Ancient name by Ratanapunja, the royal capital of the last monarchy of Myanmar. It enjoys the splendor of the golden age and still has great importance as a cultural center. The city earned its name after the 236-meter high Mandalay hill. The palace was constructed in 1857 and completed in 1861, in Myanmar traditional architectural styled. The majority of monuments including the palace, palace walls, pagodas and monasteries were built soon after. The city was completely damaged in the fierce fighting of World War II, including the royal palace, which has been reconstructed. Hence the pride and glory of Mandalay has been partially restored. There are many interesting edifices of cultural and religious importance and Buddhist monasteries with beautiful woodcarvings and masterpieces of Myanmar Masonry. Mandalay is best known not only for its rich traditional, cultural and spiritual splendor but also exquisite handicraft such as hand-woven embroidery in silk and cotton, the incredible process of making gold leaves, wood and stone carving and bronze casting etc. The river jetty at Mandalay is a beehive of activity with small boats going up and down the river, bamboo rafts and cargo boats with huge logs from the teak forests upriver. The water buffaloes are the beasts of burden hauling the logs from the river up to the lumber storage areas along the riverbank. Mandalay is now Myanmar's second largest city, with a population of over two million.

There are several ancient capitals around Mandalay such as Amapura, Sagaing, Ava, Mingun where Kongboung dynasty kings used to rule respectively. Located 650 km north of Yangon, the second largest city of Myanmar can be reached by air, rail, road or river; Flying is the best way to travel. Travel by train or car takes about 15 hours. Rudyard Kipling's "The Road to Mandalay," made the name of the last capital of Myanmar kings familiar even to those who had never heard of Myanmar or Burma. Founded by King Mindon, the penultimate Myanmar King, in 1857, his Golden City was completed in 1859, and he moved from Amarapura to the new capital in 1861. His son and successor King Thibaw lost Mandalay to the British who took it as well as the all of Myanmar after the Third Anglo-Myanmar War in 1885-1886.

ARTS AND CRAFTS
For lovers of arts and crafts, Mandalay represents the largest repository of Myanmar arts and crafts. It is here that visitors can observe skilled craftsmen making beautiful articles of tapestry, ivory, wood, marble and stone carving and engravings, silverware and bronze statues according to the time-honored traditions of their forefathers. Besides those, the other arts and crafts workshops of silk-weaving and gold-leaf making are also places worthy of visiting.

AMARAPURA
Half an hour drive (11 km) from Mandalay is AMARAPURA with its beautiful temples and monasteries, once a royal center also. Places of interest include the Patodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge (1203 meters long), silk and cotton weaving workshops and Maha Gandayon Monastery.

INNWA ( AVA )
Ava lies 20 km south west of Mandalay. Founded by the Shan King Thadominbya in 1364, it remained the royal capital for almost 5 centuries. Visitors cross the river on a ferry and ride around the sites of Ava in a pony cart. Highlights include the Nanmyin watchtower, Bagaya Monastery, Maha Aungmye Bonzan and Htilaingshin Paya.

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LASHIO
Capital of the northern Shan State, major settlement is Shan and Chinese being bordering with Yunan province of China. The famous Burma Road built by the British before the War, interests with Ledo Road leading into the Yunnan province.The highlight about this trip is to enjoy the most spectaculars scenic views of the Shan plateau traveling one way by winding road with elbow crossing hilly drive and the other way by train with twisting and turning hilly trek. Crossing over historic Gokehtaik viaduct will be an unforgettable experience. There is a hot spa near Lashio which is always crowded with local pilgrimages to enjoy the nature warmed both of they believe bathing here will purify body and mind.

MINGUN
It is about 6 miles up river from Mandalay on the other side of the Ayeyarwaddy River. A pleasant 45 minutes boat trip along the river. The world's largest Mingun Pagoda was built during the reign of King Bodawpaya but left the construction unfinished when he died in 1819. There is also a gigantic Mingun Bell weighing 87 tons, claimed to be the world's largest hung and ringing uncracked bell. The Mingun Sanitarium, a nursing home for old age is interesting to visit.

MOGOK
Legend brought this faith to the world of fable valley in the north where beautiful rubies and sapphires lay scattered. Treacherous swamps and poisonous snakes protected the uninhabited valley. One day a huge eagle spotted an enormous morsel of bloody-red meat, swooped down on his prey. Time and again being unable to make a dint eventually realized that this was not the meat that he thought but a precious stone. This probably was the first ruby of the world. Mogok-since than and now is the source of the world's most fabulous rubies and Sapphires.

MONYWA
Monywa is 72 miles West of Mandalay, on the left bank of Chindwin River (The Second Important River) perhaps it is the Second Large City next to Mandalay in upper Myanmar. It is the famous for a pagoda names Mohnyin Thanboddhay, that take its name from a total of 573,888 Buddha images, which situated 6 miles away before Monywa. About 19 KM from Monywa, also on the right Bank of the river is the Po Win Daung Hill where one will find numerous sand stone cave temples and contain early examples of mural painting in those caves.

MUSE
A small town on the banks of the Shweli River, is the main border gateway between Myanmar and Yunnan Province (China). Located 190 km from Lashio, it is a bustling trading center. Namkham and Kyukoke are nearby border towns.PYIN U LWIN ( MAYMYO )
Maymyo is a cool hill station. Over 1,000 meter above sea level, founded during colonial times and a worthwhile side trip from Mandalay. Here visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery, a cool climate and nostalgic atmosphere of former days in its old buildings and botanical gardens. Pyin U Lwin is the only place in Myanmar where the classical horse drawn carriage transport remains.

PYIN U LWIN ( MAYMYO )
Maymyo is a cool hill station. Over 1,060 meter above sea level, founded during colonial times and a worthwhile side trip from Mandalay . Here visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery, a cool climate and nostalgic atmosphere of former days in its old buildings and botanical gardens. Pyin U Lwin is the only place in Myanmar where the classical horse drawn carriage transport remains.

SAGAING
Most spectacular is the sunset watched from a hilltop pagoda in SAGAING. The visit to Amarapura and Sagaing should be combined in one excursion.

THIPAW (Hsipaw)
Hsipaw is an ancient Shan town, the local capital of a Shan principality of the same name which according to its legendary history goes back to year 58 B.C. It is said to have been founded by Sao Hkun Hkam Saw, the fourth son of the Sawbwa (Saohpa) of Mong Mao named Sao Hkun Lai. The Myanmar (Burma) people pronounce the name as Thibaw and the last king of Myanmar, King Thibaw (1875-85 AD) got his name from this town. Hispaw has a large local market in the center of the town, with cinemas, small guest houses and restaurants near the bus stands. The old wooden traditional Haw, Palace of the Sawbwa is at the northern end of the town and the main pagoda, the Maha Myatmuni Phaya is right at the southern end. The roads are parallel to the Namtu or Dokhtawaddy River with its clear, cool waters against a backdrop of hill and mountains.