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In Pictures: Myanmar’s cultural capital

Mandalay is the country’s cultural and religious centre.

The bastion of Mandalay Palace. The palace was the last residence of the last two Burmese monarchs.
By Htoo Tay Zar
Published On 25 Oct 201225 Oct 2012
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Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar, is known as the capital city of Burmese culture. It was founded along the Irrawaddy River bank by King Mindon in 1857. Upon its founding, the city was called “Yadanabon”,  which means “The City of Gems”. The city served as the last royal capital of Burma before the British conquered the city in 1885.

Mandalay is also the centre of Buddhism and has thousands of monasteries. Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is located at the foot of Mandalay Hill, is known as the “world’s largest book” for its 729 stupas with stone slabs inscribed with entire Buddhist canon.

Most residents from Mandalay rely on bicycles, motorcycles and old mini pickup trucks for transportation. 1963 models of small Mazda trucks are still used as taxis around the city because taxes on importing new cars are expensive for most of the citizens. The Irrawaddy River is one of the most important commercial waterway for transporting goods and travelling upper and lower parts of Myanmar.

The city is also known for its small white marble scuptures of Buddha. Dozens of stone and wood workshops are still producing these sculptures in the way it has been done since anciet times.

A young girl with Thanakha - traditional make up to prevent sun burns - on her cheeks sits at the door of Shwenandaw Monastery, where King Mindon died.
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A Burmese man with bicycle passes by a stairway gate to Mandalay Hill, which is known for its abundance of pagodas and monasteries.
A worker chisels marble into a Buddha at a stone workshop. The city(***)s artisans are renown for their skill.
A young monk walk past stupas from Kuthodaw Pagoda, also known as "world(***)s largest book".
A worker carves a Buddhist monk sculpture at a wood carving workshop.
A woman walks on the U Bein bridge - built out of teak - which stretches 1.2 km across Taungthaman Lake.
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A family crosses the Irrawaddy river, an important commercial route, with a rowboat in the evening.
A tuk tuk driver waits for passengers in downtown Mandalay.
Women buy fruits from a vendor at a pagoda festival in Mandalay.


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