Attraction Tours Mandalay
Travel advisory: The US government advises against all travel to Myanmar, and the UK advises against all but essential travel to Mandalay and against all travel to Sagaing and the area north of the city. Fighting, drone attacks, curfews and internet shutdowns continue, and many sites were damaged in the March 2025 earthquake. Check the US State Department and UK FCDO before making any plans.
Mandalay Attractions
Mandalay was the last royal capital of Burma. No attraction can currently be confirmed open, and the condition and access of each place below are unconfirmed since the March 2025 earthquake.
Historical and religious sites
- Mandalay Palace was home to Burmese kings. The earthquake damaged its walls and gates.
- Shwenandaw Monastery is a teak monastery known for its carvings and gilding, from the Konbaung dynasty.
- Kuthodaw Pagoda is known for 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. Surveyors reported serious structural damage.
- Mahamuni Pagoda houses a revered Buddha image covered in gold leaf by devotees over centuries. A building in the compound collapsed in the earthquake.
Beyond the temples
- U Bein Bridge is a long teak footbridge across Taungthaman Lake at Amarapura, long known for sunset views.
- Sagaing Hill is known for its monasteries and pagodas. It lies in Sagaing Region, where the UK advises against all travel.
Practical notes
- Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering sacred areas.
- Negotiate taxi fares beforehand.