Mandalay

Mandalay (Yadanabon), the last capital of Myanmar Kingdom, located in Central Myanmar, 688 km north of Yangon. Mandalay was the largest city after Yangon and also know as Yatanabon Napyidaw which means gems city. It was built in 1857 by king Mindon. Today it become the third largest city as the new city Naypyidaw become  the official city for Myanmar. Mandalay is also the biggest commercial center and the gateway for the Upper Myanmar. The city is well connected by rail, road, river and air links to all parts of the country.

For lovers of arts and crafts, Mandalay represents the largest repository of Myanmar arts and crafts. Skilledcrafts-men make world famous genuine tapestry called "Shwe Chi Htoe" (Golden Weaving), beautiful articles of ivory, wood, marble and stone, silverware and bronze statues according to the time-honoured traditions of their fore-fathers.

In this modern time, roads are filled with motorbikes, bicycles and motor vehicles. You may see the modern style private houses though some old monasteries and historical Pagodas are still remain.The peoples living in Mandalay are mostly migrated Chinese, Shan and Burmese peoples.

Getting there to Mandalay

The only one international route to Mandalay is from Kunming. The other way to get there is by flight via Yangon. From Yangon, there is only one hour to get there. There are many express bus also available to go there from Yangon and other major towns in Upper Myanmar. To get experience, you may take a train from Yangon and other major towns. The Flight schedule, Bus Schedule and Train schedule, you can find in our website.

Sightseeing around Mandalay

Mandalay Hill

Mandalay Hill, 230 metres in elevation, commands a magnificent view of the city and surrounding countryside. The legend has it that the Buddha, on his visit, had madea a prophecy that a great city would be founded at the foot of this Hill.

Mandalay Palace

Most part of the palace was destroyed in the World War II. But the palace walls, four city gates, the wooden pavilions, three bridges, and the surrounding moat are still present as evidence of the majestic Palace City. The impressive Mandalay Palace “ Mya-nan-san-kyaw Shwe Nandaw”, The Mandalay Palace, Nan-myint Saung, Cultural museum are located in Mandalay Ground. A number of palace buildings have been reconstructed within the premises.

Shwenandaw Monastery

This beautifully built monastery was originally inside the palace compound. King Thibaw moved to  this present place on 1880.  The monastery is famous for its intricate wood-carvings and a reminder of the old Mandalay palace.

Mahamuni Pagoda

It was built by King Bodawpaya in 1784 to house the Mahamuni Buddha Image, which he brought from Rakhine State. Being the most revered Pagoda in Mandalay, the early morning ritual of washing the face of the Buddha’s image draws a daily crowd of devotees.

Kuthodaw Pagoda

King Mindon built this [agoda in 1868, surrounding with 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Tipataka text (the Three Baskets of the Buddhist Pali canon). It is often called the “World’s Biggest Book.”

Atu-ma-shi Monastery

Not too far from the Kuthodaw Pagoda, there is the Atu-ma-shi Monastery(the incomparable monastery), built in 1878 by King mindon, and partially destroyed by fire in 1890 and was rebuilt in 1996.

Kyauktawgyi Pagoda

King Mindon built Kyauktawgyi Pagoda(the Pagoda of the Great Marble Image) on 1853 – 78. It stands at the foot of  Mandalay Hill. The Image was carved out of a huge single block of marble stone. The statues of 80 Arahats (the Great Disciples of the Buddha) are around the Image, 20 on each side. The carving of the Image was completed in 1865.

Other Interesting areas

Other attractions are Sandamuni Pagoda, Eindawya Pagoda, Shwe In Bin Monastery, Mandalay Museum and Library, Zegyo Market and Silk Weaving Cottage Industry.

Mandalay’s Surroundings

Amarapura

Some 11km south of Mandalay, there is a town named Amarapura. It was the capital of Konbaung Dynasty during the reign of King Bodawpaya when he moved its capital to Amarapura in 1783. Places of interest are Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge across the TaungThaman Lake, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Nagayon Pagoda, Mahagandayone Monastery and Cotton and Silk Weaving Cottage Industry.

In-wa (Ava)

In-wa is another ancient capital, known as the Kingdom of In-wa during the Second Myanmar Empire. Today, In-wa is a small town south of Amarapura. The sites to see in In-wa include Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Bagaya Monaster, Lacquerware Industry and In-wa Bridge spaning the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Sagaing

Sagaing was once an ancient capital. It lies 21 km south west of Mandalay and beside Ayeyarwaddy River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. Son U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda (a copy of the Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka),a nd Ywahtaung (home of the silversmiths’ guilds) are places worth to visit.

Mingun

Mingun located about 11km upriver from Mandalay on the western banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River.  The town is well-known for its 90 ton Mingun Bell, which is the largest ringing bell in the world; Mingun Pagoda, a huge unfinished pagoda which was built by King Bodawpaya of the late 18th Century; Settawya Pagoda, and Hsinbyume Pagoda.

Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)

Over 1000 metres above sea-level, Pyin-Oo-Lwin  is a popular hill-station about 69 km away from Mandalay. It is well-known for its colonial-style houses with large compound and pine trees, eucalyptus and silver-oak abound in town. Delightfully cool and pleasant the whole year round, the 175 hectare National Kandawgyi Gardens, Pwe Kauk and Ani-sakhan Waterfalls, Goteik Viaduct and Peik Chin Myaung Caves are places to visit.

Monywa

Monywa is aboutn 136 km to the west of Mandalay. It is the commercial centre of Chindwin valley. Sites to see in Monywa are Than-bod-de Pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha Images, Bodhi-ta-htaung (one thousand Bo trees),  Ledi  Kyaungteik Monastery where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 806 stone slabs and Kyauka Village known for its own style of lacquerware.