Rainforest

Mandalay


Plenty of travellers (but few locals) climb through the treasure-packed family 'antique' shop to a covered balcony with tinkling wind chimes and assorted handicrafts to dine on Thai food that's creamy and mildly spiced for Western palates. This place, now a little tired and complacent, feels the most backpacker-oriented in Mandalay (except perhaps Marie-Min next door), as reflected by the linen-clad clientele.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mandalay attractions

1. Moat & Fortress Walls

0.49 MILES

Viewable only from the outside, a 230ft-wide moat and well over 4 miles of crenellated 26ft-high walls form a vast square around the site of the former…

2. Central Mosque

0.59 MILES

This mosque is not a tourist attraction per se, but it has been the site of tense confrontation when anti-Muslim anger has been stoked in the past. The…

3. Cultural Museum & Library

0.63 MILES

This dusty, dowdy and poorly lit collection displays archaeological finds, buddhas and a bullock cart. As is the case in many local archaeology museums,…

4. Sri Ganesh Temple

0.66 MILES

This temple's colourful, sculpture-crusted gopuram (monumental tower) will excite you if you’ve never been to southern India or Singapore.

5. Sacred Heart Cathedral

0.73 MILES

Founded in the 19th century, this is Mandalay's main Catholic church. It has some historical charm from the colonial period, and is a good place to meet…

6. Fire Lookout Tower

0.73 MILES

This former fire-lookout tower sits next to the main Mandalay fire station. Unfortunately, it can't be climbed.

7. Culture Museum

0.78 MILES

Within the palace complex, this small, neglected museum holds poorly displayed relics gleaned from the old Burmese royal family. The most intriguing…

8. Mandalay Palace

0.79 MILES

The 1990s reconstruction of Mandalay's royal palace features more than 40 timber buildings constructed to resemble the 1850s originals. Climb the curious…