Mandalay Palace, Royal palace in central Mandalay, Myanmar
Mandalay Palace is a royal residence in central Mandalay, Myanmar, consisting of more than 40 wooden buildings within a walled compound. The walls form a square about two kilometers on each side, surrounded by a wide moat with access gates on every face.
King Mindon built the compound between 1857 and 1859 as the new capital of the kingdom, housing the entire administration within its walls. British troops seized it in 1885, ending the monarchy, while bombing during World War II destroyed most of the original structures.
The name comes from the nearby hill town, and the layout reflects cosmological beliefs with the throne hall representing the center of the universe. Visitors notice the extensive use of teak and the gold leaf decorating roofs and doorways, marking royal status.
Access is through the eastern side, and visitors must walk certain sections since motorized vehicles are allowed only in limited areas. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense.
The current compound is largely a reconstruction from after 1990, with craftsmen using traditional techniques to recreate the original appearance. A small section of the old mint remains as one of the few authentic pre-war buildings.
Location: Mandalay
Inception: 1859
GPS coordinates: 21.99294,96.09591
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26
Myanmar offers photographers an exceptional range of subjects, from ancient temple complexes to natural landscapes. The archaeological zone of Bagan, with more than 2,000 pagodas and temples spread across 40 square miles (104 square kilometers), ranks among Southeast Asia's most significant historical sites. The golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, its central stupa rising 325 feet (99 meters), dominates the skyline of the former capital. At Inle Lake, photographers document the daily life of locals who propel their boats with a distinctive leg-rowing technique, along with floating gardens and villages built on stilts. The country's temple architecture appears in various forms: the white Ananda Temple in Bagan from the 11th century, the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay with its 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist texts, or the 2,478 stupas at Kakku in Shan State. U Bein Bridge near Amarapura, a 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) teak bridge built in 1850, draws photographers especially at sunrise and sunset. Natural formations such as the limestone caves at Pindaya containing thousands of Buddha statues, or the Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo appearing to balance on a cliff edge, expand the photographic possibilities. Beyond the well-known sites, other compelling subjects emerge: the colonial character of Mawlamyaing, the limestone mountains around Hpa-an, the 2,417-foot (737-meter) Mount Popa with its monastery atop a volcanic plug, or Gokteik Viaduct, a 2,260-foot (689-meter) railway bridge from the British colonial period. The 590-foot (180-meter) reclining Buddha statue Win Sein Taw Ya near Mawlamyaing and the monumental Buddha statues at Monywa demonstrate the scale of religious art in the country. The beaches at Ngapali on the west coast provide contrast to the cultural and historical sites in the interior.
U Bein Bridge
12 km
Mahamuni Buddha Temple
4.9 km
Kuthodaw Pagoda
2.2 km
Mahamuni Buddha
4.9 km
Mingun Bell
10.5 km
Mingun Pahtodawgyi
10.4 km
Shwenandaw Monastery
2 km
Hsinbyume Pagoda
10.8 km
Bagaya Monastery
9.1 km
Sandamuni Pagoda
1.8 km
Atumashi Monastery
1.9 km
Mahagandhayon Monastery
11.8 km
Kyauktawgyi Buddha Temple
1.7 km
Yadanabon Zoological Gardens
1.5 km
Mandalarthiri Stadium
5.5 km
Bahtoo Stadium
1.2 km
Shweinbin Monastery
4.3 km
Yaw Mingyi Monastery
2.5 km
Salin Monastery
2.2 km
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Mandalay
1.9 km
Taiktaw Monastery
1.3 km
Man Myanmar Plaza
2.3 km
Tawagu Pagoda
1.5 km
Maha Min Htin Monastery
4.5 km
Mogaung Monastery
2 km
Shwekyimyint Pagoda
1.7 km
Man Thida Park
1.1 km
Little Stars Water Park
4.2 kmReviews
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