Mandalay

The last capital of the third Myanmar Empire, Mandalay is situated in central Myanmar 668 km due north of Yangon. It is the largest city after Yangon and is both a bustling commercial centre and a repository of ancient culture. Established in 1857 by King Mindon, the second last king of Myanmar. The city is now almost 150 years old. The city was named after the Mandalay hill nearby. One can still feel the environment how the Myanmar monarchs ruled.

Myanmar's monarchical government moved the capital from Amarapura to Mandalay in about 1861. The design of the city was a similar copy of that of Amarapura, a perfect square. The city walls were built with un-plastered bricks.

With the remains of the old Royal City and with many old monasteries, Mandalay is a showcase for Myanmar art and architecture of the 19th century. It is also noted for woodcarvings, silverware, tapestries, silk cloth, and other traditional
craft products.

Myanansankyaw Golden Palace, Mandalay Hill, Shwenandaw, and Atu-ma-shi Monasteries, Mahamuni, Kuthodaw and Kyauktawgyi Pagodas are some of the tourist attractions of Mandalay.