| E Blundell |
22 January 2005 |
Stayed at Sedona Hotel Mandalay - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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Mandalay and the nearby mountains (about 2 hours drive) have many interesting sights to visit. We would recommend using a private (tour) taxi as you can get to places that are not accessible by tour coach. The drivers also are very knowledgible and can provide a lot of information and help, e.g places to eat. You can usually hire by the day and cost ranges between about US$30 to US$50.
We found the modern Mandalay airport a refreshing change from the outdated and poor condition Yangon airport.
When arriving make sure to purchase a ticket that allows foreign tourist entry for most of the attractions/sights in the Mandalay area. The cost is US$10 per person but can save a lot of money over paying at each individual sight. Be prepared for additional charges for the use of still cameras and video cameras. These vary from place to place and are usually paid in local currency.
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| G Aydt |
04 January 2005 |
Stayed at Mandalay Hill Resort - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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Mandalay city itself isn't a real beauty. But you should absolutely walk all the 1.400 or so steps up to the hill and start about 4 p.m., so you'll be there before sunset. While walking you will meet a lot of Myanmar people, who like to talk to foreigners and who love to practise english. Mahamuni pagoda is also a must. There is a view point for sunset somewhere at the Irawady (I don't know exactly where, you should ask for good places apart Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset). This place isn't yet touristic at all - people are living on their houseboats...great ambiance!!! The surroundings of Mandalay are very nice, very green. Amarapura, Sagaing, Inwa are nice. and there are more places. I've been twice to Myanmar and in both cases I took a taxi with driver from the Inle Lake (Nyaungshwe) to Mandalay (it has to take the old road) and the route is SO nice. You first go a long way through the mountains and then it's green and there are canals. Even if the trip by car lasts about 7 hours - it's worth while!!!
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| G Subramaniam |
11 February 2004 |
Stayed at Mandalay Swan Hotel - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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In Mandalay, we highly recommend a boat trip on the Irrawady river to Mingun to see the collosal uncompleted Mingun Paya.
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| C Yang |
21 January 2004 |
Stayed at Emerald Land Inn - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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We hired a car to get around at the cost of USD17 per day. The English speaking driver was very helpful and he served as a tourist guide to us as well. He recommended us to see the sunset at Ubengdada (old bridge) which was one of the most wonderful experiences I ever had.
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| A Pollak |
24 November 2003 |
Stayed at Emerald Land Inn - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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We hired a taxi driver for one day and we visited AVA, AMARAPURA and the SAGAIN hills which was really fascinating! For ladies:I had a traditional hairwash done in a beauty salon! This was an extraordinary experience! It is really different in europe but the head massage was really perfect! I really recommend this to all women-it is very relaxing!
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| S Crawford |
29 May 2003 |
Stayed at Sedona Hotel Mandalay - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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We chartered a boat to Mingun which allowed us to stop at villages along the way. Mingun was the most touristy place in Myanmar although there was still not very much hassle. We would thoroughly recommend the 40 minute trip to Amarapura (by taxi) coinciding with lunch time at the monastery (about 10.30 am) as the sight of 1,000 monks lined up 2 by 2 is amazing. We got around Mandalay using trishaws.
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| F Bochmann |
04 December 2002 |
Stayed at Sedona Hotel Mandalay - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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Easy to get around. Take a "Baby-Car" to catch the atmosphere.
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| S Bray |
07 October 2002 |
Stayed at Mandalay Swan Hotel - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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Visitors should see Mandalay Hill, Royal Palace and if possible take a half-day trip to Mingun temple. Regular service departs ferry pier early in the morning and returns about lunch time. It is possible to hire a private boat which gives better flexibility and also ensures your money goes to a local person, rather than a government-owned operator.
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| J Grey |
09 May 2002 |
Stayed at Mandalay Swan Hotel - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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Mandalay seems to be a little world all of its own. Exchange rates are lower there and things are a bit more expensive. However the people are lovely. A very friendly trishaw driver found us on our first day and we left ourselves in his charge from then on. Without him we would never have sat in the office of the headmaster of a monks' training school discussing the syllabus nor have been served ultra sweet tea and cake at a wedding before having our photos taken with the bride and groom. If you have the chance do go and see the Moustache Brothers, forget the dinner and shows that the hotels put on , this is the real thing.
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| J Grey |
07 May 2002 |
Stayed at Popa Mountain Resort - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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We visited Mt Popa after two days hard temple visiting at Bagan. The Mt Popa resort provided a very welcome break for our feet and the cool temperature and pool aided our relaxation prior to more temple visiting in Mandalay. The temple at Mt Popa is a little glitzy especially compared to those at Bagan and watch out for monkeys on the walk up.
If you're heading to Mandalay by road from Bagan (highly recommended, you see so much more this way even if you do break down), Mt Popa is a lovely place to stop.
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Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Mandalay, Myanmar
