As the second largest city and the last royal capital of Myanmar, Mandalay is the centre of Burmese culture, dotted with over 700 pagodas and the not-any-less-impressive population of 1.23 million.
Dominated by the vibrant Bamar and Shan ethnic groups, Chinese immigrants and the largest community of monks in the country, the cultural diversity here makes for very interesting observations.
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Since the city is not very big, it is the perfect place to spend a long weekend. Flights from Singapore depart in the morning which is why this itinerary starts in the afternoon.
Upon arrival at Mandalay International Airport, make a stop at Mahamuni Pagoda on your way to Mandalay city centre.
Mahamuni Pagoda is the country’s most sacred pilgrimage site, located in the southwest area of the city. Built in 1785 by King Bodawpaya of the Konbaung Dynasty, the 3.8-meter tall Buddha image is enshrined in a chamber inside the pagoda. Thousands of pilgrims come to visit the shrine everyday!
The unique characteristic of this pagoda is that male pilgrims pay their respect by applying gold leafs to the Buddha image inside the chamber (ladies can watch, but are not allowed to touch the Buddha). Legends have it that if you rub a body part of the statue, it will cure the corresponding part of your body.
7, Sagang, Myanmar (Burma) Open 6am-8pm daily
After finishing your hotel check-in, head to Lashio Lay for dinner!
Burmese food borrows elements from various regions, but cuisine from Shan state is especially characteristic of Mandalay, as this city has a notable population of the Shan minority. It is thus essential to introduce yourself to common Shan delicacies at Lashio Lay! Key dishes include shan tofu (chickpea-flour tofu fritters), wet tha chin (minced pork in rice) and papaya salad!
23rd St, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Open 9am-9.30pm daily
If you have a less time in Mandalay or want a different kind of itinerary, you can check this article with suggestions for two days in Mandalay.
After your breakfast, make your way to Sagaing, the former capital of Sagaing Kingdom (which ruled the Myanmar region around 1315-1365). Today, it’s an important monastic centre dotted with plenty of pagodas and monasteries along the Ayeyarwady River.
At the centre piece is Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, located at the very top of the hill and doubles up as a meditation centre for those who seek peace. You can spend some time here finding your inner soul or simply marvel at the seas of pagodas under the hill.
Another must-visit site while you are in Sagaing is U Min Thonze which comprises of 45 gilded Buddha statues, each with its own facial expression! The architecture is quite detailed and worth some time appreciating. From here, you will also be blessed with a view of the stupa-filled valley down below.
Head to Myitnge River Crossing and take a small boat to cross into Inwa. In just a few minutes, you’ll reach Inwa, a former royal capital of Burma. On the other side of the river is a horse cart waiting area, where you can choose to take a one-hour tour for just USD 8 per ride.
The ride will pass through the countryside with lush rice fields, ruins and pagodas. Some of the notable stops you’ll likely have are Daw Gyan (a pagoda ruin complex with surprisingly detailed architecture), Bagaya Kyaung (a 1934 teak monastery), Nanmyin (a 90-feet watchtower which is also a remain of Baggidaw’s Palace), Maha Aungmye Bonzan (an 1818-period brick monastery from Konbaung Dynasty).
Take a break at Ave Maria Restaurant while watching the boats sail through Myitnge River. Dishes offered are quite varied, from fried rice to steamed meat to curry-based dishes. A typical meal costs around MMK 6,000-6,500.
Inn Wa, Myanmar (Burma) Open 8.30am-6pm daily
Amarapura, which translates to “city of immortality”, is Myanmar’s former capital during the Konbaung period. There are a few monasteries which you can visit here, but the largest one which you must not miss is Maha Gandhayon Monastery, where you can find hundreds of monks and novices inside!
Head to U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak plank bridge. Its appeal lies not only in its length, but mostly because it has integrated into the heart and soul of Amarapura. Hundreds of fishermen, saffron-robed monks and residents pass through this bridge every day. A visit to the bridge is a peek into the vibrant life of the local community.
Top it off with a spectacular sunset around 5.30pm.
End the day with a dinner at Aye Myittar, which offers traditional Burmese food catering mostly to locals, which makes it an excellent introduction to the authentic cuisine in Myanmar! All you need to do is go to the food counter and point at whatever attracts your eyes. Dishes are affordable, ranging from MMK 1,000-3,7000.
81st St, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Open 9am-9.30pm daily
Spend at least 30-60 minutes here just to witness the chaotic, but charmingly colourful scene of the Burmese going about their daily lives in the street market. You will also see baskets and stacks of fruits, vegetables, fish and meats as you wander through the market.
27th St, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Open Mon-Fri 6am-5pm, closed on Sat-Sun
While it is not as well-maintained as the other Mandalay attractions, no visit to Mandalay is complete without at least a glimpse of the city’s most symbolic icon: Mya Nyan San Kyaw Palace, the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy. Entrance is at the East gate of the citadel and it costs USD 10 per person.
Open 7.30am-5pm daily
12nn: Lunch at Green Elephant Restaurant
Nice place for an al fresco lunch while surrounded by a tranquil garden setting, a good break from the chaotic streets of Mandalay. They serve a great range of Burmese as well as some Thai food.
3 Block 801, 27th Street between 64th and 65th Street Open 11am-11pm daily
The streets around the Royal Palace is littered with plenty of pagodas. You may want to pick at least one or two of them to visit while you’re here, and simply pass through the others. Here are a few recommended ones:
One of the finest traditional wooden monasteries in Myanmar, with very intricate teak carvings. Entrance fee costs USD 10 per pax and also allows you to visit Atumashi Kyaung directly opposite it.
63rd St, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Open 8am-8pm daily
A Buddhist monastery with a striking white-and-gold color. Instead of the usual monastic design, this monastery has a grandiose feel with five rectangular terraces. Entrance fee costs USD 10 per pax and also allows you to visit Shwenandaw Monastery directly opposite it.
Dubbed as “the world’s largest book” due to the fact that it is surrounded by 729 marble slabs inscribed in both sides with texts from Buddhist teachings. Entrance fee is USD 5 per person.
5, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Open 8am-5pm daily
A very impressive large golden pagoda surrounded by hundreds of white marble shrines. Inside, you will find the largest iron Buddha statue in the entire country. It offers a good view of the Mandalay Hill above it. Entrance fee is USD 5 per pax.
5, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Open 8am-8pm daily
End the day by climbing up the 760-foot hill at the top of Mandalay, which takes around 30 minutes (or longer if you’re the type who stops many times to take photos). The summit viewpoint is incredibly gorgeous during sunset and you may even find young monks converging here! Sunset is expected slightly after 5.30pm, and please note that there is a camera fee charge of MKK 1,000.
Min Min Restaurant serves a variety of traditional Burmese as well as Chinese and Thai food. The must-try delicacy here is the roasted honey duck with mushrooms.
No.194 83rd St, Between 26th & 27th St, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Open 10am-9pm daily
On your way to Mandalay International Airport, en route to Paleik Snake Temple.
Often overlooked, Paleik offers an impressive set of 300 stupas from the Konbaung period (the last dynasty which ruled Myanmar circa 1752-1885), which gives it a mini-Bagan feel.
While there are many pagodas around Myanmar, this one is undoubtedly unique. Paleik is named a Snake Pagoda because back in the 1970s, three pythons visited the pagoda and curled up next to the Buddha image. They have since never left and became a vital part of the pagoda!
Once you’re done exploring, head to the airport to check-in, grab a quick lunch and board your flight home to Singapore!
Prices listed are based on average daily rates for a Standard Room.
Hotel 8‘s rooms come equipped with flat-screen cable TV, air conditioning, mini bar, free WiFi, etc. Airport transfers, ticketing and concierge services can also be organized. Hotel 8 is certainly an option if you’re looking for a simple room for the night.
Price range: SGD$33-50
Bagan King Hotel is a boutique 3-star hotel with furnishings made from authentic, hand-crafted local products. Its strategic location, which is within walking distance to the Royal Palace and several pagodas make this charming and cozy heritage-themed hotel a value-for-money choice.
Price range: SGD$99-150
Sedona Hotel Mandalay offers beautiful views of the majestic Royal Palace and Mandalay Hill, while being surrounded by gorgeous landscaped gardens. Rooms and suites are spacious, making it the current lead for the best 5-star hotel in Mandalay.
Price range: SGD$217-310
SilkAir runs flights from Singapore to Mandalay at 11am-12.50pm every Thursday and Saturday; and returns from Mandalay to Singapore at 3.20-8.15pm every Tuesday.
The best way to get around Mandalay and other nearby villages is by renting a motorcycle (MMK 12,000-15,000 daily) or bike (MMK 1,350-2,700 daily), which you can rent from most hotels around the 25th street area.
An alternative is to hop on a motorcycle taxi, which you can easily find around major hotels. A short ride costs around MMK 1,000-1,500. For all day-hire within Mandalay, it typically costs MMK 10,000. If you would like to include Amarapura, Inwa and Sagaing on the same day, the cost may go up to around MMK 15,000.
Mandalay is 1 hour and 30 minutes behind Singapore.
Mandalay is best enjoyed during the cooler and drier months of November-February. Another interesting time to visit Mandalay is the month of April due to the Thingyan Water Festival, which makes the city especially vibrant and festive.
Avoid the June-October period, as Mandalay will experience heavy rainfall.
While Mandalay is generally a safe city, exercise common precautions as you would elsewhere in Southeast Asia and avoid going out alone after dark.
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