Mandalay is an enchanting city, replete with horse-drawn-carriage taxis and with stupas dotting the horizon.
You can climb to the top of many of the ruins, and a few of the larger structures provide amazing views of the landscape. You might feel as if you are looking at an ethereal sepia photograph, unsure where nature ends and the work of man begins.
Every year, many make the pilgrimage to see Mandalay's wonders. Here are some of our favorite sites:
Mahamuni Pagoda - Radiant Buddha Likeness
Located in the southern region of Mandalay, the Maharani Pagoda is home to one of the most popular Buddhist statues in the world. Having made a journey itself back to Mandalay in 1784, the idol is a beloved stop along the pilgrim's road.
Both tourists and devotees are drawn to this 3.82-meter statue. It is layered in gold, patiently washed by monks each morning, and one of only five sculptures made of the Buddha while he was alive. The shining likeness wears a crown of diamonds, rubies and sapphires and is a majestic sight.
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Excellent planned and executed Myanmar excursion
Asia Highlights and their local Myanmar partner "mAsia" did an excellent job in planning and execution of a one week trip to Myanmar.The various tour guides and drivers had good knowledge and good command over English. More
Gerd,
Jan 2018
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Planning our trip
We have spend that last eight months planning a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Alisa Lia was creative & patient helping us customize our tour to include the sites and adventures we were excited to see. Hard waiting for the trip to start. More
Jamie Danner,
Oct 2023
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My experience in Thai
All of this was well organized by the local office. The holiday was wonderful. Our guide, Mr. Longdy( Siem Reap)were exceptional. He shared his extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. Thank you so much .shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. More
kelli,
Jul 2023
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Seamless Planning
From the day I submitted an inquiry request, I instantly received a response from Monica asking my preferences for my trip. She has been attentive and responsive to our every needs and we very much appreciate it. Looking forward to our trip in November but many thanks to Monica for making this experience to seamless thus far. More
Sana Samhouri,
Jul 2023
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Very professional agency for a memorable trip to Asia
A special thanks to Albee who worked with us and helped to tailor the itinerary to our taste, she was amazing and always available for whatever we needed. The trip would not have been the same without her and her team. Thank you! More
Daniela,
Jul 2023
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It was our first time in Cambodia and …
It was our first time in Cambodia and we had a wonderful time. The accommodations, food, and sites were really beautiful. We ended our trip with a relaxing massage. Sam was very accommodating to our needs and knowledgeable. Thank you for the laughter and for being so kind. More
Amy Oakes Moon,
Jun 2023
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Our guide Borin - never boring!
Our guide Borin, in Cambodia, was knowledgeable, understanding and thoughtful in every aspect of the plan he put together for our trip to Siem Reap and in its execution. He can read the room, and knew exactly how to pace the tour, when to pause, when to break, and how to prepare us for the maximum benefit. He is extremely kind and caring, and it showed at every turn. He also is a dab hand with the camera, and we have a lot of great pictures to show for it. Kudos to my Asia Highlights coordinator - Cathy Chen, for picking Borin. Borin works with a driver (007) who was also very kind and caring. Whenever we returned to the car, he would have cold towel rolls and chilled water to refresh us. So amazingly considerate. It was an unforgettable experience More
David Muliyil,
Jun 2023
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Great visit!
Our guide, Anna, was fantastic! She was highly informative and a delight to spend our days with. Would request her again if we were to return! More
Alejandra M Almonte,
Jun 2023
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We've had such a great experience…
We've had such a great experience planning our honeymoon with Alisa at Asia Highlights! We gave her our dream itinerary, thinking that it might be impossible to do all the things we wanted, but Alisa made our dreams a reality! She's gone so far above and beyond to answer ALL of our questions and make little adjustments that will make a huge impact on our experience. More
Lauren,
Jun 2023
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Alisa knows how to work fast and please a customer.
Alisa is very helpful and works very fast. I am a very difficult client because Inknow what I want in therm of hotels and comfort. She had a lot of patience with me, and moved a lot the plan of the trip, always following my requests. It was a pleasure organizing my trip with her. I recommend her a lot! Thanks Alisa. Malala from Argentina. More
maria laura artola,
Jun 2023
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Trip-of-a-lifetime
In addition, I want to specifically mention the guides provided in certain locations. Rum, in Siem Reap, made the most memorable experience possible. His positivity was contagious - even when it felt like 1000 degrees and we were tired. He brought it all to life, and created a couple days of Ankor Wat, etc. that we will never forget! He heard my daughter's request for specific Cambodian food, and changed our itinerary to go to a village and eat at a locally known shop. He brought the dessert she asked about to us in the car! Overall, he and his driver "Lucky" were a reason to go to Siem Reap. In addition, the other guides (minus one which was switched out immediately) were stupendous. Mon in Bangkok was friendly and provided a great day there; Eak in Chiang Mai gave us a world-class food-tour and day touring the city and its surrounding temples with lots of laughs; Tommy in Hanoi kept us from getting killed in the traffic and gave a stupendous food and architecture/history tour - so very friendly and funny; the fishing village tour in Hoi An, as well as the side-car tour in Saigon, were both unforgettable! Thank you Sharon, and Asia Highlights. Would definitely use again for future trips! More
Teri Simpson,
Apr 2023
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Cambodia and Vietnam adventure!
Our guide in Cambodia, Meas Darapolaith (Pol), was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, friendly and so helpful. His English was excellent and he shared important insights about history and the magnificent sites we visited. We highly recommend him! More
Jennifer Roth Krieger,
Apr 2023
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My daughter and I wanted to discover SE…
My daughter and I wanted to discover SE Asia. Being the first in that region, we wanted to use a tour service company. We ended up using Asia Highlights. From the beginning we were impressed with their services. We left home with of mind because all the pre-travel arrangements were taking care and communicate to us efficiently. All our questions were answered promptly. Once in the countries, we were welcome by our excellent tour guides. Everything was taking care for us. We did not have one issue. They selected the right tours guides for us, they were highly knowledgeable and so much attentive to our needs. We had Dhat in Vietnam and Borin in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I came back home so much rested, and with plenty of wonderful pictures and memories. I will definitely use Asia Highlights again for my next trip to Asia. More
Isabelle Dessaux,
Apr 2023
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Fabulous tour and guide in Cambodia
We have been touring Cambodia, guided by Borin ( and driver 007) for the last 2 days. What a fabulous experience! Borin has been a wonderful guide, the best so far in Southeast Asia, explaining the history and culture of Cambodia through his tours of the temples in and around Angkor, as well as the Landmine museum. He has answered all our questions, made sure we were comfortable, and that we have had great food. 007 made sure we always had enough water and cool towels for our face/neck.We highly recommend Borin as a tour guide for Cambodia!! More
Monica,
Mar 2023
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Best Travel Service for Asia Travel
Alisa Liu was in charge of making the arrangements and she helped us from the start to make all of the arrangements and also helped us when we had questions and requested some adjustments. Her service is of the highest professional level. We are 100% confident that our trip will be perfect. We’re also 100% confident that, if anything comes up during our trip, that Alisa will be there to guide us through and take care of us. We won’t even consider using another agency for travel around Asia and we would like to have Alisa work for us again. More
Leo Pospichal,
Mar 2023
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Tour of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand
The tour guides and drivers were another high point. All were very good, friendly, knowledgeable and spoke English well. There were two that I want to call out for their excellence. Chan Sovannarith in Siem Reap was our guide in Cambodia. He really made the experience special. His knowledge, willingness to answer all my questions, helpfulness and general attitude made him fun to be around. In order to praise the second exceptional guide I have to explain about an unfortunate occurrence that I had. I'm normally a very active senior, but after leaving Cambodia for Laos I was suddenly struck by the most intense back pain I've ever experienced, couldn't even roll over in bed (turned out to be sciatica). The guide, Mr. Sonophet, really went the extra mile. He went with my traveling companion and bought a back brace and medications for me. When that didn't help much he took me to a clinic where I was seen by a doctor, given a shot and pain meds. He hand-made a walking stick for me that I'm still using! He made it possible for me to somewhat participate in the activities, i.e. a bed on the boat down the river. When it was time to move on to Bangkok he got me a wheelchair at the airport. I can't thank him enough for these kindnesses! This problem lasted for the remainder of the trip, through Bangkok and Phuket and these guides were also very helpful getting wheelchairs, etc. It was a terrible disappointment to have this wonderful trip disrupted, but it would have been SO much worse without the great help that I received from the guides and my poor travel companion! More
Deb M,
Mar 2023
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In good hands with Sam
Sam Ol took very good care of us - lots of information, listened to and answered all our questions, was passionate about the places we visited and about his people and country. He was kind, had a great sense of humor, and made sure we felt safe and comfortable at all times. He helped us to fall in love with Cambodia in 3 short days. More
Carol Jones,
Feb 2023
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Best tour guide in Cambodia
When we first arrived at the airport in Siem Riep it was so nice to be greeted by Mr Sam Ol. We instantly fell at home when we saw his friendly smile. We were impressed by his great English and knowledge of the temples. On the tour to the temples Sam took care of us every step of the way. He took awesome pictures of us. It felt like we were on a tour given by our brother who is also a professional photographer. Also, we appreciate his humor as well as the fact he had an answer for every question we had. I give Sam 5 stars, best tour guide ever :) More
Len S,
Feb 2023
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Mr. Sam
Mr. Sam our guide in Cambodia, he and the driver out standing service they went above and beyond touring, my wife so amazed beautiful country, we're planning back here near the futures. Thank Mr. Sam,We'll feedback the whole trip next week when we be home in US More
Pho Lover,
Feb 2023
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Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand
We are still in the middle of our trip, but we are just finishing up our time in Cambodia and our guide, Borin, has been AMAZING!!! He has truly made our time here unforgettable and I plan on referring all of my friends and family to come visit this beautiful country! Thank you, Borin, for everything you did to make our trip so fantastic! More
Danielle Blount,
Feb 2023
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Shwenandaw Monastery - Embossed Teakwood Beauty
Shwenandaw means "Golden Palace" because it was once part of the Royal Palace. No longer plated in gold, this monastery still exhibits intricately carved 19th-century architecture.
As you walk through, you will see stories told in the beautiful relief carvings. All around the walls and roofs are shapes or designs etched into the beautiful teak. The main shrine houses a gilt statue of the Buddha.
Kuthodaw Pagoda - Peruse the World's Largest Book
Built in 1857, the exterior of this temple is completely covered in gold. The real treasure, however, is in the 730 marble structures that comprise the 'book' containing the whole of the Buddhist canon.
As you meander through these rows of stupas, you will see that each tablet contains approximately 100 lines. When completed in 1868, the words on each stone were plated with gold. The gold was looted several decades later, but the tablets remained and are recognized as the world's largest book.
Mandalay Hill - Sunset Sanctuary
For a breath-taking view of the sunset, Mandalay Hill is the place to go. The climb on this pilgrim's route is an easy one and well worth it for the resulting panoramic view of the countryside. If you prefer a more leisurely time, there is an elevator to take you to the top, but you will miss some of the sights along the way.
En route you will see a giant standing-Buddha and a statue of Sanda Muhki, both of whom help depict prophecies of the holy man.
Once you reach the top of the hill, there are two temples, the Sandamuni and Sutaungpyei Pagodas. Here, at this tranquil site, pilgrims often present offerings and pray.
Mandalay Palace - A Regal Piece of History
Mandalay Palace sits nestled safely inside a walled perimeter and is surrounded by a beautiful moat. The original palace was destroyed during WWII, but this is a replica of the home of King Mindon and his family in the late 19th century.
Stroll the extensive grounds and enjoy the shady, ancient gardens, playgrounds, and swimming pools. For those interested in its military aspects, security ports for soldiers, horses, and archers can be viewed.
You will also encounter sheds for the royal animals, audience halls and a monastery. Royal clothing is on display and can even be worn for photos.
U-Bein Bridge in Amarapura - Splendor from Dawn to Dusk
For a nice change of pace, stroll across Taungthaman Lake on the longest teak bridge in the world. The water levels vary according to the season, but the lake will always give you a sense of serenity.
If you rise early, you might see local monks and villagers beginning their day with a journey to the opposite side. You can shop on the bridge for handicrafts and other souvenirs. At sunset, the lake takes on an orange hue, silhouetting both the bridge and pedestrians against a magical backdrop.
The Ancient City of Inwa - Travel to the Past on a Horse and Buggy
Go back in time on a horse-drawn carriage to this ancient city. The enchantment here is the glimpse of history you get from a city which was destroyed by invasions and earthquakes, and later rebuilt.
This is the former capital of the country, and its oldest buildings date back to the 14th century; but each renovation brought a new style of architecture. The splendor of the past can be seen in the huge fort walls, standing ever-vigilant around the old buildings.
Here you can also see the Maha Aung Mye Bonzan monastery. Unlike its counterparts, this marvel was made of brick. The entrance is guarded by stone chinthes and its ornate design makes it a must-see for any traveler.
Sagaing - Dazzling Pagodas Shining Amidst Verdant Hillsides
Sagaing is situated on lush, green hills just opposite Inwa. It boasts numerous monasteries and pagodas, ranging from gold to silver and white. Their gold spires can best be seen from Sagaing Hill.
There is an annual festival in November that draws both locals and tourists alike, and includes marionette shows and other cultural delights.
The Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, built in the 14th century, is located here as well. It once housed Buddhist relics and is rumored to grant 14 wishes.
Mingun - Immense Temple with Spectacular Views
This temple is located on the Ayeyarwady River. At nearly 150 meters, its awe-inspiring size is truly a wonder, giving it spectacular panoramic views of the countryside.
What differentiates this superstructure from others is that it was never finished. An astrologer predicted that King Bodawpaya would die upon its completion, so the project was abandoned. Had it been finished, the stupa atop the behemoth would have been the largest in the world.
Today, a model of this stupa is located nearby, and contains the Mingun Bell. Originally commissioned for the temple, it is now said to be the largest unflawed bell in the world.
Experience the Wonders of Myanmar with Asia Highlights
Let Asia Highlights take the worry out of your travel. When you choose one of our tour packages, you get an authentic experience in one of the most pristine and undiscovered countries in Asia. We will arrange all of your travel needs and can customize your trip to ensure you have the best experience possible. Begin your carefree getaway by clicking on the link below!
Visit Myanmar with Asia Highlights
We provide tailor-made tours to Myanmar. Tours typically start or end in Yangon or Mandalay and last approximately 9 days; visiting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.
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Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
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