Though Yangon is the present capital, Mandalay, or the "City of Gems"- according to the meaning of its former "Yadana Pon", remains the country's cultural center. Situated in the heart of the Upper Myanmar, Mandalay is the economic and religious center of upper Myanmar. Being an old capital of Myanmar Kings, founded in 1857 by King Mindon, Mandalay is abundantly rich in historical memorials and Buddhist monuments as well. Some say to know Mandalay means to know Myanmar.

One account states that during the reign of King Mindon, steamers began to come up to Inwa (Ava) and Amarapura. Since both towns were on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River, it would have been possible for the Europeans to bring artillery pieces up-river aboard the trading ships and to shell the then capital of Amarapura.

King Mindon therefore decided the capital should be moved some distance from the river, beyond the range of enemy fire. This must have been the original reason of founding Mandalay though there were some other reasons.

Of all the places in Mandalay, Mandalay Hill is a top priority for all who come here. Apart from its Pagoda and buildings, it is the best place to enjoy the sunset. Visitors are seen hurrying up the hill to get a panoramic view of the sun going down majestically behind the mountain. Pagodas and shrines on the mountains and hues and rays of the setting sun reflecting in the Great River Ayeyarwaddy will make it a memorable event for life.

Down the hill, visitors will find many great Pagodas - Kyauktawgyi, noted for its Great Image which was carved out of a single block of hue marble, Kuthodaw, known as the World's Biggest Book for its 729 marble slabs on which the whole Buddha's Doctrine is inscribed and Golden Monastery of Shwe Nandaw Kyaung, the only living masterpiece of woodcarving of King Mindon's time.

King Bodaw Phaya brought Maha Muni Buddha Image, also called Phaya Gyi, the Great Image, here from Rakhine (Arakan) State in 1784. To the Buddhist devotees of Myanmar, this richly gilded Image is not a mere representation of the Lord Buddha but is an icon, which is considered sacred itself. The pride of Mandalay is the Royal Palace. It was the seat of the last Konebaung Dynasty, burnt down by bombs during the Second World War and now reconstructed to its present glory.