On the western side of the lake, the Nga Hpe Kyaung is famous for its jumping cats, trained to leap through hoops during the slow hours between scripture recitals. Cat-jumping shows are sometimes put on for visiting tourists and the cats get treats for their efforts, so they seem fairly happy too.
A better reason to visit the pagoda is to see the collection of ancient buddha images. Constructed four years before Mandalay Palace, the huge wooden meditation hall has statues in the Shan, Tibetan, Bagan and Inwa (Ava) styles displayed on ornate wood and mosaic pedestals.
