An excursion from Mandalay or Sagaing that is a must to do is an early morning visit to Inwa.
I say early morning because not only is the light at its best, but you can enjoy the peaceful village life among the old pagodas before the tourist buses arrive.Its what makes Inwa so attractive.

The rice is being planted, the soil here is fertile and irrigation was not an issue with the Irrawaddy so close at hand.