Monywa is major commercial hub for agricultural products from the surrounding Chindwin valley. Monywa is situated 136 kms away from Mandalay (about 3-4 hours’ drive). Monywa is famous for Moenyin Thanboddhay pagoda, Boddihi Tahtaung pagoda complex, near-by Standing Buddha Statue,  Reclining Buddha Statue, Pho Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung.

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Division of World Heritage listed,  Halin Pyu Ancient cites

At Halin, the transition from earlier Iron Age cultures is clearly demonstrated allowing an understanding of the indigenous rise of the unique from of Pyu urbanism and the essential link to its environmental setting in the middle Ayeyarwady river basin. Pyu urban settlements are characterized by the sensitive adaptation and development of the extended urban form to the landscape. Halin utilized the site-specific conditions of the slope and soils to irrigate and expand agricultural production and develop the surplus necessary for urban population expansion, labor specialization, and active participation in the growing regional trade networks of the first millennium CE. The different hydrology characteristics of Halin Pyu site needed and included into the property in order to demonstrate the nature, range and sophistication of Pyu engineering and built adaptations to the landscape, with the north to south slope of land and flow of water at Halin.

 

Geo-Cultural Identity

The three Pyu Ancient Cities of Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra whiceh developed and flourished over a period of more than 1,000 years between circa 200 BCE and 900 CE in the Dry Zone of the middle Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River basin within the territory of what is today modern Myanmar. Together, they cover a combined area of over 4,000 hectares, located within buffer zones of a combined additional area of almost 9,000 hectares.

Halin (95’ 49.7” E 22’ 28.2”), 540 hectares, lies 13 kilometers southeast of the modern town of Shwebo within the 1,000 kilometer square basin of the Mu River Valley. The walled site is located between the Ayeyarwady and Mu River with its moats and canals aligned with the prevailing land slope from northeast to southwest. There is a depression to the south now occupied by the Halin-In or lake. Rice yields were probably augmented by irrigation waters from the Nagayon tank which lies to the southeast of the city. To the south of Halin is hot springs associated with rich salt fields, while to the northeast there is access to the largest silver mine in the region. The palace is located near the middle of the site. It locates in the watershed between the Mu and Ayeyarwady Rivers, 18 kilometers southeast of the Shwebo and 24 kilometers east of the present course of the Mu River.

Halin Archaeological Museum

Open daily except Monday adn Gazetted holidays.

Opening Hour : From 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

Admission Fee : Foreigner - 5,000 Kyats  (Free admission for Ambassadors and UN staffs)