Things to Do in Mandalay

Do-It-Yourself Bicycle Tour of Mandalay

A whole day tour to Maha Muni, Innwa and U Beign Bridge. Sagaing Hill can be included as well. You can visit U Bein Bridge twice: Once during the day and once at sunset. Start early at the Clock Tower in Mandalay (26th Street, 84th Street) and cycle south 84th Street till two streets after the 42th street. The road will then split into 2, go left. After the next bend you will see the entrance to Maha Muni Image. Lock your bicycle and take your time to explore the temple and the gardens behind. :Go back to where the 84th Street splits into two and this time go right. Continue further south. Parallel to your street runs another, getting really close to yours after about 3 km, only to then turn right when yours goes gradually left (there is a gas station, 100 m to your left is a white pagoda). From there continue on the main road. After 400 m the road bends right, then continues straight for about 1km and then bends left. You can stop there to visit the Burkayar Monastery. Afterwards, continue straight and leave the main road. After 500 m the railway tracks cross the street. Continue straight through the neighbourhoods for 500 m more until you reach the Taungthaman Lake. Follow the road counter-clockwise along the lake and after 2 km you will reach the parking area of U Bein Bridge. You might have to pay a small parking fee (MMK 100-200). Cross the Bridge and settle in a teahouse on the other side. :Get back on the bicycle and go west until you hit the main road (Sagaing-Mandalay Expy) and the tracks. From there you can explore the neighbourhoods and stop by any building where you hear the dominant rattling noise of the looms. There are factory-like businesses and private homes with only one or two machines. There are plenty. And you will be warmly welcomed to any of them to have a look. :To go to Innwa follow the main road (Saging-Mandalay Expy) further south for 4..5 km, always straight until you reach a roundabout. Go straight for Innwa (or turn right and cross the bridge to Sagaing). After another kilometre you will reach a crossing. The main road bends right a little and crosses the river to Sagaing, a smaller road bends sharply left to somewhere else. And straight continues a small street of rather poor condition. Take this small street and follow it for another kilometre until you reach the river. You can only cross it by ferry (1min). It's MMK 1,000 per person and 200 extra for the bicycle return ticket. :Once you leave the ferry you will want to continue as soon as possible as the horse cart tour guys try to win you for a ride. Follow the horse tracks. :Mahar Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery: From the jetty follow the road, go left, then right at the T-crossing. When the road turns left follow the small trail straight instead (no horse cart can pass), cross the tiny bridge. And after 50 m you reach the monastery (zone ticket). Right hand side from the main entrance there is a stupa, walled with two doors each having stairs. Check if the doors are open and sneak in for free. The stupa is connected to the monastery. :Take 2-3h to explore Innwa fully. Then go back the same way to see the sunset at U Bein Bridge. There are street lamps all the way to Mandalay. There are no hills, just flat land. :Mandalay Clock Tower - Maha Mudi Image: 4 km, 20min :Maha Muni Image - U Bein Bridge: 8 km, 40min :U Bein Bridge - Innwa: 8 km, 40min :In case you got lost just ask people for the way. As there is next to nobody cycling in that area, not even locals, they are very curious and will gladly help you. Have your destinations written in Myanma as it's easier for people to understand. Try to get a bicycle with lights. Alternatively you can rent a motorcycle for MMK 10,000. But only one can fit at a time on the ferry.

1,500 kyat for bicycle, 1,200 ferry

Mandalay Hill

One of the favourite sunset spots, and a good quarter-day activity. The climb is enjoyable, providing scenic views of several other attractions and Mandalay city. From the base of Mandalay Hill you can either climb the stairs or take a pick-up to Sutaungpyei Pagoda at the top, but the walk is probably worth it in order to catch the scenic views along the way. The climb takes about 30-45 min and requires moderate fitness, but is not overly demanding and is in the shade. Don't forget to catch the views of Kuthodaw and Sandamuni paya, and the royal palace from afar. Plenty of stray dogs, shops and other interesting stops (Buddhas, pagodas, viewpoints) line the path, such as the Gothama Buddha shrine. The two main south entrances are guarded by either Nats (spirit figures) or Chinthes (great mythical lions), but there are several other entrances. Along the climb from the Southern stairs near the place where these pathways merge, you come across a large statue of Buddha and his kneeling disciple Ananda, who climbed this very hill two centuries before Mingdon conquered it. Buddha is seen ominously pointing towards Mandalay, indicating that after two centuries, the capital of this region would shift to Mandalay. It is this prophecy that Mingdon fulfilled. Further up, you come across a shrine showing the various stages of a man's life - birth, youth, monk, old age and death. Interestingly, there are similarities between the birth and death stage indicating the cyclical nature of life believed by Buddhism. You can see same set of figures as an image in Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan. At the top, you can catch the shrine to the ogress Sandamukhi on the penultimate storey. Sandamukhi is depicted as offering her cut breasts to Buddha in a scary gesture. It is said the ogress took rebirth as King Mingdon. In order to enter the topmost storey and see the pagoda, you must pay an additional 1000K, which you can avoid if you choose to watch the sunset from the Ogress storey. However, the open four-directional view from the top storey may be worth it, apart from the access to the washrooms in this area. Footwear is prohibited at the pagoda, which offers nice views of Mandalay and the surrounding plains. At sunset, Sutaungpyei Pagoda crowds with tourists, and many monks and other locals climb the stairs with the hope of talking to foreigners and practicing their English. Shared pick-up trucks to the base of Mandalay Hill run along 83rd St, one block from the Clock Tower, and leave every 20 minutes (500-1000K). Private pick-ups are also available (5000K). Motorbike taxis from the city center to and from the base of Mandalay Hill run between 1000-2000 K. Try not to come down by an obscure entrance to a less crowded area, from where it will become very hard to catch a taxi.

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Jade Market Tour and Lunch at a Monastery

One of the most fascinating attractions in Mandalay that is less visited by tourists is the Maha Aung Myay Jade Market. Each day, thousands gather to buy, sell, grind and polish jade in the chaotic market, the largest in Southeast Asia. A local guide named Soe Paing, who has in the past worked as an apprentice at the market, offers private tours of the jade market and an insider's look at its merchants. Afterwards, join Soe for a private tour and lunch at Moe Hti Aung Si Monastery, a meditation monastery that is off the tourist trail. Soe, who teaches English to the monastery's students, has an exclusive deal with the head monk that allows his clients to interact with students, monks, and nuns, and join them for lunch. Soe also offers full day tours of Mandalay that include other major attractions, but only serves individuals and small groups (maximum five people).

40,000 kyat

Moustache Brothers

Formerly a comedy trio who have served a total of 12 years in prison for their political (anti-government) performances and jokes. Now only one of the three performs. About half is comedy and the other half is traditional dancing performed by his family. They are only allowed to perform from their home and for tourists. They perform every night. The admission fee goes towards helping political prisoners. The show lasts for about 1.5 hours and mostly features Burmese dance and some political jokes. Rickshaw drivers will try for a return fee.

20:30

10,000 kyat

Gold leaf pressing tour

You can have a free tour to see how gold is pressed into fine gold leaves, that is bought by several thousand devotees all over Myanmar and pressed into several Buddha statues like Maha Myat Muni Paya. There are atleast two places where this can be done for free in the city - King Galon and Golden Rose. The staff at both places speak English and guide you through the process, with no pressure to buy their stuff.

Free

A ''Glimpse of Mandalay Cooking'' class and day tour

A combination of cooking class and day tour and the first of its kind in Myanmar. The cooking class is located in a local village about 20 min drive from Mandalay. You can get hands on teaching while enjoying the green paddy fields. After the cooking class, they will take you a bike tour to see the daily life of the village and end the tour by seeing sunset in a historic place. All ages welcome.

between 35th & 36th St, between 57th & 58th St, Yoe Yoe Lay Guesthouse

09:00-18:00

USD30

Mandalay Marionettes Theatre

This is a hard-to-find show, even in Yangon. The show lasts 1h and has a traditional orchestra. Everything will be explained in English. Book in advance during high season.

66th St

daily at 20:30

MMK 10,000

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Waterfall Hill

Outdoor sports, especially caving and rock climbing are popular endeavours here. It is not spoiled, not crowded, and not far from the city.

Amaravati Thai Massage

Get body massage, foot massage and aroma massage. They are very professional and the ambience is nice and relaxing.

Corner of 62th and 37th

MMK 8,000 for 1h body massage

Mintha Theater

Classical court and folkloric dances that include a full 8-piece traditional orchestra.

27th St

Daily, 20:30

8,000 kyat

City Park

A leisure park with swimming pool. Women are requested to wear a t-shirt and shorts.

Myo Patt Rd

MMK 500