Mandalay, Former royal capital in central Myanmar
Mandalay is a former royal capital on the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar. The layout combines old palaces, temples, and wide boulevards with lively markets and trade districts that stretch down to the river.
King Mindon moved the capital to this site in 1857 and built a walled palace with sprawling courtyards. The British conquest in 1885 ended the rule of the last Burmese dynasty, while the palace later served as a military headquarters.
The name comes from the hill at whose base the settlement was built, a site that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Large monasteries attract monks from across the country who study Buddhist teachings there and walk through the streets in the early morning hours.
An international airport connects the city with other destinations across Asia, while train connections to many places across the country are available. The best time to visit is between November and February, when temperatures are more tolerable and humidity levels drop.
A large pagoda houses Buddhist scriptures inscribed on 729 marble slabs, a collection often referred to as the world's largest book. Traders from the Chinese province of Yunnan have shaped entire streets with jade markets and trading centers over recent decades.
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