The name ‘Mandalay' is perhaps the most evocative of any destination in Myanmar (mainly due to the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling, who in fact only ever spent two days in the country and never came here!) – and yet it is a city whose significant charms need to be uncovered. But if you take the time to explore, there is much to be enjoyed, including many temples, monasteries and markets, as well as great street food and panoramic views from Mandalay Hill.

Compared to the many ancient capitals scattered around the country, Mandalay is in fact a relatively new city, having been built in 1857 when King Mindon was trying to re-establish Burmese prestige after the country’s defeat in the Second Anglo-Burmese War. It was therefore constructed on a grand scale, and the size of Mandalay Palace

MANDALAY SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

Mandalay Palace

The scale of King Mindon’s ambition is obvious on first sight of the vast Mandalay Palace and its grounds. The walled citadel, surrounded by a large moat, is situated in the middle of the city, to the north of downtown; it certainly looks imposing from the outside, but unfortunately, along with much of Mandalay, it was devastated by bombing in the Second World War.

Within its walls you can now find a huge army camp (with obligatory golf course, a must for the generals) and a reconstruction of the original palace, which, as is all too common in Myanmar, has been done with a somewhat heavy hand. However, it is still interesting to visit in order to get an impression of what used to be, and some original artefacts are held at the museum. Entrance is through the east gate; the $10 Mandalay zone ticket is required.

ShwenandawKyaung

In contrast to the reconstructed Mandalay Palace is the ShwenandawKyaung, a perfectly preserved monastery which has recently undergone restoration work overseen by the World Monuments Fund.

Called the Golden Palace monastery in English, it was originally the royal apartment in which King Mindon died, and was sited within the palace walls; it was moved to its current location on the corner of 14th and 62nd streets by Mindon’s son, Thibaw – the last king of Burma – and converted into a monastery. Made entirely out of teak (not gold, despite its name), it is adorned with beautifully intricate carvings. $10 Mandalay zone ticket required for entry.

Mandalay Hill

The place from which the city gets its name, Mandalay Hill is a welcome respite from the heat and dust of the streets, and offers stunning 360 degree views of the whole city, the Irrawaddy River and the distant hills. It is particularly beautiful at sunset, with the fading rays glinting off the gold and green of the Sutaungpyei Pagoda, which is located at the summit. Mandalay Hill is a holy site, and is said to have been climbed by the Buddha, who prophesied that a great city would be built here, where his teachings would flourish.

In religious terms, walking to the top is the most meritorious way to ascend the hill, and on the main route (from the south) you will see numerous interesting payas on your barefoot 45-minute journey, starting with two giant white chintes (giant lion-like creatures) that guard the entrance. It is a gentle climb, all covered, but can get extremely hot, particularly during the middle of the day. The alternative is to take a pick-up to the top – certainly you may wish to take one down again if you have made the effort to do the climb.

ShweIn Bin Monastery

Another building to have stood the test of time, this beautiful and ornate teak monastery was constructed in 1895 by Chinese merchants, and features many impressive woodcarvings and contains a number of traditional art works. The setting, outside central Mandalay, is a peaceful and relaxing place to witness Buddhist monks go about their daily lives. It is located southwest of downtown, by a small river on 89th and 38th streets

Mahamuni Buddha Temple

One of Myanmar’s most important religious sites, the Mahamuni temple often throngs with pilgrims, and is set in a large religious complex that is most famous for its seated Buddha, which stands at 3.8 metres tall and has been adorned with so much gold that its body is now a mass of golden blobs. The one part that is still clear is its beaming face, which is washed by monks, and has its teeth cleaned, in a ceremony every morning (at 4am or 4.30am). The temple is located south of downtown, between 82nd and 84th streets.