Mandalay & Around

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Mandalay & Around

Includes  Why Go? Mandalay...... 236 The Mandalay region is the major population centre of Up- Amarapura...... 261 per Burma, itself the cradle of Burmese arts, culture and civi- Inwa (Ava). . . . . 263 lisation. Where Yangon is a diverse microcosm of the nation, Sagaing ...... 266 Mandalay – for all its traffic and construction – remains an urban expression of Burmese ethnic identity, as seen in local Mingun...... 269 dance shows, puppetry and crafts shops. And that identity is Paleik...... 270 realised not just via considerable cultural capital, but prox- imity to a host of historical and religious sites. Places such as Inwa and Sagaing offer a green, rural escape from urban congestion, plus access to some of the nation’s most evoca- Best Places to Eat tive religious sites and archaeological ruins. And one of the world’s biggest bells, its longest teak foot ¨¨Aye Myit Tar (p252) bridge and an enormous, failed monument to royal hubris ¨¨Shan Ma Ma (p252) are just around the corner. Throw in Upper Burmese cuisine, ¨¨Pan Cherry (p252) friendly locals and sunsets over the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, and you have a region worthy of careful exploration. ¨¨Super 81 (p252) ¨¨Ko’s Kitchen (p251) When to Go Best Places to Mandalay °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm Sleep 40/104 12/300 ¨¨Rupar Mandalar (p250) 30/86 ¨¨Peacock Lodge (p246) 8/200 ¨¨Hotel by the Red Canal 20/68 4/100 (p248) 10/50 ¨¨Shwe Ingyinn Hotel (p249) 0/32 0 ¨¨Hotel 8 (p249) J FDM A M J J A S O N

Nov–Feb Peak Apr–Sep Extreme Oct & Mar Budget tourist season: heat gives way hotels quieter; days hot but to serious mid- AC is still useful bearable, evenings summer rain; and rain is still mild and occa- expect widespread possible. sionally chilly. closures during Thingyan festival. ) ) n a i n i l i i a k m w m l d 235 n

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