Travel advisory: The US government advises against all travel to Myanmar, and the UK advises against all but essential travel to Mandalay and against all travel to Sagaing and the area north of the city. Fighting, drone attacks, curfews and internet shutdowns continue, and many sites were damaged in the March 2025 earthquake. Check the US State Department and UK FCDO before making any plans.

Bus Tours in Mandalay

Group bus and minibus tours have historically run a full-day circuit of Mandalay’s main sights. No operator or route can be confirmed as running, and tourism services are heavily disrupted.

What such tours covered

• City sights: the palace grounds, Shwenandaw Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Mahamuni Pagoda. All of these were affected to some degree by the March 2025 earthquake, and access is unconfirmed.
• Sagaing Hill: sometimes added for river views. It lies in Sagaing Region, where the UK advises against all travel.

Practical points that applied before

Tours usually left from central hotels, and guides explained the history of each site. Roads are affected by checkpoints, curfews and fuel shortages. Travel insurers commonly decline cover for destinations governments advise against, so confirm in writing with any operator what is covered. Hot weather and exposed pagoda platforms made sun protection and water essential.