Mandalay

Like other cities in Myanmar, Mandalay is home to many pagodas. It is to be expected, as Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion in the country, with 80% of the population practising it. There are also monasteries to visit in Mandalay, some of which are impressive in their architectural style and construction. Most of the attractions in the city offer tourists a spiritual, if not enlightening, experience. Mandalay is not only a city of temples and monasteries; it can also be considered as city of royalty. The other attractions in Mandalay are reminders of the time when Burmese kingdoms were still in existence. This is the city where the Royal Palace can be found, as well as other structures built by the kings. However, the best attraction in Mandalay is not made by man. Mandalay Hill is the most famous attraction of the city, a necessary stop for any tourist who arrives in this part of Myanmar.
Amarapura 
Some 11km south of Mandalay. It became the capital of the Konbaung Dynasty in 1783 during the reign of King Bodawpaya. Places of interest are Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge across the Taungthaman Lake, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Nagayon Pagoda, Mahagandayone Monastery and cotton and silkweaving cottage industries. 
Atumashi Kyaung 
Built in 1857, the Atumashi Kyaung was one of the last religious construction projects of King Mindon. The name means 'Incomparable Monastery'. The Atumashi is an example of traditional Burmese monastic construction: it features a masonry base with a wooden building on top. However, instead of a multi-roofed design, it has graduated rectangular terraces. Location: Near the base of Mandalay Hill, beside Shwenandaw Kyaung. 
Cultural Museum Mandalay 
Those interested in the royal history of Myanmar will enjoy the collections of Mandalay regalia, as well as royally commissioned art. The museum is also home to coins, palm leaf manuscripts and Bagan-period Buddha images. Opening Hours: 09:30-16:30 Location: On the corner of the 24th and 80th Streets.
Inwa (Ava) 
Known as the Kingdom of Inwa during the Second Myanmar Empire, today it is a small town south of Amarapura. The sights to see in In-wa include Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Bagaya Monastery, the lacquerware factory and Inwa Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwad River. 
Kaungmudaw Pagoda 
It is easy to spot the Kaungmudaw Pagoda because of its imposing structure. The most recognized of all Sagaing stupas, this large dome with a whitewashed edifice was modelled on the Great Stupa in Sri Lanka. The pagoda, which is 46 metres in height, was built to commemorate Inwa's establishment as the royal capital of Myanmar. Location: 10 kilometres from Sagaing, Mandalay Division. S
Kuthodaw Pagoda 
The Kuthodaw Pagoda is home to what is considered as the world's largest book. The pagoda is surrounded with 729 slabs, with each slab having its own stupa and all 15 books of the Tripitaka are inscribed on the slabs. The building of this pagoda was started by King Mindon in1857, the same time work began on the Royal Palace. Location: Base of the south-east stairways to Mandalay Hill. 
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda 
This pagoda, whose name means ‘Great Marble Buddha Image’ was built by King Mindon in 1853 using the Ananda Temple in Bagan as a model. This is why the pagoda sharply resembles the Ananda's exterior. The fame of this attraction can be attributed solely to the large seated Buddha figure made from a single block of pale green marble. It is said that 10,000 men spent 13 days transporting the image from the Irrawaddy River to its current site. Opening Hours: 06:00-20:00 Location: Near the southern entry to Mandalay Hill. 
Maha Myat Muni Pagoda 
The Maha Myat Muni Pagoda, also known as the Mahamuni Pagoda, is the holiest pilgrimage site in Mandalay. This pagoda houses the Maha Myat Muni Pagoda Buddha image, the most ancient and most revered of all Buddha images. The pagoda was built by King Bodawpaya, who took the Buddha image during his invasion of Rakhaing. Opening Hours: 06:00-20:00 Location: Southwest of Mandalay, three kilometres south of the city centre on the road towards Amarapura.
Mandalay Hill 
Almost everyone who visits Mandalay goes to this hill. It is the landmark of Mandalay and also serves as a natural watchtower because it overlooks the city. Visitors often watch the sunrise or sunset over the city plains here because of the stunning views. According to legend, the Lord Buddha visited the hill and made a prophecy that a great city would be established at its foot. Location: Northeast corner of the Mandalay Royal Palace. 
Mandalay Palace 
The Myan Nan San Kyaw, or Royal Palace, was the first palace to be built in Mandalay. Constructed by King Mindon, who moved his capital from Amarapura to Mandalay, the location was chosen because of astronomical calculations and favourable omens. The entire palace complex was destroyed by fire during World War II, but it has been restored. Opening Hours: 07:30-17:00 Location: Between 12th Street and 26th Street. 
Mingun Bell 
A delightful river trip from Mandalay is required to get to this marvelous unfinished temple. Famous for the 90-ton Mingun Bell, supposedly the largest hung bell in the world, it was cast in 1790 on the orders of King Bodawpaya, who wished for it to be installed at the top of his planned giant 150 metre-high pagoda. Due to the king's death in 1819, however, the pagoda was never completed. 
Oo Lwin 
The former British hill station of Maymyo, 67 km east of Mandalay, stands about 1,000 meters above sea level. Though the town was damaged during World War II, several of the old English houses were spared. This is also the centre for Myanmar's small but burgeoning new coffee industry. 
Sandamuni Pagoda 
This Mandalay attraction is most notable for its resemblance to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, because the Sandamuni also has many slender whitewashed ancillary stupas in its grounds. The Sandamuni Pagoda is best known for the Iron Buddha Sandamuni cast by King Bodawpaya of the Konbaung Dynasty in 1802. The cast was brought from Amarapura to its present location in 1874 by King Mindon. Location: Southeast of Mandalay Hill. 
Sagaing 
Once an ancient capital, Sagaing lies 21km south west of the Ayeyarwad River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda (a copy of the Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka), and Ywahtaung village (home of the silversmiths' guild) are places worth visiting. 
Shwenandaw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery) 
This is not only another example of a traditional Burmese monastery, but it is also a piece of the old Mandalay Palace. Part of the royal palace where King Mindon died, the teak structure was moved out of the palace under King Thibaw in 1880 and was converted into a monastery. Location: Near 14th Street.

Mandalay’s hot and dry climate makes it an ideal place to visit at certain times of year but it is not always warm in Mandalay. The city also experiences cold months, so there are times when the temperature drops at night. Travelling within Mandalay is an adventure in itself. The city presents tourists with a number of options with regards to transportation. Those who want to get around with the locals can ride on a bus or on a trishaw. There are also taxis, bicycles and motorcycles to take tourists to their destinations.
Mandalay Weather and Climate 
Mandalay has a semi-tropical climate. It is in the central dry zone of Myanmar, so it receives less rainfall compared to the more tropical south and most of the time, the weather in Mandalay is hot and dry. However, during the cold months, the weather can be quite chilly during the night. The weather and climate in Mandalay should be a serious consideration when packing for the trip to the city. Because of the warm and dry season the city experiences for the majority of the year, visitors should pack light and casual clothing. A comfortable fabric such as cotton is suggested. As for footwear, sandals and slip-ons are best. A pair of sunglasses and a large hat may seem like merely accessories, but these are essentials when going around the city. These provide protection from extreme heat (and dust, in the case of the sunglasses). The weather in Mandalay also necessitates tourists to bring sun block with them. The weather may be hot in Mandalay, but visitors should be modest in dressing. Revealing clothing is considered inappropriate in Myanmar.

Getting Around Mandalay: City Transportation 
Travelling by taxi is a common way to get around Mandalay. There are the usual taxis, and then there are 'blue taxis,' which are small Mazda pick-up trucks which can seat four or so in the covered cab. They are easy to spot downtown, and operate most hours. 
One can also get around Mandalay by bus, which are often crowded, especially during the morning and afternoon rush hours (from 07:00-09:00, 16:00-17:00). There is no air-conditioning in local buses, and some of them are only 32-seaters. The routes of the bus are determined by number, so tourists should familiarize themselves with them to avoid getting lost. 
Another means of transportation found in Mandalay is the trishaw, which still travels along the back roads of the city. The fares are cheaper compared to buses and taxis. No one in Mandalay knows more about important town and tourist information than trishaw drivers, so tourists are encouraged to chat with those who speak English. 
Visitors who want to roam around at their own pace can rent bicycles or motorcycles. There are rental shops, but hotels and guesthouses also offer them at similar rates. 
Things Travellers Should Know When In Mandalay 

• Footwear, such as shoes and socks, should be removed when walking on sacred grounds. When visiting a person's residence, footwear should also be removed prior to entering. 
• Tourists should dress appropriately, especially when visiting pagodas and temples. 
• When in a pagoda or temple, visitors should tuck their feet in when sitting. It is considered offensive when the feet are pointed toward a monk or a Buddha image. 
• Donations are allowed in pagodas and temples, but tipping in general (even in other establishments) is discouraged. 
• Visitors who are on medication should bring enough medicine for the duration of the trip. It is also necessary to bring medicine for diarrhoea. 
• Due to the heat in Mandalay, tourists should keep themselves hydrated. However, only drink boiled water, or water from sealed bottles. Drinking water from the tap is strongly discouraged. 
• It is not advisable to eat raw vegetables and salads. Before eating fruits, it is best to peel them first. 
• Eating from street stalls is discouraged. 
• Before booking a tour, visitors should research about the tour operators in the city and choose the most established and experienced tour operator. 
• You should travel with protection for electrical items in case of voltage fluctuation.