4 Things To Do In The Former Burmese Capital City Of Mandalay

1. Mahamuni Pagoda

One of the most revered sites in Burmese Buddhism, Mahamuni Pagoda attracts many pilgrims as well as tourists and locals. Although the name is commonly shortened to Mahamuni Pagoda, the temple’s full name is Maha Myat Muni Paya / Pagoda. It is home to a large Buddha statue, known as the Mahamuni. The shiny gold statue is inset with many gleaming jewels and gems; it is quite a spectacular sight! Woman must admire the statue from afar; only men are allowed to enter the chamber and get close to the sacred statue.

The temple has various buildings, each with ornate details and decorative features. There are many statues around the complex with some that are fairly old and some in the Khmer-style that were taken from Cambodia. The inner courtyard is a great place to linger for a while and watch monks gliding by in their claret-coloured robes. There is a bustling market area within the complex that sells an array of religious trinkets and amulets as well as flowers and other items to be left as offerings.

The entrance fee to the pagoda is 5,000 MMK (approximately 4 USD).

2. Kuthodaw Pagoda

An attractive temple complex at the bottom of Mandalay Hill, Kuthodaw is famous for being home to the biggest book in the world! Enormous marble slabs are engraved each side with the full content of Tripiṭaka, the Pali scriptures at the heart of Theravada Buddhism. The slabs can be found spread through more than 700 caves. The temple also contains numerous pristine white pagodas, topped with small golden spires, and the large golden main pagoda. The admission fee is 6,500 MMK (approximately 5 USD), unless you have already paid for an inclusive Mandalay Zone ticket.

3. Workshops

Wander the streets of central Mandalay, especially close to major temples and religious sites, and you will notice people hard at work marking an assortment of items. They are often sitting right on the pavement outside stores or perched down narrow alleyways close to shops and market stalls. Large stringed puppets, known as marionettes, are popular in this part of the country, and you may spot people crafting wooden puppets or making their detailed clothes. Skilled craftspeople produce wooden, stone, and ceramic ornaments, and you might also see people weaving textiles.

4. Mandalay Hill

The slopes of Mandalay Hill are dotted with temples, pagodas, and monasteries, and it is a very important place for local Buddhists. Visitors can climb Mandalay Hill, calling into several of the lovely buildings on the way to the top. The peak is home to Sutaungpyei Pagoda and you can enjoy incredible views over the city and hills.

It is also possible to access the summit by road and escalator, although you would miss many of the beautiful attractions that sit close to the covered walkway.

The entrance to the hill’s main staircases (at the southern side) is marked with a silver pagoda and flanked by two large stone lions. Rather fearsome looking, these statues are known as chinthes.

Whilst it is free to climb Mandalay Hill, you may need to pay to go inside some of the temples unless you have a Mandalay Zone ticket. There is also a fee of 1,000 MMK (approximately 0.80 USD) if you want to use a camera at the top.

The Mandalay Zone ticket costs 10,000 MMK (approximately 10 USD). It includes admission to several city attractions, including the Royal Palace, Sandamuni Pagoda, Maha Atulawaiyan Monastery, Shwenandaw Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda, and Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda. The ticket is valid for five days.