Mingun is about 6 miles from Mandalay on the left bank of Ayeyarwady River. A pleasant 45 minutes boat trip along the Ayeyarwady River which one can observe part of the life style of the people living by the river. The world's largest Mingun Pagoda was built during the reign of King Bodawpaya but left the construction unfinished when he died in 1819. There is also a gigantic Mingun Bell weighing 90 tons, claimed to be the World’s largest hung and ringing untracked bell. The Mingun Sanatorium, a nursing home for old age is interesting to visit. Half-day tour out of Mandalay can easily be spent at Mingun.