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Mandalay
City in Mandalay Region, Myanmar

Mandalay

Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar, after Yangon.

Plan a trip to Mandalay→From Naypyitaw

It is located on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, 631 km (392 mi) north of Yangon. In 2014, the city had a population of 1,225,553.

See

Worth seeing

Mandalay has a "Mandalay Zone Fee" of 10,000 kyat that covers most of the central attractions and lasts for about a week. Buy it from the first attraction you visit. The tickets are not always checked at all attractions and you might be able to get individual cheaper tickets for some attractions.

  1. 01
    Jade Market

    An interesting look at the jade trade in Mandalay.

  2. 02
    Flower Market

    A small market with dozens of vendors selling a wide variety of flowers and greenery.

  3. 03
    Maha Myat Muni Paya

    Unlike the other main attractions which are mostly located around Mandalay hill, Myanmar's second holiest pilgrimage site is located to the south-west end of the city.

  4. 04
    Kuthodaw Paya
  5. 05
    Sandamuni Paya
  6. 06
    Shwe Kyi Myin Paya

    Built in the 1st century, by Prince Min Shin Saw.

Do

Things to do

  1. 01
    Mandalay Hill

    One of the favourite sunset spots, and a good quarter-day activity.

  2. 02
    Mandalay Marionettes Theatre

    This is a hard-to-find show, even in Yangon.

Eat

Where to eat

Mandalay is a former capital of Myanmar and a major trading centre between Myanmar and its neighbours, China, India and Bangladesh. As a result, it has a notable array of specialities from various regions in Myanmar and from other countries. Cuisine from the Shan State (usually including fermented pastes, vegetables and meats) is popular in Mandalay which has a sizable Shan minority.

  1. 01
    Myint Myint Khin

    Recognisable by the abbreviation MMK on the company logo, the most famous purveyor of Htou moun in all of Myanmar.

  2. 02
    Unique Bar and Restaurant

    This bar and restaurant is near the foot of the Mandalay hill, and provides an easily accessible lunch spot during a tour of the nearby monasteries and the hill.

  3. 03
    Mingalar-bar

    A good place to try a large variety of local Myanmarese cuisine.

  4. 04
    Super 81

    39th Street, between 81st and 82nd, Mandalay.

How locals move

Getting around Mandalay the local way

  • Get inInle Lake, Kalaw or Mid-Eastern Towns – There are buses available along this route, either a day minibus (05:00 departure, 9,000 kyat, 9 hr) or a night bus with air-con (18:00 departure).
  • Get inThe minibus in the day takes a slightly shorter route than the larger (and some say more comfortable) full-sized night bus.
  • Get inTamu – Minivans leave at around 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, for 20,300-30,000 kyat.
  • Get aroundTrishaws (cycle rickshaws) are a convenient way of getting around in Mandalay if you're able to find one.
  • Go nextShared taxis come pick you up (6,500 kyat, back seat, 7,000 kyat front, 1½ hr).
  • Go nextShared taxis leave from 27th and 79th streets (next to the Mother's World Hotel).

From Wikivoyage: Mandalay, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-06.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.