Myanmar: Mandalay – Shwenandaw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery)

The Shwenandaw Kyaung or Golden Palace Monastery is a temple in Mandalay made entirely out of teak wood with some of the most elaborate wood carvings depicting Burmese religious scenes. Built in 1880, the palace building was heavily gilted with gold leaf and covered with mosaic. But it’s the woodcarvings that are truly incredible here – detailed figurines adorn all the rooftops, door and window frames, walls and stairs.