#1 Shwe In Bin Kyaung
Shwe In Bin Kyaung is a monastery in Mandalay but it is quite different from many of the other monasteries in the area which are usually very ornately decorated.
In contrast, Shwe In Bin Kyaung is built from teak which has been carved in intricate patterns which makes it one of the prettiest buildings of its kind in the city.
The monastery was built in 1895 and was commissioned by famous Chinese jade trades and the main building is set on large poles made from tree trunks.
On a visit here, make sure that you also check out the delightful interior balustrades as well as the roof cornices which are covered in detailed engravings.
#2 Explore Mandalay Palace
Mandalay Palace is actually not the original building but a reconstruction that was built in the 1990s.
It is also not one building, but actually a series of 40 different houses that were built from wood to closely resemble the originals which would have been built in the 1850s and were sadly razed to the ground by a fire.
One of the highlights of a trip here is the wooden watchtower which is a great place to come if you want to take in the scenic views all over Mandalay.
Also make sure to check out the ornate throne room which features a gilt pyramid and you can see other historical sights like a four poster bed that would have belonged to the king.
#3 Climb up Yankin Hill
Looking out over Mandalay is Yankin Hill which is topped by a pretty temple.
The main reason to climb the hill is for the chance to enjoy the sweeping vistas over the rice fields for which Mandalay is famous which also stretch to the foothills of Shan province.
It takes around 10 minutes to climb to the top of the hill using a steep set of stairs and don’t be surprised if you come across the resident deer here as Buddhists believe that they will get good karma if they feed them.
There are a number of walkways between the temple pagodas here and you can also check out the amazing fish statues which are covered in gold leaf.
#4 Mahamuni Paya
Mahamuni Paya is known for its seated Buddha statue which measures 13 feet tall.
As you would expect, this is also a famous place of pilgrimage in Mandalay and the Buddha is said to date back some 2,000 years.
When male devotees come here they are supped to apply gold leaf to the statue, and you can see the layers which are gently peeling off, and this also means that there is now a layer of gold leaf that is said to be 6 inches thick in places.
If you make it here at 4 o’clock in the morning then you can watch the face of the Buddha statue being polished.
#5 Walk across U Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is probably the most iconic site in all of Myanmar and it stretches from Mandalay to Amarapura.
The bridge is made of wood and is famous for being the longest teak bridge in the world and is reinforced in places so that it doesn’t collapse.
Even with this in mind, it is still rather rickety and a trip across is not for the faint of heart.
If you don’t fancy walking across, then you can also rent a fishing boat here and drive underneath the bridge to see it from a completely different angle.
#5 Bagan
Located in Central Myanmar, only 4 hours away from Mandalay, Bagan is one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Visit this amazing historical town hosting more than 2,200 temples big and small. Set amongst thick greenery on the Ayeyarwady river basin with misty mountains at a distance, Bagan will surely enchant you with its mystical appearance. The temples rise above the canopy of trees, presenting a picture-perfect scenery to visitors.
Bagan was the first capital of the Pagan Kingdom between the 9th to 13th centuries. More than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed during the most flourishing days of the Kingdom between the 11th to 13th centuries. Today, around 2,200 temples and pagodas still survive and are carefully looked after by the government.