Former capital of Burma, Mandalay is a must on any tour of Burma. There are plenty of fascinating sights around Mandalay including the impressive rock carved pagoda at Mingun, picturesque Sagaing monasteries and the former Royal cities of Ava and Amarapura. Mandalay itself is Burma’s second largest city, the cultural centre of the country and has some impressive sights of its own, including Mandalay Hill and the Shwenandaw Pagoda. Mandalay is also the best place in Myanmar to do some handicraft shopping.