Mandalay
Mandalay or “Yadanabon” (City of Gems) is the last capital of Myanmar Kingdom, located in the heart of upper Myanmar, 688 km due north of Yangon and on the east bank of Ayarwaddy River. It is established by King Mindon in1859, as a capital city, moving from Amarapura to the newly built Royal Palace at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Mandalay is the second largest city of Myanmar rich in monasteries Pagodas and cultural heritage. As the city is right at the center and links to all regions, it is the commercial center of the country.
Mandalay offers the largest repository of Myanmar arts and crafts like Shwe Chi Htoe (Gold thread weaving), articles of ivory, wood and stone, silver-wares and bronze statues. These are made by skilled craft men according to time honored traditions and inheritances of their fore fathers.
Mandalay is accessible by air, road, train and river routes round the year. There are daily to and from flights between Yangon and other cities and towns. It takes one and half hour by air, 14hrs by train and 12hrs by express buses from Yangon. There are hotels of International chain to local Hotels, Motels, Inns and guest houses for accommodation according to the visitors taste and budget. Taxi services are available at airports, hotels and in the town. Visitor can hire cars and bicycles on hourly or daily basis.
 

Mandalay Hill
It is 230 meter in elevation commands a magnificent view of the city surrounding country side. The legend says that Lord Buddha visited the top of the Hill and made prophecy saying and pointing that a famous and pious King would made a city at the foot of the hill. Thus King Mindon had to build the present day palace on the spot pointed. Most of the visitors climb up the Hill in hurry at the time of sun-set to see the panoramic view of the sun going down majestically behind the mountains.