Quick answerMandalay is a city in Myanmar, with 1,225,553 people inside the city limits in 2014. It is best known for the Mandalay Hill, the U Bein Bridge and the Kuthodaw Pagoda. Its official language is Burmese, and its currency is the Myanmar kyat.
Mandalay is Myanmar's second-largest city, with about 1.2 million people (1,225,553 in the 2014 census). It stands on the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar and is the economic centre of Upper Myanmar and the heart of Burmese culture.
Key facts
| Country | Myanmar |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 1,225,553 (2014) |
| Elevation | 22 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Asia/Yangon |
| Language | Burmese |
| Currency | Myanmar kyat (MMK, K) |
| Coordinates | 21.9831° N, 96.0844° E |
Overview
Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar, after Yangon, on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar. The city had 1,225,553 residents in the 2014 census, and it sits 22 metres above sea level, about 631 kilometres north of Yangon. It is the capital of Mandalay Region.
Mandalay was founded in 1857 by King Mindon, replacing Amarapura as the new royal capital of the Konbaung dynasty. It was Burma's final royal capital before the kingdom's annexation by the British Empire in 1885. Its landmarks include Mandalay Hill, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble slabs are called the world's largest book, the Mahamuni Buddha Temple, the reconstructed Mandalay Palace, and the teak U Bein Bridge at nearby Amarapura.
Today Mandalay is the economic centre of Upper Myanmar and is considered the centre of Burmese culture. It is a trading hub with China, and a continuing influx of immigrants from Yunnan since the late 20th century has reshaped its ethnic makeup and increased its commerce with China.
What Mandalay is known for
- Mandalay Hill
- U Bein Bridge
- Kuthodaw Pagoda
- Mahamuni Buddha Temple
- Mandalay Palace
- Burmese culture
Landmarks
- Mandalay Hill
- U Bein Bridge
- Kuthodaw Pagoda
- Mahamuni Buddha Temple
- Mandalay Palace
- Shwenandaw Monastery
- Mandalay Marionettes Theatre
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mandalay?
About 1.2 million people live in Mandalay (1,225,553 in the 2014 census). That makes Mandalay the second-largest city in Myanmar, after Yangon, and the economic centre of Upper Myanmar.
What is Mandalay famous for?
Mandalay is famous as the centre of Burmese culture and as the country's last royal capital, founded in 1857 by King Mindon. It is known for Mandalay Hill, the U Bein Bridge at Amarapura, the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble slabs, and the Mahamuni Buddha Temple.
Where is Mandalay located?
Mandalay is in central Myanmar, on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, about 631 kilometres north of Yangon. It is the capital of Mandalay Region and sits 22 metres above sea level. Its coordinates are 21.98° N, 96.08° E, and its time zone is Myanmar Standard Time.
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Keep exploring
- Myanmar — the country Mandalay is in
- Yangon — another city in Myanmar
- Naypyidaw — another city in Myanmar
- Bago — another city in Myanmar
- All cities in Myanmar
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.