The best place to take in the views is from Sagaing Hill (US$3 entry ticket, also includes access to Mingun), and if you have the time, you can spend a half day exploring the pagodas, temples and caves that surround it - the undulating back streets are great fun to meander. On the hill is the most famous shrine in the area, the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, originally built in 1312.

Sagaing Hill restaurant (lunch only), owned by an experienced tour guide, Aung Khine, serves a great range of Myanmar and Asian dishes. It is located up in the hills of the Parami Quarter. Phone: +95 72 21874, +95 9 2038141.

The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda Festival takes place in Sagaing in November and features yokhte (marionette) shows that attract villagers from the surrounding countryside; for dates and full Myanmar festival listings, go to our festivals calendar. For a wider selection of photos from Sagaing, go to our Flickr photo album.

We offer a variety of tours of Myanmar that include the sights of Sagaing - find out more here.