Morning in Mandalay

Rise early, just before dawn, as many Burmese do and see the sun come up, then head out for a morning spent exploring many of Mandalay’s main sights. See the Mahamuni Pagoda, with its gold-leaf painted Buddha image, more than 3.5 metres high and watch as the monks wash the statue’s face. This is the time that monks, clothed in red robes, also walk along the streets to collect offerings from locals. The morning alms collection is an important part of daily life for the monks and for the Burmese people.  It is the morning time, too, that sees the markets at their most lively, and this tour includes a stop to see people arriving by trishaw or motorbike and shopping for fresh produce, in including flowers, exotic fruits and spices to dried meats and prepared sweets. It’s also a great time to visit to a local tea shop and to try some local noodles- Mandalay is well-known for its mee shay (noodles with pork or chicken and various herbs) and nan gyi thoke (rice noodles with a chicken curry).