Mandalay, the second largest city of Burma with over 1 million people is the cultural and Buddhist center of Burma. The city is located on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River in Central Burma some 400 miles north of Yangon and about 110 miles north East of Bagan. Mandalay, founded in 1857, is a relatively new city; the ancient capitals Sagaing, Inwa and Amarapura around Mandalay are much older. Mandalay was the capital of Burma during the Konbaung era from 1859 until 1885, when Mandalay was brought under British rule. The city and its surrounding towns are known for the hundreds of pagodas and monasteries found in the area. According to local legend the Buddha once visited Mandalay Hill and foretold that a great Buddhist city would be built at the base of the hill in the Buddhist year 2400. Near the top of Mandalay hill is a large standing Buddha known as the prophesying Buddha, pointing at the location where the city was to be build.

King Mindon Min who was a devout Buddhist fulfilled the prophecy when he founded Mandalay in 1857 (Buddhist year 2400). A large citadel was built surrounded by walls and moats. In its center the new Royal Palace was constructed. Part of it came from the old Palace of the former capital Amarapura, that was dismantled and transported to the new capital. Although not one of the oldest cities in Burma, Mandalay and the older towns around it contain a wealth of significant monuments.

One of Burma’s most important pilgrimage sites is the Mahamuni Buddha Pagoda in Mandalay. This temple enshrines the gold plated Mahamuni Buddha image, which according to legend was made during the life time of the Buddha and cast after his image. Another important Buddhist site is the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a gilded pagoda near Mandalay Hill. It is best known for its 729 stone slabs that contain the texts of the Tripitaka, the sacred Buddhist teachings. Each stone slab is contained in a separate small stupa. The Mandalay Palace is a reproduction of the original all wooden Royal Palace built in 1857. The Shwenandaw Kyaung or Golden Palace Monastery is a very intricately decorated all teak wood building that was moved outside the Palace grounds and is the only remaining original major building of the Palace. Mandalay Hill is dotted with pagodas and Buddhist temples. From the top of the hill there are great views of Mandalay and the Ayeyarwaddy River. Close to the top is a large standing Buddha pointing to Mandalay.