Mandalay Palace — Attraction in Mandalay District

Mandalay Palace, located in Mandalay, Myanmar, was the royal residence of the last two kings of the Konbaung dynasty, King Mindon and King Thibaw. It was built between 1857 and 1859 as part of King Mindon's founding of Mandalay as the new royal capital. The palace complex is situated within a walled fort, encircled by a moat, and follows a traditional Burmese palace design. Although largely destroyed in World War II, a replica was rebuilt in the 1990s. Key Features and History: Construction: Built by King Mindon, replacing Amarapura as the capital, to establish a new royal city. Design: Follows traditional Burmese palace architecture with a walled fort, a moat, and one-story buildings. The number of spires above a building indicates its importance. Historical Significance: Mandalay Palace was the royal residence and seat of government until its capture by British forces in 1885 during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. World War II: The palace was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, with only the royal mint and watch tower surviving. Reconstruction: A replica was rebuilt in the 1990s using modern materials, but it aims to preserve the original design. Visiting the Palace: Location: The palace is located in the center of Mandalay city, between 12th and 26th streets. Opening Hours: Generally open from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Entrance Fee: There is an entrance fee, typically around US$10. Attractions: Visitors can explore the palace grounds, including the audience hall, royal throne, and other royal buildings. The watchtower offers panoramic views of the palace and surrounding area. Getting Around: Renting a bike or taking a city tour are good options for exploring the palace and its...

LAST month, nearly 3,000 holidaymakers visited Mandalay Palace, also known as Myanansankyaw Shwenandaw, the last royal palace of Myanmar. Built by King Mindon in the 1850s when he shifted his capital from Amarapura, the Great Golden Royal Palace located in the heart of Mandalay City is one of the more popular tourist attractions of Myanmar and is famous for its ancient architecture. Visitors, including 150 foreigners, toured the Royal Palace in April, according to the administration department under the Mandalay branch of the department of archaeology. Foreigners have to pay a Ks10,000 admission fee, while the authority collects Ks200 per head from local visitors. There is no entry fee for children. The royal palace hosts roughly 200 visitors daily. The majority of visitors are students and observers from Mandalay and nearby areas. If officials are given advanced notice, groups will be given the background history of the palace and related...

It is overall not a great place to visit. Here are things to know: (1) You may only enter from the east gate. (2) They take foreigners passports. (That was unsettling and unwelcoming.) (3) The palace is poorly maintained and in a sad state of disrepair. It desperately needs a pressure wash and paint as well as wood repair. (4) There is almost nothing inside. No furniture, very few instructional panels, no maps or brochures -- just empty buildings where your visit disturbs flocks of pooping pigeons. (5) A small museum in back has several nice artifacts tastefully displayed. (6) There is a great view from the tower. In general there is a lack of care and attention to the palace. It is made all the more stark by how nice Thailand and Cambodia's palaces are. I hope Myanmar will improve this palace in the future and not allow it's history to rot. It is a sad place squandering it's potential as it sits now...