Mandalay

Mandalay is located on the banks of the majestic Irrawaddy River, 700km north of Yangon. Founded in 1858 by King Mindon at the foot of Mandalay Hill to realize an ancient prophecy about the founding of a Buddhist metropolis, this city was the royal capital of the kingdom of Ava until the conquest of the British in 1885.
Nowadays, the city is the second largest city of Burma and is also the capital of the region of the same name in the heart of the country. With its many historical monuments, monasteries and pagodas, Mandalay remains the Burmese cultural heart and a Buddhist religious center. With about 150 monasteries, Mandalay is home to more than half of the country's monks. The main center of tourist attraction is its Buddhist monuments, carvings of wood, marble and the manufacture of gold leaves.
Historical monuments, shrines, the unspoilt beauty of the Shan Mountains and the Irrawaddy River make Mandalay become an unmissable tourist attraction in Burma's trip for all tourists. Mandalay is considered a living city still in its past. Upon arrival in Mandalay, tourists will dive into the sacred history, tradition of this city. Visits to pagodas and monasteries help you go back in time to return to the prosperous period of the kingdoms in the history of Burma. Particularly, travelers will also be seduced by the royal capitals around Mandalay such as: Amarapura, Inwa, Sagaing and Mignun which are also the spectacular sites.
 
Shwenandaw Monastery
The Mahagandayon Monastery is one of the most important historical monuments and is also the most significant building in the history of Burma.
It was originally part of a royal wooden palace located in Amarapura - the former royal capital, located near the current U Bein Bridge. This palace was moved in 1857 by King Mindon in his new capital, within the walls of Fort Mandalay. This monastery made of carved and carved teak is truly a masterpiece of Burmese architecture. The building is surrounded by a teak platform with elaborate carvings and marble pillars. Naga and other mythical animals, as well as dancers, flowers and vines are carved on the panels inside and out. There is a replica of the throne of the Lion (royal throne) and exceptional sculptures of the Nats, the spirits who worship the image of the Buddha.
 
Royal Palace
If you intend to travel to Mandalay, the Royal Palace will be a destination not to be missed. Located in the heart of Mandalay, the Royal Palace is the last palace of the Burmese monarchy. This palace was built by King Mignun from 1857 to 1859. In June 1857, the royal palace of Amarapura - the former capital of the Burmese kingdom near the present U Bein bridge - was dismantled and transported by elephants to the foot of Mandalay Hill. The palace was completed two years later in 1859. Unfortunately, it was destroyed almost entirely in 1945 during the Second World War.
Originally, the Royal Palace gets along remarkably well over an area of ​​4 square kilometers in the center of Mandalay. It was surrounded by four ramparts 9m high and surrounded by moat 75 meters wide. All the 169m stood guard towers topped with golden roof. Each rampart had three gates and five bridges over the moat. In 1990, it was rebuilt identically.
Nowadays, the buildings have administrative and military functions of the region, but the central part including the royal palace and the museum is open for all tourists.
 
Kuthodaw Pagode
Upon arrival in Mandalay, you can not miss Kuthodaw Pagoda - a magnificent religious complex. Built in 1857, on the model of the Shwezigon pagoda by King Mindon, the pagoda is home to the world's largest book. Kuthodaw is surrounded by 729 marble stelae, each inside a small stupa, where sacred Pali texts of Theravada Buddhism are written. At Kuthodaw Pagoda, Burmese families often come to picnic, gather flowers to make necklaces for Buddha statues, while their children play hide and seek among the stupas. The discovery of Kuthodaw pagoda brings you a deep insight into Burmese culture and religion.
 
Mingun
Located 11km from Mandalay on the bank of the Irrawaddy River, Mingun is a small town in the Sagaing region. However, in terms of tourism, this city has many famous historical monuments and beautiful landscapes. Mingun is known for the unfinished stupa of King Bodowpaya - Pahtodawgyi Pagoda. This pagoda was built in 1790 but the construction ended because of a prophecy of the death of the king. This city also has a giant bell. With its heaviness of 99 tons, it is the largest bell in the world. In addition to the unfinished pagoda and the giant bell, the white pagoda of Hsinbyune is one of the original monuments of Burma. It is an impressive meringue built by cement in 1816 by King Bagyidaw for his dead wife giving birth to his son. This building is reminiscent of the Taj Mahal because its history is just as tragic. The stupa symbolizes Mount Meru and the 7 mountain ranges that surround it.
 
Amarapura
Amarapura - The City of Immortals, is an ancient capital of the Burmese Kingdom during the 18th century. Located 11km south of Mandalay on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, this city was built by King Bodawpayaen in 1783 and was considered a political center of the country until the construction of Mandalay in 1857. The city is well known for traditional weaving of silk and cotton.
In terms of tourism, Amarapura has famous monuments such as: Buddhist Monastery of Mahagandayon where has more than a thousand monks. You can observe the processional ritual of the monks who come to receive their last meal of the day ... Besides the monastery, it is the U Bein Bridge - the historical symbol of the city, is the most visited site in Amarapura. Built in 1782 by Mayor U Bein, this wooden bridge is located on Taungthaman Lake. It crosses the lake and ends near Kyautawgyi Paya. 1.2 km long and with 1060 pillars, it is the longest teakwood bridge in the world. Tourists can rent boats to admire the bridge from the lake, a good opportunity to take pictures. Especially, the sunrise and sunset on the bridge will be an unforgettable experience of all the tourists in your trip to Amarapura.
 
Inwa (Ava)
Inwa is an ancient royal capital of Burma, located in the Mandalay Region, near Sagaing and Amarapura. Founded in 1364 by Thadomin Paya, this city was the capital for nearly 400 years from the 14th century to 18th century. One of the peculiarities of the city is that you can visit the whole city by horse-drawn carriage. In Inwa, tourists plunge into the Buddhist world with its monasteries, its ancient pagodas of this city. So, the Bagaya Monastery is a must-see - one of the most beautiful buildings in Inwa. Built in 1867, this monastery is supported by 267 pillars. The prayer room is majestic with varied patterns on the beams. A trip to Inwa helps you discover some of the sacred history of Burma, including the kingdom of Ava.
 
Sagaing
Sagaing Hill is the capital of the Sagaing region. Located on the western shore of the Irrawaddy, 20 km southwest of Mandalay, Sagaing is a religious and monastic center and has many Buddhist monasteries. It was the capital of the Sagaing Kingdom (Burmese-Shan) from 1315 to 1364. So, Sagaing is an ideal destination for religious tourism. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, KaungHmudaw Pagoda (a replica of Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka) or Ywahtaung Village are the most visited sites in Sagaing. In addition to the pagodas and monasteries, the Ava Bridge is also a must-see monument in your journey. The 16-span bridge built by the British in 1934 connects Sagaing to Mandalay. Tourists can travel to Sagaing for a day trip from Mandalay.