VIETLAND HOLIDAYS

MANDALAY is the second biggest city after Yangon in Myanamar, about 720km North of Yangon, was former capital in Northen Myanmar (Burma)

Population: 2,6 million people

Founded in 1857 in the foot of Mandalay Hill.

Gateway: Mandalay International Airport, located 35 km south of Mandalay

The Old Royal City Wall, Mandalay, Burma

Mandalay is the center of social economic development,and also education, health in the North Region of Myanamar, There have been many Chinese immigrants from Yunnan crossing the border and having settled in the city during 20 years, and later it has increased the trade with China Mandalay was to be the last royal capital of the Konbaung Dynasty, the last independent Burmese kingdom before its final annexation by the British Empire.

Colonial Mandalay (1885 - 1948): Mandalay became the main city of Upper Burma during Brittish Colony. the railway was built for the commercial and political importance, Mandalay was the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning, and as the last royal capital, was regarded by the Burmese as a primary symbol of sovereignty and identity. The British rule brought in many immigrants from India to the city from 1904 - 1905.

In World War II, Mandalay was mainly destroyed by air raids by the Japanese, and then occupied by Japanese from 1942 - 1945

Contemporary Mandalay (1948 - present): After the country gained independence from Britain in 1948, Mandalay continued to be the main cultural, educational and economic hub of Upper Burma.

Mandalay is located in the central dry zone of Burma, 80 meters (260 feet) above sea level.

Mandalay features a tropical wet and dry climate, very hot in the months of April and May ( 35 oC), coolest in Jan (21 oC), the wet season running from May through October and the dry season covering the remaining six months

What to see in Mandalay?

- Mandalay Hill: at 790 ft (240 m), is home to many of Mandalay's religious sites.

- The Mandalay Palace: Built by King Mindon between 1857 and 1859 and inherited by King Thibaw before colonial times, Mandalay Palace was the last Burmese royal citadel to be built in Burma

- Kuthodaw Pagoda : Some of the 729 stupas known as the world's largest book

- Atumashi Monastery has been rebuilt as a faithful replica of the original destroyed by a fire.

- The Yunnanese Buddhist Temple and Association in Mandalay is a major Chinese temple in the city.

- Shwenandaw Kyaung or Golden Palace Monastery: The only surviving original building from Mandalay's royal palace is Shwenandaw Monastery, which is also commonly known as the Golden Palace Monastery.