The best about Mandalay is not the city itself but the way to reach the it from Hsipaw. The train connection between the two cities is one of most beautiful rides you can experience in the country. At first you travel through an astouding green landscape, with crops and buffalos in the background, and then through the famous Goteik Viaduct, the highest bridge in Myanmar and when it was completed, the largest railway trestle in the world. It connects the towns of Pyin Oo Lwin and Lashio since its opening in 1900. At the moment, it is not the most convenient mean of transportation from and to Mandalay, about 13-14 hours ride, but it is certainly the most beautiful. From Hsipaw, we took the train until Pyin Oo Lwin and from there a taxi, that costed 5000 MMK (3 EUR) per person. It was the fastest way, 1,5 hours, to arrive in Mandalay after already seeing the bridge.
I didn't prepare any article about Mandalay, since I didn't visit anything specifically in the city. There are two main landmarks for tourists - the Mandalay's Palace and the Hill. The Mandalay Hill is a 240m hill that is located northeast of the city centre and from where the city took its name. The panoramic view is supposed to be quite astonishing and romantic. As for the palace, I only heard bad things about it and therefore I didn't go. Tourists pay an entrance fee but they are not allowed to see the whole complex as it is partly closed to visitation.
Next Stop: Bangkok / Ko Tao, Thailand
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