The climate is most friendly for international travellers at this time of the year in Mandalay.

IF you have the urge to visit Mandalay, where the last dynasty of Myanmar kings ruled, you will certainly need to devote a couple of days at minimum to look around because there are many places to explore.

Though Mandalay is in a dry region, at this time of year the climate is at its most friendly and the heat during the day is far from extreme, while the night air is cool and relaxing.

To get around the city all you need is a bicycle or trishaw – both of which are freely and cheaply available.

One of the city’s premier tourist attractions is the Golden Palace, which is ringed by an enormous moat and has imposing red-brick walls. Behind these intimidating walls lies the Golden Palace that has so many glorious and decorative rooms that an unsuspecting tourist could easily get lost.

Not far from the palace is Mandalay Hill, which rises above the bustling and dusty city. Mandalay Hill is a challenging climb but don’t despair if you’re less than completely fit – taxis will happily ferry their charges to just below the summit and there is an elevator that goes right to the top; although it’s far more entertaining and fulfilling to climb the thousands yourself.

The hill is the perfect answer to a day of travelling the city’s streets because it’s generally quiet and the sunset views are stunning.

But before you make the climb it’s worth checking out the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Kutho Taw Pagoda and Sandar Muni Pagoda, all of which are clustered in close proximity to the base of the hill.

Kyauktawgyi Pagoda is home to the world’s second-largest alabaster Buddha image and was built by King Mindon. Kutho Taw Pagoda, meanwhile, is often called the “world’s biggest book” because of its 729 stone slabs which comprise the Buddhist canon.

Not far from Kutho Taw is Atumashi Kyaung (the Incomparable Monastery) which was built by King Mindon in honour of King Tharyarwadi, and the Golden Palace monastery, where King Mindon and Chief Queen Setkyadevi spent most of their happy married life. There you can almost feel the royal fingerprints as you wander about.

Another place that you should be added to the “must visit” category is the Maha Muni Pagoda.

This impressively large pagoda was transported by King Bodawpaya to the present site in the year 1146 and is always crowded with local and foreign visitors.

Another site that regularly draws visitors is Amarapura, some 11 kilometres from Mandalay. There you can enjoy the breeze as you walk the famous U Pain Bridge, the longest wooden bridge in Myanmar, and traverse the varied on-site pagodas. The town is famous for the traditional clothing sometimes worn by the people who live there.

A half-day trip from Mandalay that also cannot be missed is a ferry ride across the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun.

Some 7 miles (11 kilometres) upriver from Mandalay, some of the sites at Mingun are sure to take your breath away, especially the Mingun Pagoda. This enormous brick structure defies perception and climbing onto its lofty heights provides an exciting view over the river and surrounding areas.

Nearby lies the 200-year-old Mingun Bell, the world’s largest hung and uncracked chiming bell.

An hour’s drive by car from Mandalay is Inwa – an artificially created island in the Ayeyarwaddy – that houses Me Nu’s brick monastery and the Bagaya monastery.

Further afield but certainly worth the effort is the township of Pyin Oo Lwin, which is some two hour’s drive. Pyin Oo Lwin is 3000 feet above sea level and offers a plethora of sites for tourists.

Just outside the township there are waterfalls (some require a trek to reach) and awesome botanical gardens to traipse through. Within the township there are colonial-era houses built by the former British occupiers.

In mid-December there will be a flower festival at the gardens where people will be able to see all manner of lilies, tulips and orchids.

Mandalay might not be the world’s most exciting city but with some careful planning there are options available for every taste.