The Mingun Pahtodawgyi is one of Myanmar's most striking ruins — an enormous unfinished stupa that would have been the largest in the world had King Bodawpaya completed it. Construction began in 1790 but was abandoned after the king's death in 1819, leaving only the massive brick base standing about 50 metres high.
A powerful earthquake in 1839 split the structure with deep cracks that are still clearly visible, adding to its dramatic appearance. You can climb partway up for views over the Irrawaddy and the surrounding countryside.
Nearby, the Mingun Bell — one of the largest functioning bells in the world — and the elegant white Hsinbyume Pagoda are worth visiting on the same trip. Mingun is reached by a 45-minute boat ride upstream from Mandalay's jetty, and most visitors combine all three sites in a half-day excursion.