Monywa is the largest city in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, located 136 km north-west of Mandalay on the eastern bank of the River Chindwin. It is also known as Neem city because many of the city's streets are lined with Neem trees.
Climate
Monywa and neighbouring parts of the 'Dry Valley' are the only places in South East Asia where you find the Hot Semi-arid/steppe climate. The city barely misses the Tropical savanna/Wet and dry climate classification due to the very high temperatures and a long dry season. This 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 are significantly milder. The early monsoon months from April to July are especially hot, with average high temperatures reaching in April. Monywa received of rainfall on 19 Oct 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 Oct 1967.
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 toBudalin, Dabayin, Ye-U and Kin-U, and by rail to Sagaing and the Mandalay - Myitkyina line. River transport on the Chindwin has always been important as it is navigable for to Hkamti during the monsoon season, and most of the year to Homalin.
Economy
Monywa is a major centre for trade and commerce and for agricultural produce from the surrounding Chindwin valley, especially beans, orange, pulses and jaggery. In addition, the localindustry includes mills for the production of cotton, flour, noodles, and edible oils. Sausages from Alon called wet udaunk are quite popular, and Budalin longyi is known for the strength of the fabric and its checked patterns. Monywa's rough cotton blankets are famous throughout Myanmar, and some can even be found sewn up into knapsacks sold to unsuspecting tourists in Bangkok. Other regional crafts include bamboo and reed products, bullock carts and agricultural implements. The village of Kyaukka is well known for its lacquerware utensils for everyday use. Black market goods from India, especially saris 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 Buddha. Close by is the Maha Bodhi TahtaungLaykyun Sekkya standing Buddha statue, the tallest statue in the world, with 115,82 metres. 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 Phowintaungcave complex across the Chindwin 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. Very few tourists visit Monywa as its facilities are limited.
The insurgent Burmese Communist Party was centred in the Monywa area for many years. Although the BCP is no longer active, the Myanmar military presence in Monywa remains heavy.
Writing community
Monywa is known nationally as a center for poets, and is often described as the poetic center of the north of Myanmar. It is home to contemporary poet and publisher Min Swe Hnit, who has published nearly 100 volumes of poetry as of Winter 2019. Monywa is also home to contemporary poet and political commentator Kyi Zaw Aye.
