I really love cities that have a unique, charming atmosphere all over the place - the cities that feel like one big attraction, no matter where you are. It's way better than those places where you see only a few tourist spots just to tick them off the list.
Mandaly is one of those cities where you can just feel the amazing touch of royal splendor and the beautiful charm in the air, everywhere. Very few western tourists, no con artist, no hustlers. Well, there's also a dark side to it - the ubiquitous pollution, but let's focus on the positive side.
We spent only one and a half days in Mandalay but it felt like we had seen enough and explored the city well - not only the temples but also ordinary places where local people go about with their lives. It's an easy city to walk around - but if you're too tired, hailing a taxi won't break the bank. Just be careful of stray dogs - they seem to walk in packs in some places and can get aggressive. Take a look at what you can see and expect in Mandaly, besides the main Pagodas described below, you'll see many other, smaller, virtually at every corner.#nationalpark