I ’VE been to Shwebo frequently for many times and many reasons. But I never went around Shwebo to view the sites. This time I intentionally seek out places to visit in Shwebo and found that there were many places of interest.
Shwebo that had five names
When the word Shwebo is mentioned, everyone immediately link it with U Aung Zeya or Alaungpaya who founded the Konbaung Dynasty or the Third Myanmar Empire. The earlier two empires were the First Myanmar Empire founded by King Anawrahta and the Second Myanmar Empire founded by King Bayint Naung. In our history lessons we remembered Shwebo being called as Moksobo, Yadana Theinkha, Konbaung, Yangyi Aung and finally Shwebo. After U Aung Zeya became the first king of the Konbaung Dynasty, he turned his village Moksobo into royal capital or Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar Era (ME) 1115 or 1753 AD. After the reign of three kings the capital was moved to Sagaing and Shwebo remains in history as a town that was once the capital of the country. (Translators’ note: Historical records said the capital was moved to Sagaing after King Alaungpaya passed away)
Going to Shwebo
Shwebo is a town in Sagaing Region 110 km north-west of Mandalay. There are direct bus services between Shwebo and Yangon. Some who want to make the journey at ease rent a saloon car in Mandalay avoiding a long ride on the direct bus. As there are a number of places to visit, I’d suggest a two night three day stay in Shwebo.
Shwebo Palace and palace ground
Shwebo Palace and palace ground is a must for visitors to go. Although it was rebuilt, it was not rebuilt completely like Mandalay Palace. Only some important portions were reconstructed but it was enough to imagine how the original palace would have looked during its golden time. Another important place in the palace ground is near the entrance gate. It is stone pillars surround a tomb where U Aung Zeya was buried. Some say he was buried near Kin Village in Mon State Bilin Township but I’ll not take side on which one was the actual burial place. The palace and the palace ground lies to the west of Shwebo Myoma market. The palace was surrounded by a wall and a moat but the walls are now almost entirely gone. But some parts of the wide moat are still in existence. One such part is a section near Maw Daw Myin Thar Town Corner Pagoda.
Phaya Koe Hsu stone remain of Sayadaw
Another peculiar place to visit is in the compound of Phaya Koe Hsu monastery. The monastery is situated beside the road to a cemetery outside Shwebo. In the monastery compound, kept in a glass coffin lay the body of Sayadaw U Nareindati that had turned into stone after passing away. A short biography of the Sayadaw was displayed beside it.
Land of pagoda
Myanmar being a land of pagoda, there’s no shortage of pagoda to visit in Shwebo. Maw Daw Myin Thar Town Corner Pagoda was where pagoda festival was held annually for people far and near. East of this pagoda is Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. It was one of the many pagodas built by King Alaungsithu of Bagan dynasty. A cave type Shwe Daza Pagoda is also another pagoda built by King Alaungsithu in Shwebo. Near Shwe Daza Pagoda is Chan Tha Gyi Chan Tha Ya twin pagodas and going on further is Zabu Simi Pagoda reportedly built by the parents of King Alaungpaya. These are some of the many pagodas in and near Shwebo.
World Heritage Pyu ancient city Halin
Another place to visit near Shwebo is a more older ancient Pyu city of Halin. The ancient Pyu city of Halin is 45 minutes by car from Shwebo and was about six miles away from Wetlet town. The ancient city was discovered in 1905 and a sys tematic mapping of the area was conducted in 1960-1962. According to carbon dating in 1979 the city was dated to AD 6 period at the latest. The ancient Pyu city Halin was designated as World Heritage. Part of the brick wall of the city could be seen.
Hot springs and small wells
There were many hot springs in the area. During winter time, local villagers as well as visitors can be seen enjoying a bath in some of these hot springs.
Small wells are one more unique thing in the area. These small wells are made up of five small holes that are only deep enough to put in an earthen pot. Once a pot of water was fetched from the well, the water in the well rise back to the same level before the water was drawn out from the well. Another uniqueness of the five small holes is the temperature differences of the water in the holes. It was like having an electrical temperature control of piped water in a modern house. The only difference was that the water in these holes being heated naturally and one with the most appropriate temperature for a person could be chosen as a bathing hole for that person.
Victory Land Shwebo and Shwebo Thanaka
Shwebo is a Victory Land where U Aung Zeya repulsed the invaders and founded the Konbaung dynasty as King Alaungpaya. Some local visitors came to step on the Victory Land as U Aung Zeya did in order to achieve their own version of successes and glories. Some took away a handful of earth for keepsake. There were even private boarding schools for students sitting for the matriculation examination. Even though the teachers and students plays the main role on whether the students passes the examina tion, the fact of attempting to pass it while living and studying on Victory Land may have lent some moral support to both. As for me, I simply bought some Shwebo Thanaka that was one of the most famous Thanaka in the country, as a souvenir and gift for my friends back home.
Translated by Handytips
