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Mandalay

Mandalay (မႏၱေလး), Myanmar's second city, is a relatively new creation, founded at the foot of Mandalay Hill in 1857 by King Mindon as his royal capital. The hill, its slopes studded with pagodas, still looms over the city. But Mandalay was bombed flat in WWII and the palace disappeared, along with much else. The palace was rebuilt in the 1990s, and since then Mandalay has undergone a construction boom and has developed its own charm. There are splendid markets, many monasteries, Indian temples, mosques, gold workshops and a bustling, working riverside to wander, as well as a thriving teahouse culture.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • View over the moat of Mandalay Palace to Mandalay Hill with its many temples; Shutterstock ID 241383850; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI 241383850

    Mandalay Hill

    Mandalay

    To get a sense of Mandalay’s pancake-flat sprawl, climb the 760ft hill that breaks it. The walk up covered stairways on the hill's southern slope is a…

  • The golden buddha of Mahamuni Paya.

    Mahamuni Paya

    Mandalay

    Every day, thousands of colourfully dressed faithful venerate Mahamuni's 13ft-tall seated buddha, a nationally celebrated image that’s popularly believed…

  • Mya Kyauk Kyaung at Yankin Hill, Mandalay.

    Yankin Hill

    Mandalay

    Staring distantly towards Mandalay Palace, temple-topped Yankin Hill is worth climbing for views of greater Mandalay's rice-field setting and of the Shan…

  • The Shwe In Bin Monastery, the old teakwood sculpture temple in Mandalay, Myanmar.

    Shwe In Bin Kyaung

    Mandalay

    A meditative departure from the usual Burmese 'douse-it-all-in-gold-and-pastels' aesthetic, this gorgeously carved teak monastery is beloved by tourists…

  • Marble Workshops

    Marble Workshops

    Mandalay

    Lining the Sagaing–Mandalay road, just southeast of Mahamuni Paya, is workshop after workshop (an estimated 75 in total) where you can see (or purchase,…

  • Sunset at wall of Mandalay palace

    Mandalay Palace

    Mandalay

    The 1990s reconstruction of Mandalay's royal palace features more than 40 timber buildings constructed to resemble the 1850s originals. Climb the curious…

  • Jade stones and jewelry at the Jade Market, Mandalay, Myanmar.

    Jade Market

    Mandalay

    Rock dust and cheroot smoke fill the air in this heaving grid of cramped walkways, where you'll find a mass of jade traders haggling, hawking and…

  • Walls of citadel which contains Mandalay Royal Palace, Mandalay, Myanmar

    Moat & Fortress Walls

    Mandalay

    Viewable only from the outside, a 230ft-wide moat and well over 4 miles of crenellated 26ft-high walls form a vast square around the site of the former…

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Articles

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