Where to stay in Mandalay — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Mandalay is the second-largest city and former royal capital of Myanmar, a centre of culture and Buddhism with the Mandalay Palace, Mandalay Hill, and many important temples. Around the city lie old capitals like Amarapura, Inwa and Sagaing, along with U Bein Bridge, the longest teak footbridge in the world.
Why stay in Mandalay
The Last Royal Capital
The Konbaung dynasty's Mandalay Palace within its walls and moat, grand in the heart of the city.
U Bein Teak Bridge
A teak footbridge over 1.2 km long across Taungthaman Lake, a legendary sunset-viewing spot.
Mahamuni Buddha
A sacred Buddha image gilded so thickly its form has changed, with a face-washing ceremony before dawn each day.
Old Capitals All Around
Amarapura, Inwa (Ava) and Sagaing, all visitable in a day and full of old temples and pagodas.
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Local dishes to try in Mandalay
- 1🍜
Shan Noodles
Rice noodles topped with a pork or chicken sauce, Shan-style, a popular Mandalay dish.
📍 Citywide - 2🍲
Mohinga
Rice noodles in a spiced fish broth, a classic breakfast found at stalls all over the city.
📍 Morning markets - 3🥘
Shan Food
Shan tofu, tomato rice and bean dip, mellow flavours from the highlands.
📍 Local eateries - 4🫓
Indian-Muslim Food
Biryani, roti and Indian-style curries, reflecting the city's multi-ethnic communities.
📍 City Centre
- 1🪙
Mahamuni Buddha Temple
Enshrines the thickly gilded Mahamuni Buddha, with a 4 a.m. face-washing ceremony every day.
📍 South of the City - 2📿
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The 'world's largest book' — the Buddhist canon inscribed on 729 marble slabs within white shrines.
📍 Foot of Mandalay Hill - 3⛰️
Mandalay Hill
A sacred hill topped with a temple, a sunset viewpoint over the city and the Irrawaddy River.
📍 North of the City - 4🌉
U Bein Bridge
The longest and oldest teak footbridge in the world, its silhouette gorgeous at sunset.
📍 Amarapura - 5🟫
Shwenandaw Monastery
A teak monastery carved all over, once part of the palace, beautiful with its fretwork.
📍 City Centre - 6🏯
Inwa (Ava)
An old capital on a river island, toured by horse cart past brick temples and a leaning tower.
📍 South of the City
Things to do in Mandalay
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Mandalay — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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🚆 Getting around Mandalay
Grab / Taxi
Grab works in town, convenient and clearly priced, ideal for short trips.
Motorbike Taxi
Mandalay allows motorbikes; there are taxi and rental services all over the city.
Private Car for the Old Capitals
Hiring a car for a full day is the easiest way to tour Amarapura, Inwa and Sagaing.
Mandalay Airport (MDL)
About 35–45 km south of the city, serving domestic flights and some international routes.
Where to go next near Mandalay
YangonMyanmar's largest city, home to the golden Shwedagon Pagoda and British-era colonial buildings.
See this city's guide →
BaganAn ancient plain dotted with over 2,000 pagodas and temples as far as the eye can see.
See this city's guide →
Inle LakeA freshwater highland lake in Shan State, with floating houses, vegetable gardens, and leg-rowing fishermen.
See this city's guide →
Ngapali BeachA white-sand, clear-water beach on the Bay of Bengal, the loveliest and most peaceful in Myanmar.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Mandalay
How many days do I need in Mandalay?+
2–3 days — day one for the city and Mandalay Hill, the other for the old capitals Amarapura, Inwa and Sagaing, and sunset at U Bein Bridge.
When is U Bein Bridge most beautiful?+
Sunset is the most beautiful, watching the bridge's silhouette against the orange sky from a boat on the lake; pre-dawn is quieter with fewer people.
Where can I travel onward from Mandalay?+
It's a launching point for Bagan (by road, boat or plane), the hill town of Pyin Oo Lwin, and Irrawaddy cruises — a great hub for an upper-Myanmar trip.
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