Mandalay Division is situated on the eastern bank of Irrawaddy River and in central Myanmar. Mandalay is second largest city of Myanmar. Within the city boundaries are Mandalay Fort, Mandalay Hill with its numerous pagodas and Myanmar cultural shows, such as troupes and traditional kickboxing. Mandalay is a cultural and religious centre of Buddhism, having many monasteries and more than 700 pagodas of great beauty. The Palace, moat, walls and monasteries of the last Konbaung Kings have been restored. Mandalay Hill, Maha Myatmuni pagoda, Zegyo market, are some of its attractions.

Built in 1850, Mandalay was the capital of the independent Kingdom of Burma until it was captured by the British in 1885, after which it was the headquarters, known as Fort Dufferin of Upper Burma. It was captured by the Japanese in 1942. With the formation of the Union of Burma, the city became the capital of Mandalay Division in 1948.

The four ancient cities of Amarapura, Ava, Sagamg, and Mgun offer a fascinating look into Myanmar's past. Maymyo, an original Shan Damu village and a British hill station, is picturesque and home to a thriving sweater trade. Mount Popa, 1,518 m, is the centre of a now-extinct volcano in the middle of a fertile plane.

Bagan and Nyaung-Oo, the legendary land of four million Pagodas, now only 2,210, is recognized as the archaeological treasure of the world, the Abode of Nats, a scenic spot and a resort with Kyetmauktaung Dam and close by the hill resort and city of flowers of Pyin Oo Lyin. Mogoke, the famed Ruby Land with gem mines and markets. Amarapura, a weaving city where colourful silk dresses are woven with over a hundred shuttles. Historically, Tagaung was the first capital of Myanmar and located 204 km up river.