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We are so excited to share this guest post from Oliver Hyde, a traveler/business consultant who has made Mandalay, Myanmar his home away from home in Asia. We love getting recommendations about a place from people who know it well. Read on for Oliver’s insider tips for getting off the beaten path in Mandalay.
Getting off the beaten path in Mandalay, Myanmar.
During my explorations of South and East Asia, I spent three weeks in Myanmar and instantly fell in love with this incredible country. Despite its turbulent past and slow economic development, the country fascinated me in many ways: from impressive biodiversity and vibrant culture to delicious cuisine, warm climate and pristine beaches, Myanmar has pretty much everything I seek in a holiday destination. Mandalay has become a home away from home for me by now, and here is why.
Mandalay’s oldest gold manufacturer
Myanmar is renowned for its centuries-long mining history: from gold and silver to some of the world’s rarest gemstones, various precious ores and minerals rest underground here. Decorative elements made from locally sourced gold are displayed in local temples, as well as lavish homes of wealthy families, and gold is also used to make ritual offerings to the gods.
During my first stay in Myanmar, I visited King Galon, Mandalay’s oldest gold factory. There, I had a chance to see how gold is made and pound a raw gold bar with a hammer. Work with gold leafs is tough, but the workers do not seem to mind. I guess their positive attitude is due to either religion or the fact that they are actually handling one of the world’s most precious metals every day.
See workers handling one of the world’s most precious metals at King Galon, Mandalay’s oldest gold factory.
A walk across U Bein Bridge
A perfect place to take pictures of scenic sunsets, U Bein Bridge, stretching across the Taungthaman Lake, is the world’s longest teak bridge. Do not be surprised if you see monks passing by. This is one of their favorite promenades when they need to give in to contemplation outside temple walls.
Since Mandalay is characterized by tropical climate, U Bein is a great spot to capture amazing shots of rain across the lake. I managed to capture a few rainbow images here, and I carry one of them in my wallet to remind me of the peace I felt during my first visit to Mandalay.
The U Bein bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge, is a perfect place to take pictures of scenic sunsets.
Mahamuni, where human meets divine
Another Mandalay landmark that inspires awe at first glance, Mahamuni Pagoda is a remarkable structure with elaborate woodwork and decorations. Venturing indoors, you are drawn into a labyrinth of intersecting corridors running between chambers decked with gold statues.
The central chamber is a shrine framed by a lawn, with the ceiling covered by an ornate mosaic, and the arcades are supported by gilded columns embellished with fine frescoes. The shrine holds the legendary Mahamuni statue executed in bronze and inlaid with gold. According to legend, Buddha himself breathed onto the cast, perfectly capturing the king’s image.
Inside the Mahamuni Pagoda is a labyrinth of intersecting corridors running between chambers decked with gold statues.
Street food, a treat for all the senses
Based on my travel experience, street vendors in Asia sell the most scrumptious local delicacies. From Thailand and Bangladesh to India and Myanmar, authentic aromas and spice-streaked dishes taste finest straight off street stalls. In Mandalay at Tet Nay Win, on 68th street, I ate the most delicious lemon fish ever. They also serve great chicken and BBQ fish, so make sure you try their snacks if you chance to visit the neighborhood.
If you prefer vegetarian food, head over to 26th Street to Tea Salad. Here you can buy the mouth-watering Lahpet, a traditional Burmese salad with pickled tea leaves, sesame, roasted peanuts, garlic and local spices. My palate still tingles at the thought of the unique combination of flavors!
Mandalay’s street stalls offer flavorful snacks and local dishes to excite your senses.
Board a boat to Mingun
First-time Mandalay visitors should definitely board a boat to Mingun. After an exciting hour-long ride up the Ayeyarwady River, you arrive at the ancient village that takes pride in one of Mandalay’s most interesting attractions, the dilapidating Mingun Pahtodawgyi temple.
The works on the temple began back in 1790, but the monumental structure was never finished. According to folk tales, the project was abandoned after an astrologer foretold that the day of its completion would be the day of King Bodawpaya’s death. The huge stupa, which holds the world’s largest ringing bell (the giant weighs a whooping 90 tons!) cracked during an earthquake in 1839, and has been slowly crumbling ever since.
Venture an hour’s boat ride up the Ayeyarwady River to see the historic Mingun Pahtodawgyi temple.
A place where myths and reality collide, Myanmar is a perfect destination for lovers of exotic travel adventures. If you ask me, Mandalay deserves a top place on everyone’s bucket list: once you experience its splendor and charms, you will soon be coming back to relish more of its secret scents and observe another crimson sunset from U Bein.
About the Author
Oliver Hyde is an experienced business consultant from the UK. His job allows him to travel and discover new places. He can’t stay put at the same place for a long time, but Africa was an exception; it stole his heart and made him travel through the continent for more than a year. Connect with Oliver on Twitter and Google+.
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I fell totally in love with Myanmar when I visited a few years back. I was a bit nervous about travelling there because of the limited tourist infrastructure but that was more than made up for by the people. Unfortunately I did not check out half this stuff in Mandalay but love the bridge
The people in Myanmar are so incredible! They were definitely our favorite part of the country, although it is stunningly beautiful as well. We also missed a few of these spots in Mandalay and definitely want to go back 🙂
Mandalay looks awesome, we did Inle Lake, Bagan and Yangon and had to cut Mandalay off the map 🙁 next time!
Next time for sure! 🙂
I’m all about that street food! Loved this post – you’ve done such a good job at painting a picture and making em want to visit! I’m especially interested in seeing King Galon!
The street food in Myanmar is delicious, especially in Mandalay! Hope you can get over to Myanmar soon. It’s an incredible country!
Great read! Myanmar always looked exotic to me. Mandalay also looks interesting.
On my list now.
Give me more!
So glad you liked the post, Nisha! More to come 🙂
Thanks for these awesome tips! I wanted to visit Myanmar last year but ran out of time visiting other countries in Southeast Asia (choices, choices…;-). Next time though and these places are definitely on my list!
Southeast Asia is endlessly amazing. There is so much to experience here! Hope you can make it to Myanmar next time, you will love it!!
Mandalay sounds like an epic place to visit. I love the temples and the golden statues. Glad that you were able to share this experience.
Thanks for reading Karla 🙂 Cheers!
I just love the picture you took of the U Bein bridge so much. It captures so much of the atmosphere! Haven’t been to Myanmar yet but hope to travel there in the near future 🙂
Hope you can make it to Myanmar soon, Kathrin!
King Galon sounds like a really cool place–I’d love to see how gold is made! Love all the gold statues everywhere–they look so pretty! U Bein Bridge is gorgeous too. Would love to check out Myanmar sometime!
King Galon does sound amazing! Sadly Stevo and I missed it when we went to Myanmar in 2014. After reading Oliver’s awesome tips we want to go back! The U-Bein bridge is beautiful 🙂
Great read! It must be a challenge to call Myanmar home but definitely an interesting point of view. And, also, great ideas.
That shot of U Bein bridge is very very good!
Agreed, it’s a beautiful shot! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Myanmar and Mandalay are on my travel wish list. Hoping to get there this year or next.
Hope you can too! We were there in 2014 and now I really want to go back. Things are changing quickly over there!
Off the beaten tracks post are my fav!! This one is great because I’ve never been there so everything looks so exotic to me! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for reading, Sabrina!
Just over the border right now in Thailand. Maybe a trip north is required soon? That teak bridge is just stunning!
Do it!! Myanmar is an incredible country with beauty and adventure at every turn, and Burmese people are absolutely lovely!
Very interesting and what a handsome guy 🙂 We loved Mandalay and was our first intro to Myanmar. It’s totally underdeveloped but will inevitably change and evolve over the next few years and tourism industry increases more and more. Definitely agree this is the place for exotic travel adventure.
Mandalay was our first intro as well (Air Asia woot woot!). We loved the city. It’s such a great time to go to Myanmar as it’s changing rapidly. It is certainly a country for adventure! Cheers for the comment 🙂