Pwe Gaut waterfalls near Pyin Oo Lwin

MANDALAY is commonly known as Myanmar’s second capital and there are plenty of activities in and around town to occupy tourists and locals alike.

A popular place to visit is the small town of Pyin Oo Lwin, where a five-acre zoological garden and the Pwe Gaut waterfalls provide beautiful and natural surroundings to refresh and clear the mind.

The zoological gardens are a place of interest for everyone, as they contain many species of flora that are unique to Myanmar. Among these are a variety of hardwood trees and some rare species of orchids. A pair of black swans glide across the garden’s lake, completing the tranquil scene.

The gardens also contain a shrine of Buddha relics that lies in a deep gully, surrounded by jungle-like plants. The trek down to the shrine is hard going but there are plenty of small refreshment stalls on the way to help quench your thirst. There is a pagoda hidden in the forest around the shrine, where many people claim to hear the distant roar of tigers as they pay homage.

Only 24 kilometres from Pyin Oo Lwin is a large natural cave complete with stalactites and stalagmites.

Once inside the cave, visitors will feel as though they have been transported back to the Stone Age. Icy water drips from the stalactites and flows down the cavern walls; locals say it is clean enough to drink.

There are a number of ways to get to Pyin Oo Lwin, including buses and cars.

A two-way car ride to the small town will set you back about K10,000 but for thrifty travellers can opt for the K1000 bus trip. Seats should be booked a day in advance.

The town of Amarapura lies to the south of Mandalay and is the home of traditional sarong makers. Many visitors enjoy watching the women hand-weave these colourful masterpieces.

Not far from Amarapura is U Bein’s Bridge, more than 100 years old and stretching across a large, shallow lake.

Other popular tourist destinations are the towns of Kyaukse and Taungpyone. Kyaukse comes alive during the elephant festival in October and Taungpyone is popular during the nat festival in September.

Buses to Kyaukse can be caught from the terminal near the Mandalay Museum in central Mandalay. The bus fares cost about K100 but the prices tend to increase during the lead-up to the festival season.

Buses to Taungpyone can be caught from the Zaycho, also in central Mandalay.

The Sagaing hills surrounding Mandalay are littered with pagodas and stupas.

Many tourists enjoy wandering around the aging buildings and watching the Buddhist monks and nuns going about their business. Despite the comings and goings of monks, novices, nuns and laypeople, the atmosphere of the hills is characterised by the silence that surrounds them.

The historic Thabyedan Fort is situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River in the town of Sagaing and is definitely worth a visit. The fort was used by the Royal Mandalay Army during the third Anglo-Burmese War during the 19th century.

Another stunning feature of the area is the unique Htuparyone Pagoda. Built by King Narapati in 1444, the pagoda has a three-storey architectural style that differs greatly from others in the region.

Also in the Sagaing district, in the town of Mingun, stands the world’s second-largest brass bell, cast by King Bodawpaya in 1808 to be housed in the giant pagoda he had started building nearby in 1790.

Travel to Mingun is best achieved by taking a boat from the jetty at the western end of Mayanchan Road in Mandalay.

Another favourite destination among travellers to the Sagaing district is Inwa.

This small town contains the famous brick monastery built in 1818 by Queen Nanmadaw Meh Nu, the wife of King Bagyidaw.

For those with no specific agenda who want to see as much as Mandalay and the surrounding area as possible, motorbike tours offer a compelling alternative to getting around on your own. Groups tours cost US$20 to $30, depending on the duration of the trip and the distance covered.