Mandalay
The last royal capital and cultural heart of Myanmar - a city of the great moated palace, hilltop pagodas and monasteries, and, at nearby U Bein, the world's longest teak footbridge.
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Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar, is the cultural and religious heart of the country, a busy city on the Irrawaddy River dominated by the vast moated square of the old Royal Palace and the temple-topped Mandalay Hill above it. Around it lie a wealth of pagodas, monasteries and traditional crafts, from gold-leaf beating to woodcarving, and at nearby Amarapura the famous U Bein Bridge, the longest teak footbridge in the world, is a magical spot at sunset.
What you actually see
- Mandalay Hill - the temple-topped hill and its sunset view.
- The Royal Palace - the vast moated palace complex.
- U Bein Bridge - the world's longest teak footbridge, at sunset.
- The crafts and monasteries - the gold-leaf, carving and teak monasteries.
When to go
November to February, the cool dry season, for the most comfortable weather, as Mandalay is one of the hottest cities in Myanmar; the U Bein Bridge and Mandalay Hill are especially beautiful at sunset.
Honest expectations
The city itself is hot, busy and, beyond its highlights, a fairly workaday place, so the appeal is the sights around it and the crafts rather than the urban centre. The Royal Palace is a modern reconstruction, as the original was destroyed in the war.
Nearby
The ancient cities of Amarapura, Inwa and Sagaing and the road to Bagan are nearby.
What to pack for Mandalay
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
