Amarapura
Amarapura lies on the left bank of the Ayarwaddy
River. A suburb of Mandalay, it is also known as
Taung-myo (Southern Town) or Myohaung (Old City).
Founded by King Bodawpaya in 1783 as his new
capital. Amarapura means City of Immortality.
Amarapura was the capital city of Myanmar, during
the Konbaung Dynasty. It was founded by King
Bodawpaya in 1782 AD, as the king transferred the
capital from Innwa (or Ava). King Bagyidaw, grandson
of Bodawpaya shifted the capital back to Innwa in
1823, but King Tharrawaddy his successor again took
the capital back to Amarapura in 1837 and it
remained as the capital until King Mindon built
Mandalay in 1857 and shifted the capital there in
1860.
About Amarapura
Visitors to Amarapura can still see the tombs of
King Bodawpaya who died there on 5th June 1819,
located to the north of Shwezaga Pagoda, and also of
King Bagyidaw, located east of Pyatthat Gyi Village
. King Bagyidaw died in Amarapura on 15th October
1846 after being de-throned in 1837. These two white
washed brick mausoleums have inscriptions in English
and Myanmar. They are actually small chedis
(pagodas) enshrining the cremated bones of the two
famous kings. There is another smaller chedi
enshrining the bones of King Tharrawaddy who died in
Amarapura on 17th November 1846. This is located to
the north of the palace site close to the present
family lines of the 3rd Battalion, Electrical and
Mechanical Engineersl Corps II. Tourists can ask the
local people to guide them to these mausoleums.
Amarapura is famous for the Silk Weaving
Industry. Most of the Myanmar people are very proud
to attend the cultural ceremonies with Achiek Longyi,
mainly produced from Amarapura. Not very far from
Mandalay city and accessible by car.
Interesting Places
U Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is about three quarter of a mile,
crossing the Taung-tha-man Inn (lake). It is one of
the most attractive spot for tourists. It is the
longest teak bridge in the world and is about two
centuries old.
 This bridge became to be known as U Bein Bridge
after the name of the donor, U Bein who was a clerk
to the Mayor of Amarapura. It was constructed in
1849 from old planks and timber posts of dismantled
houses in Sagaing and Inwa. It took nearly two years
to finish, but since it was opened in 1851 it has
constantly been in use by the people and in recent
years by foreign visitors also. There are now 1086
posts and 482 spans. At 9 points, were what served
as drawbridges which were built to allow the royal
barges and war boats to go under the bridge and out
to the Ayeyarwadi River in the old days.
View Larger Map
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda
The Kyauktawgyi Pagoda was built by King Bagan in
1847 on the model of the Ananda Temple at Bagan.
 It
closely resembles the Ananda in exterior form but it
falls short of the latter in construction and
interior decoration. Unlike the Ananda, which has
perfect vaulted roofs, the Kyauktawgyi has wooden
rafters and beams, which account for the weakness of
the structure. There is one principal image carved
out of a single block of Sagyin marble. The walls in
the east and south porches are adorned with
paintings depicting many religious buildings erected
by the donor and other kings in different parts of
the country, and scenes from contemporary Burmese
life.
View Larger Map
Pahtodawgyi Pagoda
In the southern part of Amarapura, the
Pahtodawgyi Pagoda modeled on the Mahazedi of Sri
Lanka. The foundation of this pagoda was laid by
King Bagyidaw and his Queen on 2nd March 1820. The
pagoda was completed on 19th February 1824. The base
measures 180 feet in circumference, and the height
also measures 180 feet. The official title of the
pagoda is Maha Vijayaramsi. This well preserved
pagoda stood outside the old city walls. The lower
terraces have marble slabs illustrating scenes from
the Jataka. You'll have a fine view over the
surrounding countryside from the upper terrace. An
inscription stone, within the temple precincts,
details the history of the pagoda's construction.
Palace Ruins
Little remains of the old Amarapura palace but
you can still find two masonry buildings -- the
treasury building and the old watchtower. King
Bagyidaw and King Bodawpaya were both buried here
and their tombs also remain. The corner pagodas
still stand at the four corners of the once square
city.
|
