Mandalay Travel Guide

Mandalay Travel Guide

Once the royal capital, Mandalay remains the economic and religious hub of northern Myanmar. Wander the city’s neatly planned streets  - a remnant of the British imperial presence - and sample the unique cuisine, influenced by neighbouring China and India as well as local traditions.
mandalay pagoda

Built in 1861 by King Mindon, the Royal Palace was significantly damaged in World War II. Shwenandaw Monastery - made out of intricately carved teak wood -.was the only part that survived. A museum houses royal paraphernalia as well as replicas of the kings’ throne rooms complete with wax statues of the rulers.

What to do in Mandalay

Make your way to Mandalay Hill, where you’ll encounter several monasteries, temples and pagodas along the 230m climb to the summit. The Kuthodaw Paya complex at the foot of the hill is home to the world’s largest book. Nearby, Sandamuni Paya houses the world’s largest iron Buddha image. The view from the top is particularly stunning at sunset. 

Also pay a visit to Maha Myat Muni Paya, Myanmar's second holiest pilgrimage site, which features a 4-metre high golden Buddha statue. Visit around 4.30-5am to see the ceremony of washing the statue’s face, usually attended by hundreds of people.
mandalay wood carving

Food Diversity

As a major trading center, Mandalay offers a wide array of culinary specialties influenced by neighbouring countries as well as other regions of Myanmar. This is a great place to try Muslim Chinese noodles, flat noodles with spices and chicken, and htou moun, a sweet dessert that is a local specialty. You can also sample dishes from the Shan state such as lahpet thohk, a salad of pickled tea leaves topped with crunchy peanuts and garlic, and Shan tohu, made from ground chickpeas or yellow split peas and eaten either in fritters or in a salad. 

Something Special

Mandalay is very photogenic ! visitors will find chances to capture the haunting sunset by Ubein, the longest teakwood bridge in the world or capture the verdant valley where Irrawaddy River flows through. 
Those who know about the Irrawaddy Dolphin will love to know that from Mandalay, you can travel up river and spot this precious animal in the wildlife. 
 

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Insider Travel Tips 

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