Destination · Myanmar
It is Myanmar's second largest city, with a population of 700,000, and represents Myanmar's cultural heart thanks to refined arts, traditional dances, music and entertainment. Royal capital of Myanmar's last monarchy, Mandalay is also known for its fine gold craftsmanship, wood and marble carving, silk loom weaving and the ancient art of tapestries.
Besides craft workshops, worth visiting are Zeycho Market, the Shwenandaw Royal Palace Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Mandalay Hill. Around Mandalay lie several ancient capitals such as Amarapura, Sagaing, Ava and Mingun, cities where rulers of the Kongboung dynasty established their capital over the centuries.
Its international airport is one of Myanmar's gateways. Air Mandalay operates direct flights from Chiang Mai. Mandalay is reachable in just over an hour's flight from Yangon. By land, express buses take about 14 hours, the same time as trains.
Near Mandalay you can also visit the following interesting places