Mandalay Hill

The hot season in central Myanmar is no joke. Temperatures from February to May will reach above 40 degrees celsius (~105 degrees Fahrenheit) just about every day. If you’re in Mandalay in the hot season, only attempt Mandalay Hill around dawn or dusk, which also lets you enjoy the sunrise or sunset.

You’ll be required to take your shoes off for at least part of the climb. During the hot season, in the hot part of the day or just after, this can actually be quite painful to walk on unshaded areas. In the wet season, it can get quite slippery. If you’re taking the alternative stairways, the surfaces might hurt at times if you’re required to take your shoes off (to be confirmed).

Mandalay Hill is a safe place to be. The only real hazards are the public restrooms, which can be quite unsanitary. Also, don’t buy water bottles that have had their cap seals broken.

All are welcome in Mandalay Hill, but women are required to cover shoulders and knees, preferably with an ankle-length shawl or longgyi. You may be required to pay a 1,000 MMK fee for bringing a camera up the mountain. As in all Bhuddist places of worship, you will not be permitted to wear shoes. You should be able to leave them at the entrance of the holy areas, and sometimes check them into a guarded locker.

Police: 199
Ambulance: 192
Fire: 191

Note: Mandalay Hill is usually full of people, and Myanmar people are invariably willing to help others in trouble.

Mandalay airport is about a 1-hour drive to the south of Mandalay Hill. Taxis from the airport can be easy, so long as you get out of the airport before they’re all taken. If you plan to get held up, such as by getting a visa on arrival, it is best to arrange a taxi in advance.

Other than the 1,000 MMK camera fee, payment should not be required to enjoy Mandalay hill.

Note: It is traditional for monks to request alms from the public, but solitary older monks or small packs of more assertive child monks are likely to be imposters.

Mandalay Hill is not a challenging hike, and is absolutely amateur-friendly. Unless you have an injury, you are not likely to have troubles.

Special tip for climbers with a disability: When the elevators are working, the Mandalay Hill summit can be reached by wheelchair. However, there are still a 4 steps before the elevator that some will need assistance with, and the elevator closes at 6pm (this is usually just before sunset, unfortunately). Also, most of the railings will block the view when seated, so the full panorama may be difficult to glimpse if you aren’t able to stand.

Advanced climbers won’t get any thrills on Mandalay Hill. If you’re after a physical challenge, try running up the road, or up one of the alternative stairways from the North of West.

As with most Bhuddist sites, women are required to dress with a top that covers the shoulders, and a skirt/pants that cover the knees (of course, the spaces in between shoulders and knees should be covered too)

There should be no problems for women’s personal safety. Although Mandalay Hill is a popular hangout for groups of young men, and this generally means that there is the potential for loutish behaviour, it is very unlikely to turn aggressive. 

Being a religious site, you should be on your best behaviour, and be respectful of people’s customs and traditions. But there are local customs you should also observe to be sure not to cause offence:  

1. Remove shoes before entering holy places, when directed to, or when other people are doing so.
2. Dress with shoulders and knees covered (particularly for women).
3. Be careful not to have the soles of your feet pointed towards holy sites or people (and especially not monks or nuns).
4. Don’t try to touch monks, even on their robes.
5. Don’t give money or sweets to other people’s children.
6. Don’t take people’s photos without asking.
7. Don’t touch people’s heads (or hug or shake hands with women).
8. Don’t disturb people in prayer or meditation.
9. Avoid kissing or showing other public displays of affection.
10. Although it won’t necessarily cause offence, please don’t purchase products derived from parts of wild animals.

It is possible to run up and down Mandalay Hill on the summit access road, but this is not a trail run. You may be able to run the Northern trail too. It may be the case that you can link up the access road trail with the Northern trail, and loop back around on the road to the east, but you may need to take your runners off and slow down for at least part of this circuit. Please email us if you have a good trail plotted out.

Apart from the occasional bird, Mandalay hill offers little to the nature lover.