MandalayMandalay was the last capital of Myanmar before the British took over, and for this reason it still has great importance as a cultural cnetre. Historically it's the most Burmese of the country's large cities, a place where you'll come clost to the 'heart' of Myanmar despite China-style modernisation. Mandalay still has considerable cultural and religious significance and its Buddhist monastries are amongst the most important in the country about 60% of all the monks in the Myanmar reside in the Mandalay area. It's also said that Mandalay residents speak better Burmese than anyone else in the country.
The city takes its name from Mandalay Hill, the 236-metre-high bulff that rises just to the north-east of Mandalay Fort and its royal palace. Mandalay is the largest city in the country after that of the capital, Yangon (Rangoon). It lies in the centre of Myanmar's dry-zone and is a surprisingly sprawling place, you will find wandering around the city in the hot season a dry and dusty experience.
Historically, Mandalay is a comparatively young city and its period as the capital of the last Burmese kingdome was a short one. Most of the monuments and buildings are therefore fairly recent, although some temples long pre-date the city. For centuries this area of Myanmar was the site of the capitals of the Burmese kingdoms; while in Mandalay you can easily visit three former royal cities - all now deserted.
King Mindon Min, penultimate ruler in the Konbaung dynasty, founded the city in 1857 and began construction of his new capital. The actual shift from nearby Amarapura to the new royal palace took place in 1861. In true Burmese tradition the new palace was constructed mainly from the dismantle wooden buildings of the previous palace at Amarapura. Mandalay's period of glory was short - Mindon was succeeded by the disastrous Thibaw Min and in 1885 Mandalay was taken by the British. Thibaw and his notorious queen were brought to India of the British Empire at that time.