Mandalay, the 2nd largest city is regarded as the cultural heart of Myanmar. Mandalay was founded in 1857 by King Mindon; it was dismantled from Amarapura as the capital. The city has a great historical importance with buildings as the Royal Palace, the Mahamuni pagoda and Kuthodaw Pagoda Complex but also well known for its craft industry like wood, marble, bronze carving, gold-leaves beating, silk-weaving and production of Marionettes and so forth. With an accessible access on the Irrawaddy and close to China, Mandalay has become an economic trade centre as well as educational hub in upper country.