Amarapura, Myanmar, is renowned for its silk weaving

King Mindon of Konbaung dynasty founded the city in 1857. Mandaly was the last capital of the Myanmar Kings and the centre of culture and of many traditional arts. Mandalay is known for ivory and wood carvings , silk weaving and many other cottage industries. Mandalay presents fabulous scenes that are typical of their own.
A popular place to go is Mandalay Hill. Situated a couple of hundred meters above town, it offers an excellent view over the city. There are four staircases, one from each direction. A road leads part-way up to an escalator to the top. Today, it is the second largest city boasting its rich cultural heritage. The new airport of Mandalay has been officially opened on 17 September 2000. It is located about 37 km south-west of the city.