Mandalay is Burma’s richest historical landmark and, to this day, remains it’s cultural epicentre. Though distinctly provincial, the city buzzes with an enegry more reminisant of a large city on the Indian sub-Continent than any place South-East Asian.

The city was founded in 1857 as the capital by King Mindon and sustained its status as the capital city of the Konboung – Myanmar’s last dynasty. Nowadays Mandalay is culturally & ethically diverse, with the Chinese making up nearly 40% of the population, with the remainder a blend of Burmese, Karin, Nepalese & Shan.

Mandalay is not only an important city for Burmese culture, it is also the principle centre for Buddhism studies in the region. Key places of interest in the city include various monasteries, Kuthodaw Pagoda (home of the world’s largest book) and no visit would be complete without a sunset hike up Mandalay Hill, with its glittering abundance of monasteries & pagodas.

The city is also a major handicraft centre where you can see stone and marble carvers, gold leaf pressing, tapestry workshops, cotton and silk textile weaving, silver smith workshops and bamboo fan factories. If you prefer not to actually visit the workshops you can purchase their goods at the colourful Zeycho Market.

Having travelled around Burma already, you may be familiar with the early to bed / early to rise pace of life. However, in Mandalay you’ll find a lively nightlife (for Burma!), with a decent range of bars & restaurants serving a broad variety of cuisine, reflecting the ethnic mix.

Surrounding Mandalay are ruinous remnants of four deserted previous capitals, each set up by former rulers but now abandoned and left in various states of repair. Depending on your time in the city a visit to two or three of these sites is suggested – but perhaps not all.

Surrounding Mandalay are ruinous remnants of four deserted previous capitals, each set up by former rulers but now abandoned and left in various states of repair. Depending on your time in the city a visit to two or three of these sites is suggested – but perhaps not all.