Mandalay Hill

The hill overlooking Mandalay is the site of several temples, and can be reached by covered staircases that approach from each direction. Along the steps are small stalls at which you can buy just about anything, including machine guns (!). It is a pilgrimage site, but for some Westerners is most famous for the WWII battle when the British and particularly a Gurkha regiment, charged the hill with great losses to take the city and eventually the country from the Japanese. At the top is a mirrored pavilion with several shrines.