The Ubein Bridge, Mandalay, Myanmar

Mandalay

Mandalay is located on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, in the center of Myanmar. Mandalay was the royal capital city under the reign of the last king of Myanmar. The city was founded in 1856 and was destroyed in the World War II.

Mandalay Myanmar
Mandalay Myanmar

 

King Mindon, who reigned Myanmar from 1853 to1878, founded the city out of wild land area at the foot of Mandalay Hill. The King was a devout Buddhist follower who helped to make Mandalay and the surrounding region into the Buddhist center of Myanmar. His legacies left are hundreds of pagodas, monasteries and nunneries found in Mandalay and its neighborhoods nowadays.

While destroyed in the war, the remains of the once splendid architectural monuments of Mandalay are enough to make it a relaxing and charming destination. Besides, Mandalay is the cultural center of Myanmar and the economic center of the Upper Myanmar.

Mandalay is 650km north of Yangon. There are networks of rail roads, motor roads, airways and waterways connecting Mandalay and other cities in Myanmar.

Mandalay tourist attractions

  • Mandalay Hill: 360-degree view of Mandalay
  • Mandalay Palace: Remnants of an ancient kingdom of Myanmar.
  • Ancient pagodas: Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda, Atumashi Kaung, Shwenandaw Kaung, Mahamuni Pagoda.
  • Craftsmen’s Quarter: century-old occupations weaving silk fabric; making gold leaf, marble statues and embroidered tapestries...

Nearby tourist attractions

  • Amarapura: 11km south of Mandalay with ancient pagodas, monasteries and especially the famed teak-wood Ubein Bridge.
  • Sagain: 21km south-west of Mandalay with monasteries and meditation centers.
  • Inwa: an ancient town from the 14th century with century-old pagodas and monasteries, 30km south-west of Mandalay.
  • Mingun: Boat trip upriver for the unfinished pagoda of Mingun with huge bell. Chances to watch Irrawady Dolphins.
  • Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo): Hill station with colonial architecture and cool climate, 60km from Mandalay.
  • Monywa: ancient trading town, temples and crater lake. The town is 140km north of Mandalay. Boat cruise from Monywa to Bagan is 4 hours and a half with spectacular scenery.