Mandalay
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The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Myanmar. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Myanmar
- Region
- Mandalay Region
- Population
- 1.2 million
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- Mandalay International (MDL)
- Coordinates
- 21.96°N, 96.09°E
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Overview
Mandalay was the seat of Myanmar's last kings and remains the country's cultural heart, a dusty, sprawling city on the Ayeyarwady river surrounded by monasteries, craft workshops and the ruins of earlier royal capitals.
This guide is written for a time when travel to Myanmar is advisable again. The region was struck by a powerful earthquake in March 2025, and some historic sites were damaged, so check which are open before planning a visit.
Things to see
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Photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0 Mandalay Hill
Climb the covered stairways past shrines to the summit for sunset over the plains and the river.
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Photo: Htanaungg, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kuthodaw Pagoda
Hundreds of small white shrines each house a marble slab inscribed with Buddhist scripture.
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Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahdepper/, CC BY 2.0 Shwenandaw Monastery
A teak monastery covered in intricate carvings, once part of the royal palace.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Wagaung ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0 Mahamuni Pagoda
One of the country's most revered images, a seated Buddha thickly covered in gold leaf by devotees.
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Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 Mandalay Palace
The walled royal citadel, surrounded by a broad moat; the palace buildings are reconstructions.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Heinz_Htetz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sunset at U Bein Bridge
Walk the long teak footbridge across Taungthaman Lake at Amarapura as monks and fishermen pass by.
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Photo: Movingsaletoday, Rich Torres, Burlingame, California, USA, CC BY-SA 4.0 Boat to Mingun
Head up the river to the giant unfinished Mingun pagoda and its enormous bronze bell.
Find tours -
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 Sagaing and Inwa
Explore the hills of stupas and monasteries at Sagaing and the ruins of Inwa by horse cart.
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Photo: Anagoria, CC BY 3.0 Craft workshops
Watch gold-leaf beaters, woodcarvers and stone sculptors at work in the city's craft districts.
Where to stay
Downtown
Central, busy and close to markets, restaurants and transport.
Hotels in DowntownNear the palace moat
Quieter streets with mid-range hotels, close to Mandalay Hill.
Hotels in Near the palace moatRiverside
Larger hotels with views of the Ayeyarwady, a little further from the sights.
Hotels in Riverside
Getting around
Taxis or a hired car with driver are easiest for the spread-out sights; motorbike taxis are common for short trips.
The airport is about 35 km south of the city, around 45 minutes by taxi.
When to go
November to February is dry and pleasantly warm. March to May is extremely hot, and the monsoon from June to October is wetter, though the area is drier than the coast.
Plan your trip to Mandalay
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.