Amarapura - the City of Immortality, U Bein Bridge, Inwa and Sagaing

See the locations on Mandalay Inwa and Sagaing Google Map

Amarapura comes from Pali, it means "City of Immortality". During the Konboung period (1783-1821 and 1842-1859) it was twice the capital of Myanmar. But then Amapura got victim of mortality: In February 1857 King Mindon began building Mandalay as his new capital, 11 km north of Amarapura. He reused material from Amarapura. The palace buildings were dismantled and moved by elephants to the new location, and the city walls were pulled down. Therefore Amapura today is a township of Mandalay, known for silk and cotton weaving and bronze casting.

But Amapura is also famous for the U Bein Bridge: A 1.2 km long wooden footbridge, the longest teak bridge in the world. It spans the Taungthaman Lake. The bridge on 1086 pillars was built from wood reclaimed from the former royal palace in Inwa. Read: 1000 Amazing Places: U Bein Bridge.

Picture by Greg Walters

Picture by imke.stahlmann
U Bein Bridge

Picture by patrikmloeff

Picture by Andurinha
View from U Bein Bridge

Picture by imke.stahlmann
Wedding on U Bein Bridge

Picture by Mark Abel
U Bein Bridge before 6 am.

Picture by llee_wu
Sunset at U Bein Bridge.

Picture by Stephan Rebernik
Just a moment on U Bein Bridge

Picture by marhas



Kyauktawgyi Pagoda:

Picture by Antoine 49

Picture by Trevor Mills

Picture by Mat Maessen

Picture by Anzoine 49

Picture by Antoine 49

Picture by marhas



Inwa: Formerly Ava, the capital of the Kingdom of Ava. Foundet 1364 here Mjitnge River joins Ayeyarwady River. 1783 King Bodawpaya transfered the capital to Amarapura and let Ava distroy. 1821 his grandson Bagyidaw returned and reconstructed Ava. But in 1841 an earthquake destroyed the city and Amarapura became the capital again. The zigzagged outer walls of Ava are popularly thought to outline the figure of a seated lion.

Bagaya Kyaung: A wooden monastery founded in 1834 by King Mindon, in Innwa.

Picture by Thomas Z H Zhu

Picture by gorbulas_sandybanks

Picture by gorbulas_sandybanks

Picture by gorbulas_sandybanks

Picture by Matt Werner


Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery: Built in 1818. See picture on panoramio.com.

Picture by brussels100

Picture by Anandajoti
The basement

Besides Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery you discover Htilaingshin Paya, a recently restored group of stupas dating back several centuries, some to the Bagan period. See picture by samthetax and ceka01 and viedeo by hotshotmonkey.

Picture by gorbulas_sandybanks


Picture by scotted400
Lilyponds in Inwa


Nanmyin Watchtower: A leaning tower. See picture by Dexters Lab.

Picture by antwerpeneR


Yedanasini Paya:

Picture by chenevier


Chinese Joss House - Kuan Yin Temple: The temple was founded in the 18th century. The original temple was destroyed by firein 1810. What you see today dates from 1847. Pictures by John Meckley.


Kyauksein (Jade) Pagoda: The pagoda made entirely of jade is nearing completion. It includes more than 10000 tonnes of the gemstone and is being built at the junction of Ygn-Mdy Expressway and Sagaing-Myitnge Road at an estimated cost of US$ 10.3 million, reports Myanmar Times. The donator Soe Naing plans to donate the pagoda to the government, reported Eleven.
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Sagaing:

Picture by brussels100
View of Sagaing across Ayeyarwady River

Picture by Anthony Tong Lee
Sagaing Hill


Umin Thounzeh Phaya:

Picture by Tianyake

Picture by Tianyake


Soon U Ponya Shin Phaya:

Picture by Tianyake

Picture by Tianyake

Picture by Tianyake


Kaung Hmu Daw Pagoda: Outstanding this pagoda with egg-shaped design. It has been modeled after the Ruwanwelisaya pagoda of Sri Lanka. The stupa's formal name is Yaza Mani Sula. This signifies Buddhist relics inside its relic chamber. It is said to contain the lower left tooth of the Buddha and 11 hair relics. The construction started in 1636 and was finished in 1648. The dome houses a seated 7.3 meter-high Buddha statute, carved out of white marble. The lowest terrace of the pagoda is decorated with 120 nats and devas. It is ringed by 802 stone lanterns, carved with inscriptions of Buddha's life in three languages: Burmese, Mon and Shan Yuan, representing the three main regions of Toungoo Kingdom.

Picture by dany13



Read more:
Mandalay Impressions
Mandalay Hotel Picks: Reviews by guests
Mandalay Restaurant Picks: Reviews by guests
Get around in Mandalay by Taxi
River Cruises from Mandalay to Bagan and Mingun
From Mandakay by train to Gokteik and one of the longest viaducts of the world across a canyon