Min Kun

Min Kun (often spelled Mingun) is a small town located on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River, about 11 kilometers north of Mandalay in Myanmar. It's home to some incredible historical sites that most travelers to Myanmar won't want to miss.

The town is most famous for the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an enormous unfinished stupa that would have been the world's largest if completed. Construction began in 1790 under King Bodawpaya but stopped after an astrologer predicted that the king would die if it was finished. Today, you can see its massive cracked base, split by an earthquake in 1839. The site offers great views of the river if you climb to the top.

Another must-see is the Mingun Bell, which weighed 90 tons and was the world's largest ringing bell for nearly two centuries until 2000. Nearby, the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda stands out with its distinctive wavy terraces representing the seven mountain ranges around Mount Meru in Buddhist cosmology.

Most visitors arrive via a pleasant boat ride from Mandalay, making the journey part of the experience. The local community is friendly, and the relatively quiet atmosphere offers a nice break from busier tourist destinations in Myanmar.