Mandalay
Sitting on the Irrawaddy River, Mandalay is the largest city in central Myanmar. It’s the former royal capital and is still the country’s Buddhist religious center. The city is known for tea production, silk weaving, jade and other gems, as well as goldware and silverware. Mandalay is a beautiful city with friendly people and stunning places that must be visited while in Myanmar!
Travel tip #1: Mandalay has much to explore, so budgeting three to five days is best to fully appreciate the city. There are also smaller towns nearby, which can be accessed during a day-trip by motorbike or tuk-tuk.
Places of Interest
Zay Cho Market: Also referred to as Zegyo Market, this busy traditional market is located in central Mandalay. Zay Cho is the oldest and most important market in the city, and you can buy nearly everything here—shoes, clothes, furniture, food, and more. It opens at 6:00 am and closes around 5:00 pm, but morning is the best time to get a feel for what goes on and beat the heat.
Jade Market: The Jade Market is in the middle of Mandalay. It serves as a meeting point for locals and international traders, and is a great place to observe craftspeople and merchants. I heard there’s a 2500MMK (~$1.60USD) entry fee which is often not collected, but you can opt to sit outside of the actual market and observe from there to avoid any possible fees. I was also told to avoid buying jade and jade items from here as a tourist because they tend to highly inflate the prices. I suggest visiting the Jade Market to observe and go to a local family-owned gem shop in the city to purchase jade.
Mandalay Hill: Mandalay Hill is in the northern part of the city and has been a Buddhist pilgrimage site for centuries. It’s known known for numerous pagodas and monasteries. There are four stairways that lead to the top of the hill from the north, south, east and west. It takes between 45 minutes to one hour to reach the summit by stairs. There’s also a roadway along the side you can take to the top.
Su Taung Pyae Pagoda: This pagoda sits at the summit of Mandalay Hill. Although not many tourists have this on their itinerary, Su Taung Pyae becomes part of their agenda simply because of its location. There are several spots to sit around the pagoda to enjoy the scenic views, sunrise, or sunset. Tourists must pay a small fee to enter the pagoda area.
Kuthodaw Pagoda: In Burmese Kuthodaw Pagoda is known as “Maha Lawka Marazein Paya”. It’s another Buddhist stupa at the foot of Mandalay Hill, but is known as being the “world’s largest book.” The central gilded pagoda is surrounded by 729 small shrines that house marble slabs with Buddhist teachings. A popular tourist destination, it’s best to arrive early to beat the heat and crowds.
Sandamuni Pagoda: Sandamani Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa near Mandalay Hill. It’s comprised of a large golden zedi, hundreds of shrines, and the largest iron Buddha image in Burma. It resembles Kuthodaw Pagoda, yet has 1,774 shrines that each contain a marble slab inscribed with Buddhist teachings.
Shwe In Bin Kyaung Monastery: This is a unique monastery that’s made of teak wood. It stands on poles, has beautiful carvings covering the walls, and is quite impressive. The monastery was built in the 1890s, being funded by two wealthy Chinese merchants. Be quiet on the monastery grounds, as it is actively used by monks.
Mahamuni Paya: Mahamuni Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple and major pilgrimage site. It’s regarded as the most important Buddhist site in the city. At the heart of the pagoda is a 3.8 meter-tall Buddha statue while the pathways, walls, and pillars leading up to the center feature intricate gold and jade designs. Tourists must pay a 5,000MMK (~$3.40USD) fee to enter.
Hsinbyume Pagoda: This iconic, beautiful white pagoda sits on the western banks of the Irrawaddy river in Mingun, about 10 kilometers away from the Mandalay city center. You will have to cross the river if you’re coming from Mandalay and can do so by boat. There is an entrance fee for tourists, which can be paid in Myanmar Kyat (MMK) or USD.
Taungthaman Lake and U Bein Bridge: Taungthaman Lake is outside of Mandalay in a smaller town called Amarapura. The famous 1.2-kilometer wooden U Bein Bridge spans across the lake. The bridge was built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and longest teak wood bridges in the world. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset for both locals and tourists.
Pyin Oo Lwin: Also referred to as Maymyo, this is a scenic town in located in the hills of the Mandalay Region. It’s more than 65 kilometers east of the Mandalay city center and was historical used as a summer retreat for British colonizers due to its elevated climate. Now, it’s a nice place to visit as a day-trip from Mandalay.
Dee Doke Waterfall: Dee Doke Waterfall (also known as Dee Dote) is a hidden gem of turquoise pools and lush vegetation in the mountains outside of Mandalay. Many people visit Dee Doke while in Mandalay, getting there by either taxi or motorbike. Read more about accessing Dee Doke here.
Travel tip #2: Most of the temples and pagodas are open during daylight hours. This means you can arrive for sunrise at many of the temples. I recommend catching the sunrise from Mandalay Hill if you’re an early bird then visiting the nearby temples before the crowds arrive.
Food
Tea shops: Myanmar’s tea shops are the spot to sip tiny, delicious cups of sweet, milky tea. This hot Burmese milk tea is called “lah patyei”. A common recipe for this tea combines black tea and condensed milk. Shwe Pyi Moe Tea Shop is a very famous breakfast stop for the locals, but get there early!
Indian/Muslim tea shops: These tea shops tend to serve South Asian-influenced cuisine alongside standard Burmese fair. Deep-fried savory snacks, such as samosas or poori, and baked breads like naan are commonly served. Indian/ Muslim desserts also tend to be served.
Fruit: Fresh fruit is fantastic throughout Southeast Asia. Mangoes, watermelon, avocados, papaya, guava, and bananas are all very popular. It is best to avoid eating the skin/ outer part of the fruit if you’re unsure about how it was washed. Mangoes are really great in Mandalay, as its one of the country’s mango-producing regions.
Bean curry: This is a simple, mild dish that’s often eaten in conjunction with other dishes. I enjoyed bean curry as a side dish and also as part of the main dish, where I dipped naan bread into it.
Veggie tray: A tray with a mix of fresh and boiled vegetables and herbs is a common side dish. The veggies and herbs are eaten with various dips, ranging from fish-flavored dips to pungent and flavorful ones.
Fried breads: Greasy and fried foods are common in Myanmar, so fried breads of all sizes and shapes are popular street foods. Many of these fried breads are served with tangy chutney, sauces, or dips to accompany them. A solid snack for vegetarians and vegans.
Rice with sesame seeds and oil: My tour guide took me to a street stall where I was served a bowl of nutty mixed rices topped with crushed sesame seeds and oil. It was very simple yet really yummy. I enjoyed this a lot and recommend trying it.
Lahpet thoke (tea leaf salad): One of Myanmar’s most popular dishes, fermented tea leaf salad is tart, tangy, and crunchy. Tea leaves are mixed with shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes, crunchy deep-fried beans, nuts, peas, oil, chili, and garlic. The tea leaves are eaten on their own, too, typically as a dessert.
Mingalabar Restaurant: This was the only restaurant I ate at in Mandalay and was highly impressed by the service, food, and ambience. Although a little more high-end than most eateries in Mandalay, Mingalabar is a great place to get a lot of authentic Burmese food. They give you various side dishes with your meal, as well as complimentary soup and tea leaf salad.
Travel tip #3: The dishes in Mandalay tend to use a good amount of sesame, seeds, nuts, and beans compared to the lower region of Myanmar. If you have nut or seed allergies this is something to be aware of, especially in Mandalay.
Transportation & Accommodation
Mandalay is fairly easy to get around. Walking can be challenging in the heat and humidity, as well as the rain if you go during rainy season. It is easiest to flag down tuk-tuks, where you tell the driver where you need to go and negotiate a price. Similarly, you can download and use the ride sharing app Grab on your phone. This will help you find a driver, track your ride, and provide a price. If you’re open to riding a motorbike, you can rent them at certain spots in the city. It is best to ask your accommodation provider where to rent a motorbike, as many have a couple they rent out.
Taxis are more commonly used to travel longer distances, such as to Pyin Oo Lwin or to and from the Mandalay Airport. A taxi from the airport to the city center typically costs about 15,000 MMK (~$10 USD) or the 30-45 minute ride.
Accommodation in Mandalay ranges from luxury hotels to guesthouses to hostels. Wherever you choose to stay in Mandalay, you must make sure it’s a verified place. Booking.com is a great website to use to search for and book accommodation in Mandalay. Through Booking, I found KAUNG Hostel (click here to view!). It was one of the cheaper options in the Mandalay city center for about $7 USD a night that provided breakfast. It was clean, spacious, and many backpackers were staying here.
Travel tip #4: Mandalay is very tourist-friendly. If you have limited time in the city and would like to see as many sites as possible while saving some time and money, I suggest hiring a personal tuk-tuk or taxi driver. The locals know the best times to visit, routes to take, and can provide tips and information. Negotiate a price beforehand and don’t be stingy!
Climate
Mandalay is warm and hot year-round with an average temperature of about 27 degrees Celsius (~80 degrees Fahrenheit). There are generally two seasons: dry and rainy. Dry season runs from November through April and is the peak travel time, while rainy season runs from May through October. Although Mandalay receives less rainfall than other regions in Myanmar, the city still receives a relatively high amount, with September receiving the most. The coolest month, January, can see temperatures as low as 14 degrees Celsius (~57 degrees Fahrenheit). In contrast, April is the hottest month with temperatures up to 38 degrees Celcius (~100 degrees Fahrenheit). The best time to visit Mandalay is between November and February, when temperatures are mild and the days sunny.
