Mandalay Travel Guide, Myanmar

Former capital and current religious and economic centre of Myanmar, Mandalay is one of the most interesting cities in all of Southeast Asia. Mandalay’s attractiveness lies in its incredible cultural diversity coupled with a strong sense of national identity. The city is emblematic for Myanmar from many points of view. It is home to the Burmese Royal palace, a few holy pilgrimage places and several interesting pieces of architecture, and more than half of Myanmar’s monks and millionaires. For a first time visitor in Myanmar, Mandalay is the perfect place to get a taste of the genuine Burmese culture and way of life. If you are looking for a holiday spot that will prove to be rewarding both culturally and in terms of traditional entertainment, you will not be disappointed in Mandalay.

Mandalay Travel Guide - Transport

If Mandalay evokes the past splendors of Burma, then Mandalay International Airport is the epitome of modern technology. The airport has flights to all of Myanmar’s domestic airports, for example Yangon and Rangoon. There are several international flights available, although most of them to locations in Southeast Asia, like Kunming, China and Chiang Mai, Thailand. From Yangon, Myanmar’s capital, there are several trains daily to Mandalay. The journey is by no means short, about fifteen hours, but luckily, the Burmese train services are quite good. The train carriages are comfortable and thanks to the picturesque views afforded by the train ride, the journey is more than bearable.

As a general rule, you can get to Mandalay by bus or train from virtually any decent sized location in Myanmar. In Mandarlay hill, where most of the city’s sights are gathered, is recommended to be visited on foot. Traffic can be quite heavy in the city, so sometimes it’s better to just rent a bicycle and navigate through the throng of cars.

Mandalay Travel Guide - Accommodation

Mandalay has suitable accommodation for every kind of budget. There are countless guesthouses in the city that cater mostly for backpackers. Peacock Lodge is a friendly family run hostel whose only fault is that it is a bit far off from the city center. However, the hostel runs a bike rental facility. Sedona Mandalay is a mid-range hotel facing the Royal Palace. In addition to the fabulous view, the hotel also offers facilities such as swimming pool, fitness centre and even babysitting facilities. If you are looking for a bit of luxury, this Mandalay Travel Guide recommends Hotel by the Red Canal, a top end establishment located on a quiet street, whose intimate and comfortable atmosphere make it worth the high price they charge for a room.