Travel advisory · MyanmarGovernments advise against all travel to Myanmar.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Border areas with neighbouring countries · avoid all travel · Italy, US
- Chin State · avoid all travel · Spain, France, Italy, UK, US
- East of Bago region · avoid all travel · France, UK
- Kachin State · avoid all travel · France, UK, US
- Kayah State · avoid all travel · Spain, France, UK, US
- Kayin State · avoid all travel · Spain, France, UK, US
- Magway Region · avoid all travel · Spain, France, Italy, UK, US
- Rakhine State · avoid all travel · Spain, France, UK, US
- Sagaing Region · avoid all travel · Spain, France, Italy, UK, US
- Mandalay Region · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, UK, US
- Mon State · avoid non-essential travel · UK, US
- Shan State · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, US
Also named by one government: Mon State, excluding Mawlamyine city (France), Most of Shan State (France), North Mandalay Region (townships north of Mandalay City and Pyin Oo Lwin) (UK), North Tanintharyi (to Myeik and southern border strip) (France), Paletwa area (Chin State) (Italy), Pekon, Hopong and Hsipeng townships (France), Shan State North (UK), Tanintharyi Region, excluding Myeik township, archipelago and townships south of Tanintharyi township (UK), Ayeyarwady townships (Kyangin, Myanaung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Thabaung, Pathein) (UK), Rest of Bago region (UK), Shan State South and East (UK), Tanintharyi Region (US), Tanintharyi Region south of Tanintharyi township (UK), Yangon (New Zealand)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 4: Do Not Travel | May 8, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen nach Myanmar wird gewarnt (Reisewarnung) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel (except Yangon) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Avoid travel unless imperative outside the red zones (rest of the country) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Mandalay
Mandalay is Myanmar’s second-largest city and its last royal capital. Travelers come for its Buddhist sites, traditional crafts and views from Mandalay Hill.
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Mandalay is Myanmar’s second-largest city, on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River in Upper Myanmar. King Mindon founded it in 1857 as the last royal capital of the Konbaung dynasty. Today, it is a centre of Buddhist learning and Burmese culture. At Mahamuni Buddha Temple, the early-morning face-washing ritual draws crowds of devotees. Kuthodaw Pagoda has 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Tipitaka. A motor road climbs Mandalay Hill, about 230 metres above the city, for views over Mandalay and the countryside. Shwenandaw Monastery is known for its wood carvings, and the palace grounds include a model of the palace and the Nanmyint watch tower.
Mandalay’s traditional crafts include silk weaving, jade cutting and gold leaf beating. Try Mandalay mont-ti or fried peas, and visit U Bein Bridge in nearby Amarapura, a popular sunset spot. Pyin Oo Lwin is a popular day trip, with trains running from Mandalay. The dry season lasts from about November through April; April is the hottest month, averaging about 32 °C. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on 28 March 2025 and damaged heritage sites. Check current access before travelling.
Mandalay in five
- Check site access after the earthquakeThe 28 March 2025 earthquake damaged heritage sites, including Mahamuni and Mandalay Palace’s walls. Check current access before travelling.
- Visit Mandalay’s marketsZegyo is a large wholesale market, and Mahaaungmyay is a major jade and gemstone trading point.
- Dress respectfully at pagodasMandalay has more than 700 pagodas and many monasteries. Dress and behave respectfully at religious sites.
- Expect busy trafficThere is no metro, and Mandalay’s old trams have been withdrawn. Locals mainly use bicycles, motorbikes and buses; traffic is chaotic.
- Plan a trip to Pyin Oo LwinThe historic hill station is a popular day trip, and trains run there from Mandalay. Check current train schedules before setting out.
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry season
- FebruaryDry season
- MarchDry season
- AprilHottest month
- MayWet season
- JuneWet season
- JulyWet season
- AugustWet season
- SeptemberWet season
- OctoberWet season ends
- NovemberDry season
- DecemberDry season
Right now in Mandalay
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 39%
Mandalay
04:27 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today35°27°39%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 35°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Wed33°27°57%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 33°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Thu34°26°37%Thursday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Fri35°27°33%Friday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sat33°25°69%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun30°24°97%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
Updated 02:29 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,102 MMK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Amarapuranear MandalayVisit U Bein Bridge, a teakwood bridge popular at sunset.
- Pyin Oo Lwintrain from MandalayA historic hill station above Mandalay, with train service from the city.
Before you go to Mandalay
Rules for Mandalay, checked
- Check visa and entry requirements for your passport with Myanmar’s official authorities before booking.
- Check current access to Mandalay’s heritage sites before visiting; the 28 March 2025 earthquake damaged several sites.
- Dress and behave respectfully at pagodas and monasteries.
Plan around Mandalay
Mandalay has buses, motorbikes and bicycles; there is no metro.
Read the guideVisas and entryCheck entry requirements for your passport before travel.
Read the guideMoney and costsPlan how to pay and manage money in Myanmar.
Read the guideWhere to stayChoose a base for your Mandalay visit.
Read the guideMandalay FAQ
How many days do you need in Mandalay?
Allow time for Mandalay’s pagodas and monasteries, Mandalay Hill and the palace grounds. Add a day for Amarapura or Pyin Oo Lwin.
Is Mandalay worth visiting?
Mandalay is a destination for Buddhist sites, royal history and traditional crafts. Check access before you go: the 28 March 2025 earthquake damaged heritage sites.
What is Mandalay known for?
Mandalay is known for Buddhist sites such as Mahamuni Buddha Temple and Kuthodaw Pagoda, with its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Tipitaka. It is also a centre for jade and gem trading and traditional crafts.
What is the best time to visit Mandalay?
The dry season runs from about November through April. January is the mildest month, averaging about 22 °C; April is the hottest, averaging about 32 °C.
How do you get around Mandalay?
Locals mainly use bicycles, motorbikes and buses. There is no metro, and the old trams have been withdrawn. Traffic is chaotic.
Can you visit Pyin Oo Lwin from Mandalay?
Yes. Pyin Oo Lwin, a historic hill station above Mandalay, is a popular day trip, and trains run there. Check the current schedule before travelling.