Rudyard Kipling famously wrote about the Road to Mandalay but I decided to take the train to see more of the countryside and enjoy the experience, train journeys seem to bring people together when travelling. I wasn’t disappointed with my choice as there was a whole wealth of images to be taken from the rickety open windowed train.

After the serenity of Bagan arriving in Myanmar’s second largest city Mandalay was a shock to the senses as it is an extremely busy city with lots of traffic and only a few traffic lights. I couldn’t find a taxi in this motorbike city so I ended up getting a motorbike taxi from the train station to my hotel, which was fun and scary at the same time (see photo of luggage!)

Mandalay is a religious centre and home to half of Burma’s Buddhist monks and nuns, it also has many skilled artisans and has many iconic bridges. Nearby to Mandalay also lie the three ancient capitals of Amarapura, Inwa and Sagaing with their many temples and monasteries.

After unpacking my bags I was straight out photographing Mandalay and its surrounds, which did not disappoint as there was so much to photograph around this busy vibrant city.

Join me next week for my final destination Nyaung Shwe and the incredible Inle Lake home to the extraordinary leg
rowers.

Written by guest blogger Stephen Studd
www.stephenstuddphotography.com
www.digitalphotographyholidays.com