Top Things to Do in the Mandalay | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Mandalay

Places To Visit In Mandalay

Mandalay palace

Mandalay Palace is the royal residence of the of the last Burmese kingdom located close to the city of Mandalay in Myanmar. Called as the Great Golden Royal Palace, the building is one of the famous landmarks and among top attractions for tourists visiting the city. The ancient watchtower and the Throne room are among the places of interest in the palace. The massive palace complex is known for its elegant yet straightforward Burmese style of architecture. It consists of many structures built with a wall surrounded by a moat, most of which were administrative buildings. Mandalay Palace was constructed in 1859 and was home to King Mindon and King Thibaw, the last known Burmese monarchs. It was later occupied by the British during their colonial rule and was converted to a heritage site by the government after Myanmar's independence. Read More

Phowintaung is a Buddhist cave complex located close to the town of Monywa in Sagaing Region in Myanmar. It is situated on the banks of the River Chindwin and is a popular attraction among tourists interested in Buddhist caves. Phowintaung is known for the cave architecture and monastery, home to hundreds of young monks from across the country. The complex contains more than 900 caves, which are highly decorated with murals depicting Jataka stories and journeys of the Buddha. The caves house hundreds of statues of Buddha in various sizes, most of which are made of sandstone. The paintings and these statues are from the 14th to 18th centuries and were donations made by the people during the Mon and Pagan dynasties. Read More

The Sandamuni Pagoda or Paya is located to the south of Mandalay Hill in Myanmar. It is known for the large image of Buddha made of iron built by King Bodawpaya in the early 18th century. Unlike other pagodas closeby, it is not well known among tourists exploring Mandalay hill, but worth checking out. This white temple with rows of small stupas surrounded by a central golden stupa resembles the nearby Kuthodaw Pagoda in architecture. The central circular dome is inspired by Maha Zeti pagoda in Ceylon. Read More

Shwenandaw Monastery, also called Golden Palace Monastery, is a Buddhist pagoda located close to Mandalay hill in Myanmar. This teak wood structure was a part of the royal palace at Amarapura. It is one of the major historic attractions for tourists visiting Mandalay. Shwenandaw Monastery was built in 1878 by King Thibaw Min, on the grounds of an apartment of his father in the traditional Burmese architectural style. It is known for the rich architecture, teak wood carvings, and decoration of the monastery with gold gild, heavy mosaic, and walls adorned with precious stones and gems. Read More

Su Taung Pyi Pagoda is a Buddhist temple located atop Mandalay hill in Myanmar. It is one of the pagodas built by King Anwartha in the 11th century. It is a popular attraction for tourists who visit the pagoda for witnessing beautiful views of the sunset overlooking the Irrawaddy River. Su Taung Pyi was maintained by hermit monk U Khan Dee who spent more than 40 years of his life on the Mandalay hills raising funds for pagodas.

U Bein Bridge is a crossing across Taungthaman Lake near Amarapura, close to Mandalay city in Myanmar. Stretching for about 1.2km, it is the longest teakwood bridge in the world. U Bein is one of the most popular attractions in Mandalay for tourists who come here to witness the magical sunset over the bridge. Sunrise time is also the best time to visit U Bein bridge as you can see local fishers heading out across the lake, along with beautiful sunrise views. The bridge was built in 1850 from wood reclaimed from the former Palace in Inwa. It consists of over 1100 wooden pillars across the lake, a few of which have been replaced by concrete posts. Read More

Zay Cho, also known as Zego, is a market located in the heart of Mandalay city in Myanmar. A five-storeyed building houses the market, and it is unlike the traditional Burmese outdoor street markets. It is recommended to visit the market if you plan on buying some cheap souvenirs. The original market dates back to the 15th century, during the Pagan dynasty, when it was a major hub for trading precious stones. Today Zay Cho houses plenty of shops selling silk, jade, electronics, spices, fabrics and souvenirs. Read More