Burmese girl holding a red umbrella walking on U Bein Bridge in the morning in Mandalay Myanmar

Mandalay

“Northern Myanmar's former royal capital and cultural centre”

Mandalay, the former royal capital of Burma, conjures a romantic image of the exotic Orient as referenced in popular stories and poems. Today, Mandalay is the commercial, cultural and administrative centre of northern Myanmar where bustling trade and transport activities dominate the town.

The outlying area offers a more serene contrast, with views of the Ayeyarwaddy River and the Shan Plateau. There are a host of temples and historic landmarks to explore in nearby ancient cities including Sagaing, Mingun, Inwa, and Amarapura.

 
 
 

WHY WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE IT

  • An important religious centre with many monasteries and monastic schools found in and around Mandalay
  • Home to traditional arts and crafts including the making of wood and marble stone carvings, gold leaf, tapestries and marionette puppets
  • Situated near several ancient cities including Sagaing, Inwa, and Amarapura
Within Easy Reach Of...
Bagan 30min flight
Heho (Inle Lake) 30min flight
Yangon 1hr 15min flight
Travel Tips
  • Take a short trip to Amarapura, including a visit to the legendary U Bein Bridge and the Mahagandhayon Monastery, home to thousands of monks
  • Climb Mandalay Hill for fantastic views of the surrounding area and the Ayeyarwaddy River
  • Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda and observe male devotees applying thin sheets of gold leaves onto one of the most revered Buddha images in the country
 
 
 

The Kuthodaw Pagoda is home to the world's largest book of Buddhist scriptures

The iconic U Bein Bridge, built in 1850, is the longest teak wood bridge in the world

View of the mighty Ayeryawady River

Men apply sheets of thin gold leaves on the Mahamuni Buddha image, considered one of the most sacred in the country

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