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Irrawaddy River Cruise

The Irrawaddy or, officially, Ayeyarwady River (also spelt Ayeyarwaddy, eventually from Indic revatī "abounding in riches") is a river that flows from north to south through Burma. It is the country's largest river and most important commercial waterway. Originating from the confluence of the N'mai and Mali rivers, it flows relatively straight North-South before emptying through the Irrawaddy Delta into the Andaman Sea. Its drainage basin of about 404,200 square kilometres (156,100 sq mi) covers a large part of Burma. After Rudyard Kipling's poem, it is sometimes referred to as 'The Road to Mandalay'.

As early as the sixth century, the river was used for trade and transport. Having developed an extensive network of irrigation canals, the river became important to the British Empire after it had colonized Burma. The river is still as vital today, as a considerable amount of (export) goods and traffic moves by river. Rice is produced in the Irrawaddy Delta, irrigated by water from the river.

Departure from Mandalay.

Entering the boats.
The boats are leaning against each other on the beach. There is no pier for boats.


Taking a seat on one of the boats.

View of the riverbank from the boat.

Arrival to Mingun.
Mingun is a town in Sagaing Township of Sagaing Region, north-west Myanmar (Burma), located 11 km up the Ayeyarwady River on the west bank from Mandalay.


Departure from Mingun.
Settawya Pagoda in Mingun.


Having lunch on the boat.

Golden Dragon Boat.

Irrawaddy Ava Bridge (left) and Sun U Ponnyashin Pagoda (right).

Sun U Ponnyashin Pagoda (left) and Sin Boe Pagoda (right).

Sun U Ponnyashin Pagoda (left) and Si Mi Ma Nyein Pagoda (right).

Docking the boat on the river bank.
Three little monks wait on the riverbank.


Arrival to Sagaing.
Exiting the boat via a suspended board.

  • Sagaing is the former capital of the Sagaing Region of Myanmar.
  • It is located in the Irrawaddy River, 20 km (12 mi) to the south-west of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the river.
  • Sagaing, with numerous Buddhist monasteries, is an important religious and monastic centre.
  • The pagodas and monasteries crowd the numerous hills along the ridge running parallel to the river.
  • The central pagoda, Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, is connected by a set of covered staircases that run up the 240 m (790 ft) hill.
  • See more at Sagaing - Wikipedia.

The three little monks pose for a photo.

See also

Source

Location

Location: Irrawaddy River, Myanmar (Burma)