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At the first sight, you might think that Mandalay is all about a haphazard construction boom not for aesthetics, a really smoggy city suffering from high air pollution due to an incredibly large number of motorbikes and cars clogging the roads.
In fact, with the Ayeyarwaddy River on one side and the steep hills of the Shan Plateau rising to the east, Mandalay, the very name evokes the splendors of the old Burma, has much more to offer.
A friendly tea shop giving you an amazing occasion to mingle with the exceptionally lovely and hospitable locals to visit; many monasteries, Indian temples, mosques, colorful markets, gold workshops and a bustling, working riverside to discover, Mandalay has many things to be called as the cultural capital city.
Some places to visit in Mandalay are Inwa ancient city, which was previously known as Myanmar’s most famous old capital.
Mandalay Palace in the middle of the moat in the heart of Mandalay, which is this city’s primary symbol of Mandalay, Mahamuni Paya, where you can attend the amazing daily ceremony of washing the Buddha's face at around 04:30 AM - 05:00 AM together with hundreds of people.
The Mingun Pahtodawgyi, 11 kilometers up the Ayeyarwady River, which is well known for the cracks running through it caused by an earthquake in 1839; Shwenandaw Monastery - a gorgeous wooden monastery carved from teak wood; the Mingun Bell - the world’s largest ringing bell weighing 90 tons and being 13 feet tall.
Hsinbyume Pagoda - a stunning white temple within walking distance to Mingun Pahtodawgyi; the Umin Thonse - the 30 Caves Pagoda named after the 30 cave entrances to enter the pagoda on Sagaing Hills which offers a splendid view looking out over to Mandalay town.
Inside the pagoda, you can find 45 Buddha images in a crescent-shaped colonnade; Dee Doke Waterfall - small layered waterfalls, about 60 km outside Mandalay – an ideal stop for a full day tour, especially for those who have visited enough temples and pagodas.
Unlike the other regions in Myanmar, where the cuisine is largely influenced by Burmese, Mandalay’s cuisine is largely inspired from the Shan States (usually including fermented pastes, vegetables, and meats).
No matter where you go for meal, Muslim Chinese noodles – a dish of flat thin noodles mixed with an array of spices, chili, and chicken; Shan noodles; Kyae Oh (pork noodles); Htou moun(to-moh), a traditional Burmese dessert only available in Mandalay are what you should not miss to try.
With pleasant temperatures, January, February, March – the dry period and November, December are thought to be the best months for perfect weather in Mandalay while July – the rainiest month in a year is the time to avoid.
If you want to enjoy the warm weather, March, April, and May are not a bad idea.
