Mandalay

Myanmar's second-largest city and the last royal capital before the British annexation of 1885, Mandalay sits on the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy River in the central dry zone. The Royal Palace — partially reconstructed after its near-total destruction in World War II — occupies a walled and moated compound at the city centre, while the surrounding region contains significant religious sites including the Mahamuni Pagoda with its thickly gilded standing Buddha. The city is an important centre for traditional crafts including lacquerware, marionette carving, silk weaving, and gold-leaf beating.