Five Must-See Places in Mandalay

Before you go: since the 2021 military coup, parts of Myanmar have seen armed conflict, and the March 2025 earthquake centred near Mandalay and Sagaing damaged many temples and historic sites. Check your government’s latest travel advisory, and confirm current access to the places in this article with a local guide before you travel.

Five beautiful places to visit in Mandalay

Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar and is located on the East bank of the Irrawaddy River. Mandalay is known as the cultural capital of Myanmar, as the last royal capital of the Konbaung Dynasty. Mandalay has many historic sites and many beautiful natural places to visit. 

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1. Mahamuni Buddha Image

The Mahamuni Buddha image is one of the most revered Buddha images in Myanmar and is located in the southwest of Mandalay. The pagoda was built in 1785 by King Bodawpaya. According to ancient tradition, that only five likenesses of the Buddha were made during his lifetime; two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Mahamuni Buddha Image in Mandalay, Myanmar. That is why this is a must-see place in Mandalay. Parts of the temple complex were reported damaged in the March 2025 earthquake.

2. Kuthodaw Pagoda

Kuthodaw Pagoda is known as the world’s largest book. It has 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Kuthodaw is located at the foot of Mandalay Hill, at the north side of Mandalay. The large ground offers a good view upwards of Mandalay Hill with its many temples and Pagodas. Its inscribed stone slabs are listed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

3. Shwenandaw Monastery

Shwenandaw Monastery is a historic Buddhist monastery located near the Mandalay Hill and was built in 1878. It is one of the finest examples of the traditional 19th-century wooden monastery. Its carved teak panels are a showcase of traditional Myanmar craftsmanship, so you should not miss the chance to visit if you’re ever in  Mandalay.

4. Mandalay Palace

Mandalay Palace is also a must-visit in Mandalay. It was the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy, originally built between 1857 and 1859; most of it was destroyed in World War II and the palace buildings you see today are a reconstruction. The palace itself is at the center of the citadel and faces East. Here you can learn a lot about royal Myanmar traditions; for example, the number of tiers on a roof showed the rank of the person who used the building. There is a saying that if you didn’t visit Mandalay Palace, you didn’t go to Mandalay. Note that the palace walls and some buildings were damaged in the March 2025 earthquake, so check with a local guide whether it is open.

5. U Bein Bridge

U Bein Bridge is in Amarapura, near Mandalay. About 1.2 kilometers long across Taungthaman Lake, it is one of the longest teak bridges in the world. U Bein Bridge is one of the most visited sites for tourists. It is a lovely place for sunset and for photos of the lake, and you can take a boat out on the lake to see the bridge from the water.

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Cover photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons