Monywa (; ) is a city in Sagaing Region, Myanmar,
Climate
Monywa and neighbouring parts of the “Dry Valley” are the only places in Southeast Asia where the hot semi-arid climate (Köppen
BSh) occurs.
The city misses the tropical savanna climate (Köppen
Aw) classification due to the very high temperatures and resultant high evaporation levels, alongside a long dry season. The semi-aridity has to do with the “Dry Valley” being located in the
rain shadow of the
Arakan Mountains. Temperatures are very high throughout the year, although the winter months from December to February are significantly milder at around in January. The early monsoon months from April to July are especially hot, with average high temperatures reaching in April.
Monywa received of rainfall on 19 October 2011. This was a new record for rainfall within 24 hours in October in Monywa for the last 47 years. The previous record was on 24 October 1967.[http://www.mrtv3.net.mm/newpaper/2110newsm.pdf Page 19 Col 2]
Capital status
All government offices of
Sagaing Region are located in Monywa, including the regional parliament.
The town is generally recognized as the capital of the region.
[
]
However, groups including the civil society group "Steering Committee for the Return of All Regional Offices to Sagaing City in Accordance with the Constitution" object to this, stating that the use of Monywa as the regional capital is unconstitutional per the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar.
Culture
Monywa is a national hub for poets, and is often described as the center of poetry in Upper Myanmar. The town has served as home to many contemporary poets, including Min Swe Hnit, K Za Win, Kyi Zaw Aye, and Khat Thi.
Transport
Monywa is served by the Mandalay-Budalin branch railway line, but is best reached by bus as the road from Mandalay is in reasonably good shape. Monywa is linked by road to Budalin, Dabayin, Ye-U and Kin-U, and by rail to Sagaing and the Mandalay - Myitkyina line.
Economy
Monywa is a major centre for trade and commerce and for agriculture produce from the surrounding Chindwin valley, especially beans, oranges, pulses and jaggery (palm sugar). In addition, the local industry includes mills for the production of cotton, flour, noodles, and edible oil. Sausages from Alon called wet udaunk are quite popular, and Budalin longyi (sarong) is known for the strength of the fabric and its checked patterns. Monywa's rough cotton are famous throughout Myanmar (with Monywa providing 80% of the country's blankets for a century),
Black market goods from India, especially and bicycle parts, pass through Monywa on their way to other parts of Myanmar.
Attractions
The major tourist attraction in Monywa is Thambuddhe Pagoda , a Buddhist temple with a huge stupa resembling Indonesia's Borobudur. It dates from 1303, although it was reconstructed in 1939. It is said to contain over 500,000 images of Gautama Buddha. Close by is the Maha Bodhi Tahtaung Laykyun Sekkya standing Buddha statue, the 3rd tallest statue in the world, at 115.82 metres (a total of 129.23 metres, including the pedestal). This is the focal point of a sprawling site filled with Buddha statues, bodhi trees, and pagodas, established by the Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Sayadaw in the 1960s. It includes also a 95-metre long reclining Buddha statue.
Another attraction is the Phowintaung cave complex across the Chindwin River River, approximately west of Monywa.
Nyaung-gan Bronze Age cemetery, dated to between 1,500 BCE and 500 BCE, in Budalin with bronze tools, ceramics and stone artifacts is 60 minutes travel on a narrow road north of Monywa.[ Once feted by Myanmar's junta, Bronze Age cemetery site returns to the spotlight, Forntier Myanmar.]
Very few tourists visit Monywa as its facilities are limited.
Education
The city is home to several higher education institutions:
-
Monywa University
-
Monywa Education College
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Monywa University of Economics
-
Technological University, Monywa
-
Computer University, Monywa
Healthcare
Monywa has two public hospitals:
-
Monywa General Hospital
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Monywa Women and Children Hospital
Politics
The insurgent Burmese Communist Party (BCP) was centred in the Monywa area (west of the Chindwin River River) for many years. The Tatmadaw presence in Monywa remains heavy.[ Red dawn: Myanmar’s reborn communist army Frontier Myanmar December 11, 2023 ]
Notable residents
==Gallery==
Notes
External links
