Kyaukse

Kyaukse is an ancient town located 45 km south of Mandalay, about a 1 hour drive.

One of the main attractions in Kyaukse for loclals and tourists alike is the Thadingyut Elephant Dance Festival that has been held there for nearly 1,000 years. Locals create three types of elephant replicas, full sized traditional and also sequined elephants and some baby elephants. Two people stand inside the replicas and perform traditional dances. Competitions are held for the best designs and best dancers.

The Thadingyut Festival is also known as the Lighting Festival of Myanmar. It is held on the full moon day of the Burmese lunar month of Thadingyut at the end of the Buddhist lent period. It is the second most popular festival in Myanmar. In 2018 the festival will be held around the 24-26th of October. Check for any changes in dates.

Year round attractions in and around Kyaukse include the spectacular Dat Taw Taung Cave with its recling and seated Buddha statues located inside a large natural cave on top of a small mountain about 10 km outside of Kyaukse.

You can also see the recently excavated Tamok Shwegu pagoda, built over 800 years ago with its murals and very unusual statue of three buddhas one inside each other and you can also visit the busy local markets.

Combine a trip to Kyaukse with a visit to the snake pagoda at Paleik.