Mandalay Morning Sightseeing Trip with a Small Group

Meet at 8am and take a drive through Mandalay, an attractive, low-rise city that still feels more like a big village than a city. Our first stop will be the old teak monastery of Shwe Inn Pin, which stands out in this area because it is one of the few structures not made with gold. Admire impressive works of Burmese art and intricate wood carvings, and learn about the 30 monks that call the monastery home.

After viewing images of Buddha at Shwe Inn Pin, prepare to meet the god himself (well, almost) at Mahanyatmuni, the grandest pagoda in town. Mahanyatumuni is home to one of only five Buddha likenesses made during his lifetime, and this special statue is covered in gold. Locals are encouraged to add some gold leaf of their own to the figure to earn good luck. That statue is now so overloaded with gold leaf that it's starting to lose its shape. Following your visit, check out the kiosks leading up to the main shrine, where you can stop for souvenirs like incense and rosary beads and also sample some of the tasty street food snacks. Then head to a gold leaf-making factory to find out how this unique substance is made. 

More incredible architecture and scenery awaits at your next stop as you visit a royal palace sitting in the middle of a nearby lake. Then it’s on to famous Kuthodaw, where you can gaze in wonder at a series of stunning stupas built to house a vast library of tablets inscribed with the sacred scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. You may feel like a 21st-century Indiana Jones, solving ancient riddles hidden within the text of the library's marble tablets.

Then it’s back to the city, where your guide can recommend the very best places in town to sample lunch items like scented broths and spicy noodles.