Mandalay Palace

Mandalay Palace was the last royal residence of the Burmese monarchy before the British annexation in 1885. It was constructed between 1857 and 1859 by King Mindon to serve as the centerpiece of his new capital, Mandalay, utilizing dismantled structures from the previous capital at Amarapura. The palace grounds form a great square of 2 by 2 kilometers, protected by 8-meter-high walls and a 64-meter-wide moat, reflecting traditional Buddhist cosmological layouts. The architecture follows strict hierarchical rules, with the audience halls and the Great Throne Room situated on a raised platform at the center of the complex. During World War II, the palace was almost entirely destroyed by Allied airstrikes aimed at Japanese forces stationed there; only the Shwenandaw Monastery and the watchtower foundations survived. In the 1990s, the government undertook an extensive reconstruction project using modern materials like concrete while maintaining the original scale and traditional forms. Today, the complex remains a major cultural landmark and part of it continues to function as a military garrison, with the central reconstructed palace area open to visitors.

Nearby cities

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The capital of the Magway Region, known for the production of edible oil and sesame.

History & landmarks

Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda

A tiny golden pagoda spectacularly built on top of a narrow, steep limestone spire.

More places

Amarapura Historical City

A former capital of Myanmar, known for its silk weaving and the famous teakwood U Bein Bridge.

Mandalay Palace Moat Park

An expansive recreational area surrounding the wide, water-filled moat of the historic Mandalay Royal Palace.

Yadanabon Zoological Gardens

A well-known zoo at the foot of Mandalay Hill, playing an important role in the breeding of endemic Burmese animal species.

Kuthodaw Pagoda

A Buddhist stupa in Mandalay that contains the "world's largest book", consisting of hundreds of marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist texts.

Shwenandaw Monastery

A historic Buddhist monastery in Mandalay, famous for its exquisite teak wood carvings and traditional architecture.

Mahamuni Buddha Temple

One of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Myanmar, housing a highly venerated Buddha statue.

Ayeyarwady Dolphin Protected Area

A stretch of river north of Mandalay dedicated to the protection of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, known for their cooperation with local f…

Inwa Ruins

The remnants of the ancient imperial capital that was the center of successive Burmese kingdoms from the 14th to the 19th centuries.