Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar. It is known primarily for its Buddhism heritage. Among many temples, pagodas, and other traditional structures, the city plays host to the last royal palace of the last monarchy when Myanmar was still Burma. For that alone, people add Mandalay Fort to their itinerary to have the best experience of the country.

Another top attraction in the city is the Shwenandaw Monastery, a 19th Century structure first built as a royal apartment. Everything about the monastery is impressive; the carvings and sculptures on teak wood are exceptional. Like most destinations in Myanmar, Mandalay also boasts several pretty pagodas worth visiting. They include the KuThoDaw Pagoda and Sanda Muni Pagoda, located at the foot of the Mandalay Hill. If the pagodas are attractive enough, Mandalay Hill is drawing interest on its own, especially among pilgrims. It has been serving locals for over two centuries.

Mandalay is a fantastic side trip to add to your Myanmar itinerary. The city is a gateway for tourists who want to get to Myanmar’s best spots. Mandalay International Airport also serves direct flights to Singapore, India, China, and Thailand.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Mandalay travel essentials

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View all travel tips on: Mandalay.

1. Mandalay Hill

Location: Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

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Ancient Cities near Mandalay

2. Mingun

Location: Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

3. U-Bein Bridge & Amarapura

Location: Amarapura, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

4. Sagaing

Location: Sagaing, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

5. Inwa (Ava Old Palace)

Location: Inn Wa, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

Where to go in Mandalay city center

6. Maha Myat Muni Pagoda

Location: Mahamuni, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

7. Mandalay Palace

Location: Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

8. Kuthodaw Pagoda

Location: Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

9. Shwenandaw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery)

Location: Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

10. Sanda Muni Pagoda

Location: Mandalay Hill St, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

11. Atumashi Kyaung

Location: 62 Street, 12×14 Street, Dawna Bwar Ward, Aung Myay Tharsan Tsp, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

12. Kyauktawgyi Pagoda

Location: Mandalay Hill St, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

13. Shwe In Bin Monastery

Location: Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). Save on Google Maps.

14. Hsipaw

Location: Northern Myanmar. Save on Google Maps.

Hsipaw Travel Essentials

Where to stay

Bagan

Location: Northern Myanmar. Save on Google Maps.

Bagan Travel Essentials

Where to stay

Yangon

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Yangon Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Mandalay that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Mandalay

Mandalay tourist spots, things to do in Mandalay, where to go in Mandalay & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Where to Stay in Mandalay

Click below & search recommended Mandalay hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your min/max price, travel dates, and sort by review ratings. I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

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Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Don’t Stop Here

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