Must Visit Attractions In Mandalay

Mandalay hosts the erstwhile royal city which houses the royal palace and a museum. It is located on a square citadel surrounded by four 2-kilometre long walls with 48 turrets and 12 gates, one for each zodiac. Encircling the citadel is a picturesque 60-metre wide moat with a number of bridges. The complex contains audience halls, throne halls, a monastery, a watchtower, a court building, a tooth relic building and a library.

Mandalay Hill lies north of downtown Mandalay and is 230m high. It is dotted with pagodas and Buddhist temples. The fabulous panoramic view of the city, especially at sunrise or sunset, is worth the effort of the barefooted climb on the covered stairway on the hill’s southern slope. Tourists can also drive, however the colourful processions of prayer and the hawkers selling their wares are only visible while walking uphill.

Maha Myat Muni Pagoda is located at the southwest of Mandalay. The highlight of this pagoda is the 4 metres high bronze statue of Buddha weighing 6.5 tons with a crown decorated with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and variety of jewels. The early morning rituals of washing the face of Buddha ‘s image draws a daily crowd of devotees.

Kuthodaw Pagoda lies at the foot of Mandalay Hill and is one of the must-visit places for tourists. This pagoda was built by King Mindon in 1868 and is surrounded with 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Tipitaka text. It is famous for World’s largest book which is a listed item in Memories of UNESCO.

Shwenandaw Monastery is located quite close to the Atumashi Monastery in Mandalay. The teak building is carved with beautifully designed motifs and mystical creatures. It was once entirely covered in thick gold, but at present, only the interior gold remains due to the harshness of the tropical weather.

Atumashi Monastery is located at the north-eastern part of the Mandalay Palace and is only a 10-minutes drive from the Royal Palace. Built by King Mindon in 1857, the original teak structure burned down in 1890 after a fire in the city destroyed the monastery and a 30-feet tall Buddha image. The monument was reconstructed in 1996

This Jade Pagoda, named ‘Werawsana’, is the world’s largest jade pagoda. The structure of pagoda is entirely built with jade pieces and slabs which cost US$15 million. It is 75 feet 6 inches in high and 175 feet in circumference and each terrace is 52 feet 6 inches in long and broad and 12 feet in high. 30,000 Jade Buddha statues decorate the outer structure of the pagoda.

Tourists who would like to take a glimpse of the local market as well as indulge in a shopping spree can visit the Zegyo Market Place located at the heart of Mandalay. One can get practically everything here – from groceries to fine fabric. Tourists can pick up souvenirs and local products here.

• Shwe In Bin Monastery

• Yaw Min Gyi Monastery

• Snake Pagoda

• Haggle for jewellery at Jade Market

• Celebrate satire with the Moustache Brothers

• Experience the delightful chaos of Flower Market

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