Amarapura Myanmar
Myanmar
Frequently Asked Questions
Against the bank of the Irrawaddy, for a morning or an afternoon. Amarapura sits just south of Mandalay and sightseeing is done by vehicle from the mooring.
A teak bridge roughly 1.2 kilometres long crossing Taungthaman Lake, built around the middle of the nineteenth century from timber salvaged from a former palace. It is said to be the longest teak structure in the world.
About twenty minutes end to end at an unhurried pace, longer if you stop at the shelters spaced along it. Every span gives a different angle on the lake.
Yes, at Mahagandayon monastery, one of the country's largest centres of Buddhist study with more than a thousand monks and novices. Late in the morning they gather in silence for the only solid meal of the day; visitors are welcome provided they stand back and keep their voices down.
That is what its name means. Founded in 1783 by King Bodawpaya, it served twice as capital of the Burmese kingdom before yielding the title to Mandalay.
No. The wooden palaces were dismantled and moved, as custom required. What remains are whitewashed pagodas, a few stretches of wall and monasteries of brick and stucco.
Yes, it remains a major weaving centre. In workshops open to the street, wooden looms clatter from morning to night producing the silk longyis worn at weddings; some patterns take two weavers several weeks.
The U Bein bridge first, then Mahagandayon monastery if the timing matches the monks' meal, and a weaving workshop. The old royal city can then be toured by vehicle or bicycle.
Late afternoon, when the figures crossing it stand out against the light. Small boats take passengers onto the lake to watch the comings and goings from the water.
Shoulders and knees covered, and shoes that come off easily: monasteries and pagodas are walked barefoot.
