During the 19th century, Mandalay was the capital of Burma’s last independent kingdom. Today it reigns as Myanmar’s centre of Buddhist learning and Burmese culture, and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. 

The city is located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, approximately 350 miles north of Myanmar’s current capital, Yangon. Known as the 'City of Gems,’ due to its proximity to gem-mining areas and its prominence in gem trading, the city is strategically situated on important river routes from India and China, and land routes from Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. This is a city of monasteries as well as markets, and Mandalay boasts a number of significant historic sights that well merit seeing.