MM
Mandalay
Myanmar’s last royal capital: palace walls, pagodas and the U Bein teak bridge
Myanmar’s last royal capital: palace walls, pagodas and the U Bein teak bridge
⚠️ Travel advisory: most governments advise against travel
The US advises against all travel to Myanmar, and other governments advise against travel to much of the country, because of armed conflict following the 2021 coup, land mines and arbitrary detention. Check current advice before any visit.
Latest official advice: UK FCDO · US State Department · Reviewed September 2026
The royal palace stands at the centre of a walled square, about 2km on each side, surrounded by a wide moat. The original teak palace was destroyed in the Second World War and later rebuilt. Parts of the complex, including gates, were damaged in the 2025 earthquake.
Check locally which gates and areas are open.
Photo: Philip Nalangan, CC BY 4.0
Covered stairways lined with shrines climb the hill north-east of the palace to the Sutaungpyai temple at the top, with wide views over the city and the Irrawaddy plain, especially at sunset.
Remove shoes and socks on the stairways; the climb takes about an hour on foot.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
At the foot of Mandalay Hill, rows of white shrines house 729 marble slabs inscribed with the entire Buddhist Tipitaka, often called the world’s largest book. It was created under King Mindon.
Combine with the nearby Shwenandaw teak monastery.
Photo: Jacklee, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mandalay’s holiest site houses a revered seated Buddha image covered in gold leaf applied by male devotees. Early each morning monks wash the face of the image in a ceremony that draws worshippers. The temple was damaged in the 2025 earthquake.
The face-washing ceremony starts around 4:30am.
Photo: Damien HR, CC BY-SA 2.0
South of the city in the former royal capital of Amarapura, this teak footbridge stretches about 1.2km across Taungthaman Lake on more than 1,000 posts. Built around 1850 with timber from the old palace at Inwa, it is often called the oldest and longest teak bridge in the world.
Sunset is the classic time, but it is also busiest.
Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try mohinga (fish noodle soup), Mandalay mont di (rice noodles), Shan noodles, curries with many side dishes, and tea leaf salad (lahpet thoke). Teashops serve sweet milky tea and snacks from early morning.
Mandalay also has many Chinese restaurants, reflecting its large Chinese community.
Mandalay International Airport is south of the city, with domestic and some regional flights. Long-distance buses and trains connect Mandalay with Yangon and other cities, but routes, schedules and safety conditions change; check current advice before travelling.
In the city, taxis, ride-hailing apps where available and hired drivers are the easiest way to get around; distances between sights are large.
Myanmar uses the kyat (MMK). Exchange rates and cash availability can be unpredictable; bring clean US dollar notes as backup.
Card payments are limited.
A driver makes Amarapura and other sites easier.
Check that hotels are open and undamaged before booking.
Two days covers the main sights, where open.
Early visit to Mahamuni, then the palace, Shwenandaw Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda, and climb Mandalay Hill for sunset.
Dress modestly and carry socks for hot temple floors.
Visit monasteries and workshops in Amarapura and walk U Bein Bridge at sunset.
Hire a driver for the day.
Many governments advise against travel to parts of Myanmar; check before booking and ensure your insurance covers you.
Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites, and remove shoes and socks.
Bring crisp US dollars as backup; card acceptance is limited.
Some historic sites were damaged in 2025 and may be closed.
Quick answers for planning time in Mandalay.
Check your government’s latest advice before travelling. The UK, for example, advises against all but essential travel to the Mandalay Region and against all travel to areas north of the city.
Yes. The magnitude 7.7 earthquake on 28 March 2025 caused many deaths and damaged historic sites including parts of the palace and the Mahamuni temple.
The 729 marble slabs of the Kuthodaw Pagoda, inscribed with the Buddhist scriptures, are often called the world’s largest book.
About 1.2km, across Taungthaman Lake in Amarapura.
November to February is dry and coolest; March to May is very hot.
Planning a wider trip? Our Myanmar travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.