Ayeyarwaddy River
Ayeyarwaddy River
4.5
About
The little Jetty here in Mingun seemed to quite busy. There boats coming and going the whole time I was there.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
196 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
85
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
1
German
Singapore, Singapore12 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I didn’t go to Mingun with a public boat, and had to get there anyway, as it is a major point of interest around Mandalay, and I had only one day for a visit.
I took a tuk-tuk to Mingun jetty pier. It seems there is only one location where you can hire a boat. The lady there was hard to negotiate with, she was firm on the price 35k kyat for a private boat roundtrip (or you can go tomorrow morning with a public boat ;)).
I have agreed for 35k and the trip was good. The boat can accommodate 4-6 people on the upper deck comfortably and is operated by a family (I suppose they live on this boat).
The boat has a toilet in good condition.
They also provided vacuum flasks with tea and some fruits.
I took a tuk-tuk to Mingun jetty pier. It seems there is only one location where you can hire a boat. The lady there was hard to negotiate with, she was firm on the price 35k kyat for a private boat roundtrip (or you can go tomorrow morning with a public boat ;)).
I have agreed for 35k and the trip was good. The boat can accommodate 4-6 people on the upper deck comfortably and is operated by a family (I suppose they live on this boat).
The boat has a toilet in good condition.
They also provided vacuum flasks with tea and some fruits.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roland K
Potsdam, Germany1,456 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Largest river of Myanmar with connection of the regions from Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. Business and traveling ships on the river. Tours from Mandalay to Mingun (2h) and from Mandalay to Bagan (10 h). A must for Myanmar tourists.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,639 contributions
Sep 2019 • Business
Day and night, the shallow waters of the wife river are calm and peaceful. It appears to be an unspoiled part of our world. Even many of the smaller boats are likely very similar to what they looked like 200 years ago.
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zsszn
Bratislava Region, Slovakia514 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We arrive 8:30, but it is enough later, to not wait long. The boat was fine, the toilet clean, we stopped 600 m from the Jetty in Mingun waiting for us "millions" of tuk tuks... It is really touristic at all. We have enough time to explore the sights, also eat something (watermelon), by foot. White pagoda is a photospot, then go ahead.
At backway we want to sit inside, but the lady do not allow us. Than we put a seater from upper level and take it inside - I was ill, do not want to be more.
At backway we want to sit inside, but the lady do not allow us. Than we put a seater from upper level and take it inside - I was ill, do not want to be more.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
49 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
Rather than go on the Government Boat at 9am and return at 12noon, we hired our own boat at 12 noon to go over to Mingun. It was a large boat and could take 15 to 20, cost was Kyat 30,000 in all. We stayed in Mingun 2 hours. Take some cold drinks with you as none on the boat. The office to hire the boat is just on the left at the entrance to the Mayan Gyan Jetty
Written October 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthurrvr
Marlborough, UK1,407 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
We all really loved this boat trip on the Irrawaddy from just beyond Mandalay up to Mingun, it was one of the highlights of our trip.
Not because there was lots to see along the river banks or on the river itself as the east bank was pretty flat with reed beds and small fisherman huts while the west bank was slightly better as there were some hills on that side set further back but not much happening there either. River traffic was fairly light, mainly some small fishing kayak type boats and the odd slightly bigger vessel, so also not much happening. Nor was it because we had a luxurious boat. It might possibly be luxury by Myanmar standards but it was very simple with 4 deck-chairs set out for us on the 'upper deck' with just a large green plastic awning to protect us from the sun, no other 'luxuries'. Nor was it because we had lots of good food and drink. All we got was some oranges, bananas, peanuts and a flask of hot water for some tea – plus some bottled water.
In fact it was all of that because sometimes the simple life, as long as it is comfortable enough, can be very pleasing. After many days of hectic travel visiting many glorious, but tiring, sights, it was great to be able to just wind down for an hour and a half (half the time coming back because of the current) puttering gently down one of the world's great rivers and looking at the peaceful scene passing by. As it was nearly dark by the time we left Mingun, there was even less to see on the river banks on the return journey but we were compensated by a really wonderful and atmospheric long lasting (as the sun had to go beneath the western hills before 'really' setting) sunset. We couldn't have asked for more.
It also helped that the boat was just for the 4 of us so we didn't have to share the space with other people. And deck-chairs can be fairly comfortable for a time. The two drawbacks were a) getting on and off the boat both near Mandalay and at Mingun. Not the easiest (see my photos) and no good if you have balance problems but OK for most people and we coped plus b) toilets were very rudimentary to say the least but OK if desperate.
Not really worth doing this boat trip if you are in Mandalay only for one day as there is too much else to do but if there for 2 days or more, then this is a really fun thing to do – and you get to see Mingun.
Not because there was lots to see along the river banks or on the river itself as the east bank was pretty flat with reed beds and small fisherman huts while the west bank was slightly better as there were some hills on that side set further back but not much happening there either. River traffic was fairly light, mainly some small fishing kayak type boats and the odd slightly bigger vessel, so also not much happening. Nor was it because we had a luxurious boat. It might possibly be luxury by Myanmar standards but it was very simple with 4 deck-chairs set out for us on the 'upper deck' with just a large green plastic awning to protect us from the sun, no other 'luxuries'. Nor was it because we had lots of good food and drink. All we got was some oranges, bananas, peanuts and a flask of hot water for some tea – plus some bottled water.
In fact it was all of that because sometimes the simple life, as long as it is comfortable enough, can be very pleasing. After many days of hectic travel visiting many glorious, but tiring, sights, it was great to be able to just wind down for an hour and a half (half the time coming back because of the current) puttering gently down one of the world's great rivers and looking at the peaceful scene passing by. As it was nearly dark by the time we left Mingun, there was even less to see on the river banks on the return journey but we were compensated by a really wonderful and atmospheric long lasting (as the sun had to go beneath the western hills before 'really' setting) sunset. We couldn't have asked for more.
It also helped that the boat was just for the 4 of us so we didn't have to share the space with other people. And deck-chairs can be fairly comfortable for a time. The two drawbacks were a) getting on and off the boat both near Mandalay and at Mingun. Not the easiest (see my photos) and no good if you have balance problems but OK for most people and we coped plus b) toilets were very rudimentary to say the least but OK if desperate.
Not really worth doing this boat trip if you are in Mandalay only for one day as there is too much else to do but if there for 2 days or more, then this is a really fun thing to do – and you get to see Mingun.
Written March 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JR Traveller
Prague, Czech Republic790 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
You can get a private boat or to get the shared one with other tourists to go to Mingun. The return ticket was 5k. There is a Mingun ticket for another 5k which will be sold upon arrival to Mingun. The boat ride is great as it gives you a nice idea of the life around...
Written December 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angtravel18
Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa462 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Sit back in the shade on the top deck of your boat, sip a drink and watch the world go by. Enjoy a fabulous locally-made lunch on the boat. Stop at various places for sight-seeing. Couldn't be more relaxing than that!
Written March 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DilrukshiH
Colombo, Sri Lanka2,668 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
The longest river in Myanmar can be seen from many locations, specially when you visit temples located on top of hills.
This river is the life line of Myanmar as it helps to irrigate the lands, water to drink & bathe also transport goods & people.
Not a beautiful river but when you see it from top of mountain it looks amazing.
This river is the life line of Myanmar as it helps to irrigate the lands, water to drink & bathe also transport goods & people.
Not a beautiful river but when you see it from top of mountain it looks amazing.
Written April 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Friggykeith
Frigiliana, Spain192 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
If you ever spend time on the Irrawaddy and are bored, I feel sorry for you! This river has everything. The whole world of the Far East is encapsulated in a couple of days drifting gently down this magnificent water way. Boats from the tiniest almost " wearables" carrying a guy catching the families dinner, through to huge barges carrying raw materials out of the country or importing the latest agricultural machines will pass you every few hours.
Other places, you'll see water buffalo taking their daily dips upstream of families taking their daily bath in the river. Boats often ground on the frequent sandbars, but everyone takes it in their stride and health and safety are no whee to be seen.
Tiny villages through to decent sized towns frequent the river banks and everyone has a little ferry for people, Ox carts and occasional vehicles to cross to the other side or visit their fields on one of the rivers many islands.
Take a boat sit back with a camera and take it all in it's fabulous.
Other places, you'll see water buffalo taking their daily dips upstream of families taking their daily bath in the river. Boats often ground on the frequent sandbars, but everyone takes it in their stride and health and safety are no whee to be seen.
Tiny villages through to decent sized towns frequent the river banks and everyone has a little ferry for people, Ox carts and occasional vehicles to cross to the other side or visit their fields on one of the rivers many islands.
Take a boat sit back with a camera and take it all in it's fabulous.
Written March 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ciao.io e mio marito vorremmo visitare mengun è possibile nel pomeriggio come hai detto tu. Avete preso barca privata?ma a che ora parte?grazie
Written March 23, 2018
noi abbiamo preso il battello la mattina parte alle 9 o 930 non mi ricordo bene. ti fai portare all'imbarcadero e compri il biglietto a 5 usd. per bagan noi siamo andate in bus, puoi prenotare il biglietto anche tramite l'hotel. vedi tu in base alle vostre esigenze
Written March 25, 2018
Bonjour, J'ai l'intention de partir en janvier 2017 en Birmanie. Je souhaiterais prendre un car de Monywa à Pakokku puis un bateau de Pakokku à Bagan.
Selon ce que j'ai vu cela est possible. Pour le bateau, faut il réserver avant ou est il possible possible de le prendre directement sur place ? merci pour vos infos
Written September 30, 2016
nish_shu
Sapporo, Japan
日本国北海道札幌市在住です。
2017年1月末にマンダレーとバガン間の船旅をする計画です(ほぼ決定)。船の運航状況(毎日or1日おき)、料金、乗船場所などの
詳細情報がよくわかりません。
一応こんな予定です
2017/1/30 バンコクからマンダレー空路
2017/1/31 マンダレーからバガン 船
2017/2/1 バガン1日観光
2017/2/2 バガンからマンダレー 船(バガンの空港が国際空港?なら直接バンコクに帰る
という方法もありです)
2017/2/3 マンダレーからバンコク空路
たくさんの情報を望んでいます。
Written June 28, 2016
Bonjour Yves et les autres voyageurs qui l'ont fait, j'aimerais descendre ou remonter l'Irrawaddy mais de préférence par des bateaux locaux... Est-ce possible ? Et peut-on y dormir ?
Merci d'avance de votre réponse
Muryel
Written April 25, 2016
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