gyi Pagoda was built in 1538 AD by King Min Khaung and is now 482 years old.
Chan Tha Gyi Pagoda is located on a hill, so you can see the beauty of the eastern part of Mogok up close.
Inside you can see statues and the identical pagodas with Chan Tha Gyi pagoda made by silver and gold.
You will also see pre-donated relics for the renovation of the pagoda. People donated all kinds of Mogkok Gems. There are also jewelry stores and souvenir shops on the way to the pagoda.
Historical Shwe Gu Gyi Pagoda
The historical Shwe Gu Gyi Pagoda is located near Chan Tha Gyi pagoda.
Maha Muni Pagoda
People also pay visit Maha Muni Pagoda which is near the Pan Chan Htar Pwai.
(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung, Khine Thazin Han )
