Mandalay

The second largest city of Myanmar is for many westerners the only connection to Burma of colonial times. As the last royal capital of Myanmar, Mandalay, the key city of the upper Myanmar, is the place that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his famous poem, "the road to Mandalay".

Mandalay offers many architectural jewels as reminder of its past glory. Combining both royal heritage and spiritual centre, the city is a wondrous collection of stunning architecture. The statue of the Buddha is a well-worn pilgrimage for the spiritual while the multicoloured markets are fundamental for the hill people and farmers who come to trade.

Language: Burmese

Currency: Kyat

Climate: A tropical climate with a cool, dry winter from November to February. Summer is hot and humid between March and May. The best time to visit Mandalay is winter.

Culture: Mandalay is a centre of art and craft, and the most Burmese of all the places in Myanmar. Burmese winter is the time when major festivals are celebrated and gives you a chance to explore the culture much closely.

Places to visit : Mandalay Hill, Maha Muni Pagoda, The Mandalay Royal, The Atumashi Kayung.