Mogok, the valley of Rubies is located in Northern Mandalay. During King Pindale's ruling from 1648 to 1661, a villager called Nga Mouk found a large ruby with the most intense color and clarity, which is a rare find for rubies. The 80 carat ruby was gifted to the King in Myanmar, ruby is called "padamyar" and these stones have the finest hue of red that experts call as "pigeon's blood". Most of the world's rubies are mined in Mogok and exported to other countries.

Mogok has been famous for centuries for its gemsones (including pigeon's blood rubies and blue sapphires that have been cited in ancient Myanmar literature), as well as a dazzling array of semi-precious stones including lapis lazuli, garnet, moonstone, amethyst, peridot and chrysoberyl. Rare stones such as painite, hibbonite, and poudrettenite are found only in Mogok and a few other gem localities.

Like many other traditions preserved in Myanmar, mining in Mogok today involves little to no mechanization and is base on intensive use of manual labour, concentrated on hillside deposits, through open trenches, deep pits, or through excavating tunnels directly into the limestone. A number of bustling ruby markets, including Panchan and Aungchanther markets, can be found in the center of town (note that gems sold in markets in Mogok can only be purchased government licensed dealers).

Located in Mandalay Division and bordering Shan State, the Mogok area hosts a diverse ethnic population, including Myanmar, Shan, Lisu, Palaung and Karen ethnic groups, as well as Chinese, Indians and Gurkhas (descendants of a Nepalese group).

As spectacular as the gemstones of Mogok are the town's lake and the pagoda-covered mountains surrounding the city. The golden stupas of Phaung Daw Oo and Paw Daw Mu pagodas, associated with the famous monk as Mogok Sayadaw, can be found strewn atop sharp inlines on Daw Nan Kyi mountain. The tranquil Mogok Lake can be found adjacent to the city, and there is also a little-known World War II veteran cemetery that is located just outside of town.

Please note that foreigners traveling to Mogok must apply for a permit and be accompanied by a tour guide.