A misty backdrop adds mystery to an image of Mandalay Palace.

NEARLY all tourists, no matter where they travel, take photographs to document their journey and the lifestyles of the people they meet along the way.

Myanmar is rich in the type of beautiful scenery and colourful culture that make perfect subjects for photography, and Mandalay in particular is full of landmarks worthy of committing to film or digital memory.

My father – a veteran photographer who has captured many prize-winning images – once told me that the best time to take pictures of the palace and the sunset from Mandalay Hill was during March and April, when the sun can be seen in full.

This is because, I later discovered, during the winter and monsoon seasons mists and rain clouds often obscure the sun, making conditions for photography less than optimal.

But those visiting during other months can still get good pictures. Pointing a camera west from the top of the hill any time of the year can result in tantalizing bird’s-eye images of the palace walls, the Ayeyarwaddy River and the mountains beyond.

During July and August, late afternoon clouds can add to the majesty of Mandalay’s sunsets, while from November to February the city is frequently shrouded in mist as if it were high in the mountains.

One of the best places to photograph the sunrise is from 80th Street. From there it is possible to take pictures that include toddy palm trees, the wall and moat of Mandalay Palace, and Mandalay Hill.

The paddy fields on the eastern outskirts of the city – with farmers and cows in the foreground, and the Kywenapha and Yankin mountains serving as a beautiful backdrop – can be particularly picturesque during the misty season.

Another site that photographers should not miss is U Bein’s Bridge and Taungthaman Lake south of the city. Winter mists add drama to the scene, while monsoon rains bring higher waters. During the summer much of the water dries up, and oxen carts can be photographed passing under the bridge.