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Myanmar’s Resplendent Heritage
An aesthetic experience of architecture.

Ananda Temple

Bagan and Mandalay, two cities of central Myanmar, boast majestic buildings that are internationally renowned.

The perfection of Ananda Temple

Bagan, the capital of Myanmar’s first unified kingdom, is one of the world’s three most prominent Buddhist historic sites. All of Old Bagan, which is home to approximately 2,500 surviving pagodas, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ananda Temple, which is famously the most beautiful of Bagan’s Buddhist temples, is included in multiple lists of must-see architectural sites. Built in 1105 by the decree of King Kyanzittha, Ananda Temple is regarded as the finest example of Buddhist temple architecture in Southeast Asia. There is also, however, a sad story behind its uniqueness: as soon as Ananda Temple was completed, to prevent similar temples from being built, Kyanzittha ordered all eight monks who oversaw the construction to be killed. In other words, it is due to the inability of the builders to pass down their knowledge that Ananda Temple remains literally unparalleled to this day. Once you enter the perfectly symmetrical temple, you will notice that the indoor space is as dark as the inside of a cave. This is because the building was designed with latticed windows so that sunlight enters only in very limited amounts to maintain a reverent atmosphere. One noteworthy feature is the four massive Buddha statues, each of which faces one of the four cardinal directions. Every January, the Ananda Pagoda Festival is held for 15 days, during which many Buddhist monks and believers gather at the temple.

The sublimity of U Bein Bridge

Mandalay, the capital of Myanmar’s last kingdom, is home to U Bein Bridge, the world’s oldest teak bridge, which is approximately 1.2 kilometers long and spans Taungthaman Lake. If you cross the bridge, you will reach Amarapura, a nearby city that was the capital twice in the past. The bridge, named after the mayor who ordered its construction, was built in 1849, with wood reclaimed from the former royal palace in Inwa. The bridge is held up by about 1,000 teak pillars and does not have a guardrail. It may creak in some spots but, over 170 years after its construction, it still remains strong. Therefore, it is easy to gain a sense of the bridge’s long history: all one has to do is walk along it! For locals, U Bein Bridge is an important everyday path that passes by walking or cycling. For tourists, it is a photo-ready attraction full of romantic flair. Make sure to see U Bein Bridge at sunset by taking a boat out onto Taungthaman Lake.

U Bein Bridge