Mandalay Palace

About this place

Mandalay Palace is the last royal palace of the Burmese kings, in the city of Mandalay inside a walled fort surrounded by a wide moat. It stands at the centre of the fort facing east, and all its buildings are one storey high, with the number of spires above each showing its importance. It is the city's chief symbol and the main sight for visitors, in red with gold decoration. It was built between 1857 and 1859 when King Mindon founded his new capital. It was the main residence of King Mindon and King Thibaw, the last two kings of the country. Its role ended in 1885, when British forces entered and took the royal family. Most of it was destroyed in the Second World War, with only the royal mint and watch tower surviving, and a replica was built in the 1990s. You enter a wide green yard lined with red buildings with tiered roofs, the finest being the great hall with its tall gold spire. Inside are red and gold columns and a decorated throne. It is worth climbing the round red watch tower for a view over the whole complex. From Mandalay Hill you see the square moat and the mass of green trees hiding it. Kuthodaw Pagoda is about 2 km away in a straight line. The earthquake of 28 March 2025 damaged parts of the palace, so ask what is open. The fort is a military area, so enter only by the gate set aside for foreigners, and take no photos outside the palace. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to this area, so read the current advice before you plan.