Mandalay

Mandalay, well-known as the "City of Gems", remains the Golden Land's cultural centre. Situated in the heart of Upper Myanmar, the city lies at the hub of river routes from China and India and land routes from the Shan massif and Siam beyond. Mandalay is the economic and religious centre of Upper Myanmar.

Mandalay is Myanmar's second largest city with a population of aroung 500,000 and was founded in 1857. Manadalay was the last capital of Myanmar to fall before the British took over, and for this reason it still has great importance as a cultural centre. Mandalay is dry and dusty in the hot season, and is a sprawling town of busy streets, stunning pagodas and a lively cultural scene.

The rainy season lasts from mid-May until mid-October. For the next few months, the weather is quite reasonable. In fact, it is actually cool in Mandalay at night and near freezing in Kalaw, near Inle Lake. From mid-February, it gets increasingly hot until the rains arrive once more. The Burmese New Year in April, at the peak of the hot season, means much fun and throwing water at all concerned. November to February are the best months to visit.