General Information
Location
Mandalay is situated about 600 kilometers north
of Yangon on the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is Myanmar's
second largest city. Located in the Mandalay
Division, it is the Capital. Mandalay is one of the
largest cities in the country. It is also the major
trading and communications center in northern and
central Myanmar and is linked by rail with other
large Myanmar cities. Mandalay is surrounded by its
ancient neighboring cities as Mingun, Sagaing, Innwa
(Ava), and Amarapura.
Culture
Mandalay is the historical old capital, a capital
of Myanmar culture, Buddhist Sasana and Myanmar
traditional arts and crafts, with the life span of
one hundred and forty two years, a city that abounds
in historical sites, cultural memorials and Buddhist
edifices. Accordingly, it is the richest historical
landmark next to Bagan. Despite the wonderful sound
of its name, inviting associations to an archaic
fairy tale kingdom, Mandalay is neither very old nor
particularly beautiful. But Mandalay was the capital
of the last, independent Burmese kingdom, which in
1886 was finally conquered by British colonial
forces.
Buddhism
Mandalay is a cultural and religious center of
Buddhism, having many monasteries, famous temples
and more than 700 pagodas of great beauty. The
Mandalay hill, the Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image is
the ideal descriptions of Buddhism. Mandalay houses
at least a third of the nation's 150,000 monks and
nuns.
Shopping
Mandalay is full of variety to do shopping. The
new Mandalay Zaycho is the main market place in
Mandalay. You can get almost anything from there.
Things to shop are Acheik (Mandalay Silk Longyi),
Cotton clothing, Hto Moat (greasy cakes), Laphet
(Pickled tea leaves), Kadipar slippers (Velvet
Slippers), Silverware, Lacquerware, Jewelry, gems
and more.
Entertainment
Mandalay is a busy city which is the central
trade centre of Myanmar. There are cinema halls,
beauty salons, spas and karaoke lounge in the most
populated part of the city. There are also many
well-known astrologers and palmist in this city.
Food
Mandalay is a city with great historical hritage.
Many traditional food can be tasted in this city.
Media
The city dwellers can enjoy listening to the
radio progammes broadcast by M.B.S and watching the
TV channels of MRTV and the Myawaddy. The newspapers
the Light of Myanmar and Kye Mon are published and
distributed by the presses of Mandalay for Upper
Myanmar.
City Development
Mandalay City Development Committee has organized
Public Relations and Information Department, and has
been increasing the momentum for the progress of the
information media. Mandalay Daily is published as
the Mandalay-centred, Upper Myanmar supporting media
and representative media of the State. The Mandalay
Daily Press is situated on 29th road between 73rd
road and 74th road. Through this press media, the
State Policies, and feature articles, as well as the
objectives, performances, activities, information
and feature articles about M.C.D.C, are presented to
the public unfailingly and in time.
The Mandalay City Development Committee has
published the pamphlets, namely, Mandalay City
Profile, Mandalay City Map and Welcome to the Golden
Palace City, which will inform the foreign visitors
about interesting facts and functions of Mandalay.
It is a press media which will send good news
through foreign visitors to the World. Moreover,
Mandalay Directory is published in both Myanmar and
English Versions annually, which contain information
about Mandalay City Map, offices, departments,
organizations, factories and industries, companies,
stores, markets and hospitals and clinics,
businesses, location and phone numbers. |
