the moat surrounding mandalay palace, mandalay hill in distance

mandalay hill

mandalay palace. the only place we were allowed inside the moat.

mandalay palace grounds

atumashi kyaung temple

the local dress. long skirts worn by men and women are known as longyis.

looking down on the palace grounds

a variety of local dress.

a puppet souvenir shop - puppeteering is a common artform in this country.

shwe kyaung pagoda has displays of intricate woodcarvings.

temple dog at scwe kyaung pagoda.

wood carvings at shwe kyaung pagoda.

wood carvings at shwe kyaung pagoda.

puppets for sale

casino buddha

all over burma buddha's had flashing light halos.

kids hanging out at kuthodaw pagoda, known for the 'largest book in the world.'

world's biggest book at kuthodaw pagoda.

each of the 729 marble stone 'pages' that make up this book are kept in one of this mini temples. literally, the largest book.

each of these contains 1 page.

a sample page

stupas at sandu mani pagoda

sandu mani pagoda

view from mandalay hill

people of burma wear what resembles facepaint known as thenaka, used to prevent sunburns.