What are the best things to do in Mandalay?
Top picks in Mandalay include Jade Market, Flower Market, Shwenandaw Monastery, Waterfall Hill. See the full list and itinerary on this Mandalay travel guide.
Photo: MarenHumburg · CC BY-SA 4.0
Travel guide for Mandalay, Myanmar — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Mandalay is a stop in Myanmar, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Jade Market, Flower Market, Shwenandaw Monastery instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 25–70 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Jade Market
Flower Market
Shwenandaw Monastery
Waterfall Hill
Jade Market
Flower Market
Waterfall Hill
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Day 1
Day 2
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 25–70
per person / day
Luxury
USD 80–135+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Mandalay, Myanmar. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Typical mid-range for Mandalay
Estimated total (USD)
$1,725
≈ $863 per person · $246 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $50/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Mandalay mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 25–70 · luxury 80–135+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Local favourites
Myint Myint Khin
Recognisable by the abbreviation MMK on the company logo, the most famous purveyor of Htou moun in all of Myanmar.
Unique Bar and Restaurant
This bar and restaurant is near the foot of the Mandalay hill, and provides an easily accessible lunch spot during a tour of the nearby mona
Mingalar-bar
A good place to try a large variety of local Myanmarese cuisine. Apart from the pun-ny name, the restaurant's dishes are quite creative. The
Shop for Htou mont
They will normally let you try the different types. You can have mixed boxes as well. Eat them within 4-7 days (depends on type).
Street Pancakes
Afternoons you'll find a pleasant Indian lady making savoury and sweet street pancakes in a cast iron frying pan in front of her house. Chea
Super 81
Double-storey restaurant with great barbecued seafood. Air-conditioned second floor. The extensive menu includes Thai, Chinese, Indian and w
Tourist favourites & top-rated
AD1 Hotel
Central location in the heart of Zeygo Market. The rooftop is something special. Rooms are tacky and baths dated, but the price is OK.
Nylon Hotel
Room, bathroom quality is standard for Burma at this price. Basic breakfast and working Wi-Fi in room included. Extremely friendly staff, ex
Mahar Hotel
One block from Nylon Hotel, rooms are very clean and relatively good value for the price (for Mandalay), though single rooms are small. Hot
Peacock Lodge
Terrific home stay B&B, with very friendly family staff. A bit out of the centre. Has bike rentals. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms, includes breakf
Hotel Sahara
2-star hotel in the heart of Mandalay. 29 rooms (3 different kinds), all of which offer AC, TV, fridge, hot/cold showers, comfortable beds;
Photos: MarenHumburg, Heinz_Htetz, Mayor mt — via Wikimedia Commons
Top picks in Mandalay include Jade Market, Flower Market, Shwenandaw Monastery, Waterfall Hill. See the full list and itinerary on this Mandalay travel guide.
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
Plan at least 2 days in Mandalay for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Popular stays in Mandalay include AD1 Hotel, Nylon Hotel, Mahar Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
On the ground in Mandalay (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 25–70, and luxury about 80–135+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Mandalay, Myanmar. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.