Mandalay Hill
မန္တလေးတောင်
A sacred hill about 240 meters high. A covered stairway leads up to the summit, where the Sutaungpyei Pagoda offers views of the palace moat and the sunset over the Irrawaddy River.
Mandalay Hill is considered sacred because legend has it that the Buddha climbed it and prophesied that a city would be founded here. The city takes its name from the hill. The south slope has a covered stairway about 1 hour's climb barefoot, passing temples and a “prophecy Buddha” statue that points toward the palace. You can also take a car to near the summit and then ride an escalator. The Sutaungpyei Pagoda at the top is inlaid with colored glass. From the terrace you can see the square palace walls and the Irrawaddy River. At sunset, monks often gather to practice English with visitors. You must climb barefoot, and foreign visitors pay a camera fee. Some structures were damaged in the March 2025 earthquake, so check locally for current opening status.
Opening hours
Approx. 04:00–22:00
Nearby sights
- Kyauktawgyi Pagoda (Mandalay)
- Kuthodaw Pagoda
- Sandamuni Pagoda
- Atumashi Monastery
- Shwenandaw Monastery
- Mandalay Palace
- Mandalay Marionettes Theatre
- Zegyo Market