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Myanmar

Mandalay was the last capital of the Konbaung Dynasty of Imperial Myanmar before the country was annexed by the British in 1886 A.D, thereby exiling King Thibaw to Ratanagiri in India. It is also regarded as the cultural centre of the capital - many artists and artisans make Mandalay their home town. Built alongside the Ayeyarwady River, Mandalay combines Myanmar's royal history with the preservation of spiritual traditions. The royal heritage can be found at the Golden Palace Monastery with its exquisite wood carvings, while the spiritual heart is enshrined at Mahamuni pagoda, housing the most venerated Buddha statue in Mandalay. The large seated image is so greatly revered that layer upon layer of gold leaf, placed as a mark of homage by a ceaseless flow of worshippers, have distorted the true shape of the statue. Only the highly polished face, gazing serenely is untouched.