Myanmar sees over 400,000 tourists visiting second largest city in 2014

Myanmar's second largest city of Mandalay in the north received more than 400,000 foreign tourists in 2014, revealed the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on Tuesday, predicting a rise to more than 500,000 in 2015.

According to the Mandalay regional immigration authorities, 464, 577 foreign tourists visited the country's cultural hub city during the year, an increase of 60,385 from 2013.

Most of the tourists came from East Asian countries of China, Japan and South Korea, travel agencies said.

The top tourist attractions in Mandalay city include the Maha Muni Buddha Image, Mandalay Hill, Yankin Hill, Taungthaman Lake, Myanmar Sankyaw Golden Palace, Golden Monastery, ancient Inwa City , Kuthodaw Pagoda and Taungthaman Bridge.

Myanmar received 3.05 million tourists in 2014, up 49.5 percent from 2013.

The country's tourism earning hit 1.14 billion U.S. dollars in 2014, breaking the record of previous year's 914 million U.S. dollars.

Statistics also show that foreign investment in the hotels and tourist sector reached 2.157 billion U.S. dollars as of February 2015 after the country opened its door to the world in late 1988.