Finally Experiencing the Real Myanmar – Cultural Mandalay ✨

After saying goodbye to Yangon, we boarded a bus 🚌 heading to Mandalay. In Myanmar, long-distance travel mostly relies on buses, and there are many types to choose from. Since we had to sleep on the bus overnight, we opted for the ultimate luxury of JJ Express—a decision that proved wise. (To my surprise, there was even a bus attendant! 😮) The next morning, as we stepped off the bus under a golden sunrise ☀️, the scene before me instantly lifted my spirits. In the distance, bustling locals mingled with monks in crimson robes collecting alms. This was the true essence of Myanmar. For someone like me who loves cultural experiences, it was pure bliss. 🙏 Mandalay Palace 🏰 The Mandalay Palace was the royal residence of Myanmar’s Konbaung Dynasty, built in 1857. The palace is square-shaped, with each side stretching 2 kilometers—5.5 times larger than the Forbidden City—earning it the title of the "World’s Largest Palace." Originally, it had 104 grand halls, but most were destroyed during WWII. The Myanmar government began reconstruction in 1989, restoring 89 main halls, and opened it to the public in 1996. Two must-visit spots are the Watchtower and the Museum. Climbing the watchtower offers a panoramic view of the entire palace, while the museum displays royal artifacts, furniture, photographs, and more—making it the only place to delve into Myanmar’s royal history. Note: The palace has multiple entrances, but tourists can only enter and exit through the gate near 66th Street. After crossing the moat, only walking is allowed inside, and passports are checked by military personnel at the entrance. Kuthodaw Pagoda 📜 Located at the foot of Mandalay Hill, the Kuthodaw Pagoda was built in 1857 by King Mindon. It’s said that 2,400 monks from across Southeast Asia gathered here for the Fifth Buddhist Council, where the entire Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures) was inscribed on 729 marble slabs. These slabs, known as the "World’s Largest Book," are enshrined in the pagoda—a unique and unparalleled treasure in the Buddhist world. Golden Palace Monastery (Shwenandaw Kyaung) 🏯 This is one of the few all-teak monasteries in Mandalay, standing on hundreds of massive teak pillars in classic Mindon-era style. Originally, it was King Mindon’s private chamber inside the palace, where he later passed away. His successor, to avoid the taboo of death in the palace, had the entire structure dismantled and relocated to its current site, converting it into a monastery. What makes it remarkable isn’t just its pure teak construction, but also its gold leaf-covered interiors and exteriors. Had time not weathered it, this monastery could have rivaled Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) in grandeur. #HiddenGems #FavoriteTravelSpots #Myanmar #TravelGuide #AvoidTouristTraps #Mandalay #RoyalPalace #Temples #Monks #Buddhism #TravelDiaries #AncientMandalay #MandalayPalace #MyanmarTeak #CulturalPhotography #StreetPhotography #KuthodawPagoda #GoldenPalaceMonastery