Location: Mandalay
Top Things to do in Mandalay
- 1. Golden Palace Monastery (Shwenandaw Kyaung)
- 2. Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book
- 3. Maha Myat Muni Pagoda- Mahamuni Buddha Temple
- 4. Mahamuni Pagoda
- 5. Sanda Muni Paya
- 6. Bargaya Monastery
- 7. Mintha Theater
- 8. Mandalay Marionettes Theater
- 9. Mandalay Hill
- 10. Maha Aung Mye Bon Zan Monastery
Top 10 Things to do in Mandalay, Myanmar
Mandalay (/ˌmændəˈleɪ/ or /ˈmændəleɪ/; Burmese: မန္တလေး; MLCTS: manta.le: [màɴdəlé]) is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Myanmar (Burma). Located 716 km (445 mi) north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of 1,225,553 (2014 census).
Restaurants in Mandalay
1. Golden Palace Monastery (Shwenandaw Kyaung)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By 918teresah - Manchester, United Kingdom
A lovely wooden structure with a interesting history about the king and family.No gold gilding remains,(possible a tiny carving) Some have been restored and a Iot of the carvings are really good, There was a team of restorers working while we were there led by an Italian lady, She explained some of the process and it was very interesting to see the process
2. Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The Kuthodaw Paya houses "the world's largest book", 729 marble slabs of Buddhist scriptures.
Reviewed By dw234503 - Sydney, Australia
There are many marble slabs.Each slab has a small temple. Those temples are very even and beautiful.I got peace of mind when I arrived at kuthodaw pagoda and I like trees was grown in compound.I am very interested to hear that pagoda's history. That is one of the most famous pagodas in Mandalay.
3. Maha Myat Muni Pagoda- Mahamuni Buddha Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia
Mahamuni Buddha Temple, the Great Buddhist Temple, is a major pilgrimage site. According to legend, in the lifetime of the Buddha, there were five true Buddhas, two in India, two in the Kingdom of Heaven, and the remaining one is now in the Mahamuni Temple in Manderle. The Buddha is now 16 cm thick in gold dust. Only male adherents are allowed into the temple. Female worshippers can only kneel outside the temple to pray for blessings, and many nuns dressed in pink clothes can only kneel outside to worship and beg.
Does Buddha truly believe that male worshippers should be allowed closer than female worshippers? I guess somewhat similar to the Roman Catholic church, where only males can become priests and hear confessions. Well, the times are changing. Is it maybe that Buddha recognizes that men are greater sinners, and thus draws them closer to hear their prayers?
4. Mahamuni Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By 918teresah - Manchester, United Kingdom
Very elaborate setting.Only men can put the gold leaf on the Buddha and my husband was lucky enough to take part.Women have to remain below but can watch though a large screen and window.it was busy but still peaceful. There were lots of children taking part in a graduation ceremony and were very pleased we asked to take their photographs if their colorful costumes. We seed to be the only westerners there and everyone showed us where to see to absorb the atmosphere a special place. There is a camera charge and like all temples you must dress respectable and take off shoes and socks.
5. Sanda Muni Paya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By travelbugDelhi - Delhi
Slender white stupas with gold tips gleaming in the sun again laid out in neat rows like the Kuthodaw Pagoda next door makes it a very pretty & peaceful place to visit.
6. Bargaya Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By BroLucius - Winchester, England
It is a 30-minute ride in a horse-drawn carriage each way to the wooden monastery. This is very uncomfortable, particularly for the first ten minutes over rough ground. You pass through beautiful countryside, with stupors visible. The wooden monastery is beautiful. Well carved exteriors and some what dark but interesting interiors. All made from somewhat weather worn teak. On return to the horse and cart, something went wrong with the harnessing as the horse was turned and we were nearly backed into a canal. Various helpful men rushed forward to grab the carriage and right the situation. The carriages are much too small for comfort.
7. Mintha Theater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 56 reviews
THE INWA SCHOOL IS ON ACADEMIC RECESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE Myanmar SCHOOL CALENDAR. THE MINTHA THEATER WILL REOPEN WITH BOTH NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2018. Please ‘like’ us on Facebook. We also try to respond to questions in a timely manner. The Inwa School and the Mintha Theater present nightly Performances at 8:30 PM. It was established in June 2016 by a group of local Mandalay artists who were alarmed by the sudden erosion of the quality of Myanmar performance. It offers a meeting place for the master teachers of the country to pass along their skills to a select set of young people who want to learn the art form at its highest standards. We provide a two year arts-intensive program supplemented by academic and vocational skills. Students are mostly recruited from the countryside and under full scholarship room and board, with no cost to the student countryside and under full scholarship room and board, with no cost to the student.
Reviewed By aldama987 - Burgos, Spain
I love this theater!! Very authentic, plenty of enthusiasm from actors and the teacher, from everybody involved on this. I think we were the only forigners, just three, not much more people over there, anyway they did not cancel it.
You can enjoy traditional music and dancing from Myanmar. With the money of the entrance they help these children from villages.
8. Mandalay Marionettes Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By cosmopolits - Stuttgart
If you are in Mandalay the puppet theater is a must see. It gives you some insights into the local culture even though the music is sometimes quite amelodic for european ears.
Here are the facts:
- Entrance fee is quite expensive for local standards (15.000 Kyats p.P.)
- You get a reserved seat. We made the reservation through our hotel which worked fine.
- The theater is quite small there are approx. 50 wooden chairs.
- The show takes about an hour
- A band in front of the stage supports the play
- You will see different short plays
- Besides the puppet play there is traditionell dance and harp play
- Before every act you get an explanation in english (which was quite hard to understand sometimes)
- You get a complimentary bottle of water
The oldest puppeteer is way over 80 and said thank you personally to every single visitor. Quite a funny guy as well.
If you want to get a glimpse into the local culture and support the survival of this old tradition then go there.
9. Mandalay Hill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Mario_Epe - Cirebon
Climb to Mandalay hill is another story. Need really good physic. Alternative way is using a taxi to the top. I spent 3000 kyt for taxi one way. Reach the entrance, take an escalator, reach the top. Tourist must pay 1$. Breathtaking view of Mandalay landscape, Budha statue, Place to pray. Take a steps to get down is easier. Make sure to know the direction by your own since there is only few direction given or simply ask local. There are a lot of small shop in every level. Find also Budha statue, big and small in certain floor.
10. Maha Aung Mye Bon Zan Monastery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By Adrian T - Perth, Australia
Loved the horse trip out to see this Monastery and exploring inside, under and outside of this complex.
Great story about the queen building this for the monks.
Just watch out as when I exited one of the doorways to the outside I was stung by 2 wasps.
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