Travel Mandalay by Yourself

Travel Mandalay by Yourself: Discover the Charm of a Major City in Myanmar

Hello, I'm mr.hotsia. Today, I will take you to experience traveling Mandalay by yourself. Mandalay is a major city in northern Myanmar that still holds classic charm and traditional lifestyles for us to deeply learn and experience. Although many know Mandalay as the city with Mandalay Palace, for me, the interesting things go far beyond that.

Traveling to Mandalay

For travel, I chose to fly direct from Bangkok with AirAsia, which offers this direct route. Ticket prices are very cheap if booked in advance. Conveniently, Mandalay Airport provides free shuttle service to the city, which is about 35 kilometers away and takes around 45 minutes. You can also take public transport or hire a taxi easily. For those interested in travel details and preparation for entering Myanmar, I have written aboutTraveling from Yangon Airport to the Cityfor anyone who wants more information.

Accommodation in Mandalay: Options for Every Budget

Regarding accommodation in Mandalay, prices are higher than expected. I stayed at Fortune Mandalay Hotel, a budget hotel costing about 750 baht per night. The bathroom was shared with a squat toilet and not separated by gender, which was quite difficult for me as I am big-sized. On the last day, I switched to a private bathroom room with two beds, costing 1,200 baht per night including breakfast, which was very worthwhile. The hotel's location is excellent, not far from the morning market, with delicious restaurants and coffee shops offering free WiFi and cool air conditioning nearby. Walking around this area is comfortable as it is considered the central district of Mandalay.

If you want higher-class accommodation, Mandalay also has 4-5 star hotels located on Mandalay Hill and around the city. I recommend booking your first night's stay in advance, then choosing additional accommodations as you like on following days because Mandalay has many types of tourists and a wide variety of lodging. For those interested in booking accommodation in advance, you can click hereBook Accommodation in Mandalayfor convenience and safety.

Getting Around the City: Enjoy a Relaxed Exploration

Traveling within Mandalay offers many options including motorcycle taxis, cycle rickshaws, and taxis, but I did not see any meter taxis in this city. For short distances within the city, I chose motorcycle taxis because they are convenient and reasonably priced at about 1-2 USD per trip. If you want to hire a vehicle for trips outside the city such as to Mingun or U Bein Bridge, the price is about 15 USD per day or 15,000 kyats. For city tours like Mandalay Hill, I paid about 10 USD per day.

Mandalay is a very safe city to travel in. I recommend dressing and clearly showing that you are a tourist because Burmese and Thai people look very similar. When locals know you are a tourist, you will be welcomed with genuine smiles and friendliness.

Must-Visit Attractions in Mandalay

If you ask me which places are must-visit in Mandalay, here is my priority list of recommended attractions:

1. Mingun- I call it the "Pyramid of Myanmar." Here you will find a massive unfinished pagoda and the largest bell in the world. This place impressed me the most in Mandalay.
2. Mahamuni Buddha- A sacred Buddha image deeply revered by the Burmese. Visiting and witnessing the gold leaf application ceremony at Mahamuni is a deeply spiritual experience.
3. U Bein Bridge- The longest teakwood bridge in the world crossing a lake. The sunset atmosphere here is so beautiful that I never wanted to leave.
4. Mandalay Hill- A 360-degree viewpoint of Mandalay city. This is an excellent spot for watching sunrise and sunset, along with beautiful temples and a peaceful atmosphere.

Other places such asSagaing HillandInwa (Ava) Cityare also worth visiting if you have time. But for me, the top four must not be missed.

Experience the Lifestyle and Burmese Food in Mandalay

Besides tourist attractions, what I enjoyed most was experiencing the lifestyle of people in Mandalay. I strolled through the morning market, saw local shops, traditional food, and tried Burmese dishes at small roadside eateries popular with locals. My favorite dish wasNam Jao Pla Raeaten with fresh vegetables, similar to our local fermented fish chili dip that brings a warm feeling. There are also other dishes like rich and spicy curries resembling northern Thai curry such as Hang Lay curry.

If you have traveled to Yangon before,Yangonhas a similar lifestyle and food, but Mandalay is quieter and retains a more traditional way of life.

Summary of Traveling Mandalay with mr.hotsia

Mandalay remains a major tourist city that I believe will keep its charm and appeal forever. Its ease of travel and safety make me prefer visiting here independently rather than with a tour because I get to experience the real life of Burmese people more, talk to them, walk in markets, and fully enjoy local food.

If you have a chance to visit Myanmar, I, mr.hotsia, recommend spending 3-4 days in Mandalay to cover Mingun, Mahamuni Buddha, U Bein Bridge, and Mandalay Hill. I guarantee you will fall in love with this city as I have.