Mandalay Division is situated on the eastern bank of Irrawaddy River
and in central Myanmar. Mandalay is second largest city of Myanmar. Within the
city boundaries are Mandalay Fort, Mandalay Hill with its numerous pagodas and
Myanmar cultural shows, such as troupes and traditional kickboxing. Mandalay is
a cultural and religious centre of Buddhism, having many monasteries and more
than 700 pagodas of great beauty. The Palace, moat, walls and monasteries of the
last Konbaung Kings have been restored. Mandalay Hill, Maha Myatmuni pagoda,
Zegyo market, are some of its attractions.
Built in 1850, Mandalay was the capital of the independent Kingdom of Burma
until it was captured by the British in 1885, after which it was the
headquarters, known as Fort Dufferin of Upper Burma. It was captured by the
Japanese in 1942. With the formation of the Union of Burma, the city became the
capital of Mandalay Division in 1948.
The four ancient cities of Amarapura, Ava, Sagamg, and Mgun offer a
fascinating look into Myanmar's past. Maymyo, an original Shan Damu village and
a British hill station, is picturesque and home to a thriving sweater trade.
Mount Popa, 1,518 m, is the centre of a now-extinct volcano in the middle of a
fertile plane.
Bagan and Nyaung-Oo, the legendary land of four million Pagodas, now only
2,210, is recognized as the archaeological treasure of the world, the Abode of
Nats, a scenic spot and a resort with Kyetmauktaung Dam and close by the hill
resort and city of flowers of Pyin Oo Lyin. Mogoke, the famed Ruby Land with gem
mines and markets. Amarapura, a weaving city where colourful silk dresses are
woven with over a hundred shuttles. Historically, Tagaung was the first capital
of Myanmar and located 204 km up river.