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Monywa

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Monywa is a busy and important city in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar.

Monywa Signboard
Monywa Signboard

It sits on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River. Many people call it "Neem City" because neem trees line the streets. The city is a major hub for trade and business.

Monywa-d04
Monywa-d04

It is a place where many different goods move through the markets. Monywa is also a special center for poets in Upper Myanmar. Many famous poets like Min Swe Hnit have lived there.

The weather in Monywa is very hot and dry. It is located in a place called the "Dry Valley." The Arakan Mountains create a rain shadow over this area. This means the mountains block much of the rain from reaching the city. Because it is so hot, water evaporates very quickly from the ground. The months from April to July are the hottest part of the year.

R Chindwin
R Chindwin

On October 19, 2011, the city set a new rainfall record for that month. This was the highest amount of rain in 24 hours in 47 years.

Monywa has a long history of making important things. For one hundred years, the city provided 80% of all cotton blankets in Myanmar. The local industry includes mills for flour, noodles, and edible oil. People also make many crafts like bamboo items and bullock carts. You can find strong Budalin longyi fabric with checked patterns here. The village of Kyaukka is also known for making lacquerware tools. Some goods from India, like bicycle parts, also pass through the city.

Visitors often come to see the amazing religious sites. The Thambuddhe Pagoda is a very large Buddhist temple.

Monywa-thanboddhay-d13
Monywa-thanboddhay-d13

It was built in 1303 and has over 500,000 images of Buddha. Nearby, there is a massive standing Buddha statue. This statue is 115.82 meters tall, which makes it the third tallest in the world. There is also a 95-meter long reclining Buddha statue at the site. You can even find the Phowintaung cave complex across the river.

It is easy to travel to Monywa by bus or train. The city is connected to Mandalay by a good road and a railway line.

Monywa Tech College
Monywa Tech College

The Chindwin River is also used for transport during the monsoon season. Monywa is a place for learning with many different colleges. Students can study at the Technological University or the University of Economics. There are also public hospitals to help people stay healthy. Monywa serves as a vital link for the whole region.

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File:R Chindwin.JPG
R Chindwin.JPG
File:Monywa-thanboddhay-d13.jpg
Monywa-thanboddhay-d13.jpg
File:Monywa-d04.jpg
Monywa-d04.jpg
File:Monywa Signboard.jpg
Monywa Signboard.jpg
File:Monywa Tech College.JPG
Monywa Tech College.JPG
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