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On the road from Mandalay

July 7, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 27 Comments

SUNSET VIEWS

U Bein Teak Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

One of the highlights of any visit to Mandalay is, ironically, to get out of Mandalay. In the surroundings of the ancient capital are the townships of royal yesteryear with pagodas, ruins, crafts and monasteries.

At Amarapura (itself a former capital of Burma), is my favourite of the sights – the U Bein Teak Bridge.

Most tourists come at sunset for the orange glow which gradually engulfs the bridge and silhouettes those upon it.

The ageing teak wood was once part of the Royal Palace but was turned into a bridge by the mayor, U Bein. They were columns which were no longer needed so they found a new home, helping the common people across Taungthaman Lake.

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

At 1.2 kilometres, this is the oldest teak bridge in the world. And it’s an impressive structure.

But while many tourists come to photograph the bridge and the sunset (it’s got to be one of the most snapped places in Myanmar!), it was the people who I found most enchanting.

Because despite its increasing status as a tourist location, the U Bein Teak Bridge is an important and practical part of the daily movements for people who live in this area. And as the sun slowly drifts towards the horizon over the watery fields around, the residents of Amarapura use it to head home from their day’s activities.

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

I thought I would share a small collection of the photographs I took at the bridge one afternoon as the day approached dusk.

Although there were a lot of foreigners there (Mandalay has to be one of the busiest tourism places I’ve visited in Myanmar), the locals just minded their own business and went on their way.

Oh, apart from those trying to sell you something… but what else would you expect?

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

If you’re interested in visiting the bridge yourself, it might be easier if you go with a tour rather than doing it independently.

Here are a few good options:

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar

Myanmar Travel Guide

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MYANMAR?

See my Myanmar Travel Guide

To help you plan your trip to Myanmar:

  • Five ways to experience local Myanmar
  • Why the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is so important
  • What to expect on the Circle Line in Yangon
  • How to spend a day in Bagan
  • Visiting Mount Popa Monastery from Bagan
  • The best things to see in Bago
  • The story behind the Royal Palace of Mandalay
  • Don’t miss the U Bein Teak Bridge near Mandalay
  • Here’s why I didn’t like visiting Inle Lake
  • Hiking with locals in Shan State

Let someone else do the work for you:

You may also want to consider taking a Myanmar tour, rather than organising everything on your own. It’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.

I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours in Myanmar.

You could consider:

  • Myanmar on a Shoestring (14 days)
  • Classic Myanmar Adventure (14 days)
  • The Heart of Myanmar- National Geographic (12 days)

When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you use World Nomads for your trip.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. BlogDaz |

    February 19, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Reply

    I can see why everybody waits for sundown to photograph the bridge, that’s a beautiful picture.

    • Michael Turtle |

      February 21, 2013 at 1:56 am

      Reply

      Yeah, I guess you could visit it at anytime but there’s something pretty special about sunset.

  2. TammyOnTheMove |

    February 19, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Reply

    Beautiful pics! I am considering moving to Burma when they start opening up the border to foreign NGOs. I think it is one of the last countries in South East Asia where you can still experience some raw culture and not a culture influenced by capitalism or tourism. How long it is going to last I don’t know, so I am hoping that I can get to go sooner rather than later.

    • Michael Turtle |

      February 21, 2013 at 1:57 am

      Reply

      You’re spot on! You can really get involved with the culture very quickly and it generally doesn’t feel like it’s been tainted by commercialism. You would love it there if you could spend some time getting to know the place!

  3. Emilia |

    February 20, 2013 at 4:20 am

    Reply

    Michael, those were incredible pics of the U Bein Bridge. I didn’t got to see it in the sunset, but early in the morning and it was a lovely sight: you’re right, it’s the people walking over it that makes it such a special place. Even the sellers make good conversation 🙂
    It’s great to read your posts, make me miss Myanmar!

    • Michael Turtle |

      February 21, 2013 at 2:02 am

      Reply

      It’s funny, isn’t it. Although it’s wonderful being there it can also be quite annoying dealing with the transport and dodgy guesthouses and everything. But as soon as you leave you forget all of that and you just start to miss the place!

  4. Vinay |

    February 20, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    Reply

    Beautiful Pictures Michael! Never heard about Amara pura and this famous bridge. Sunset indeed is majestic, gorgeous and beautiful and the bridge just looks out of the world during that time. Also liked the leafy designs on the face of the Burmese children. Lean and muscular looking young Buddhist monks presented a curious sight.

    • Michael Turtle |

      February 21, 2013 at 2:06 am

      Reply

      The monks are everywhere and come in all shapes and sizes. It really surprised me at first to see young athletic ones, fat ones drinking, old ones smoking, etc. But then they just all blend into the painting of Myanmar.

  5. Stephanie - The Travel Chica |

    February 23, 2013 at 10:07 am

    Reply

    Great shots. The first one is my favorite.

    • Michael Turtle |

      February 23, 2013 at 1:58 pm

      Reply

      Yeah, mine too! Although I also like the quizzically-cool young monks 🙂

  6. Daene | filipinainflipflops.com |

    February 28, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    Reply

    These photos are amazing. That bridge has a lovely story behind it. I’m going to Myanmar in a month and wish I could see this place for myself!

    • Michael Turtle |

      March 10, 2013 at 10:13 pm

      Reply

      Enjoy Myanmar! You’ll definitely have to make it the bridge. It’s such a photogenic country so I can’t wait to see what you come back with from your trip!

  7. Larissa |

    April 5, 2013 at 1:04 pm

    Reply

    Love these photos, Michael. We didn’t make it to Myanmar while in SE Asia, but definitely have it on our list.

    • Michael Turtle |

      April 16, 2013 at 9:27 pm

      Reply

      It’s becoming more and more popular and I keep saying to people that it’s better to go sooner than later. Now is the perfect time… (perhaps it should go a little higher up the list… he he).

  8. Pong |

    July 19, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    Reply

    Michael, great post there… I will travel to Mandalay for business in a few days and will have 2 days for sightseeing. Is it advisable to get a local tour package for these 2 days? I didn’t have much time preparing for the trip (as it was a last-minute thing) and would love to maximize my time there. Also, do you happen to know any local reliable tour company in Mandalay?

    • Michael Turtle |

      July 20, 2013 at 3:59 am

      Reply

      Hi Pong. I would recommend doing one day in the city of Mandalay by yourself – it’s fairly easy to see the main sights without a guide and just using a taxi to get around (or walking if you feel like the exercise!). You should get a guide for the second day to head out to the sights around Mandalay. You won’t need to book in advance – there are plenty of guys on motorbikes or taxi drivers on the street who will offer to be your guide. It sounds a bit dodgy but it’s not. Most of these guys are good and do this every day so they know their stuff. If you are a bit worried about choosing one, perhaps ask your hotel for advice (they’ll have a brother or a cousin or someone who does it). From memory, the whole day should cost less than $10.
      Let me know how you go!

      • Pong |

        July 22, 2013 at 12:45 pm

        Reply

        Hi Michael. Thanks a lot for the tip. I’ll let you know how it goes!!

      • Pong |

        July 25, 2013 at 1:45 pm

        Reply

        Michael, thanks a lot of your useful tips. I asked a hotel staff for a driver who could drive me around the city for almost a day and it cost 30,000 Kyat. I agree with you that Burmese people are one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They have pride in their nation and are eager to show you how they live their daily lives. BTW, I went to see a cultural dance at the Mintha Theater last night. The entry fee was 8,000 Kyat and it was a not-to-be-missed show in my view. As a Thai, I find that Burmese and Thais share a lot of common beliefs, foods and even traditions. The dance was entertaining and not too long or difficult to digest. There were just 8 audience last night. Tourists who like to support these artistes should drop by. The shows starts at 8.30 daily and it lasts for 1 hour.

  9. Juan - Myanmar Travel Essentials |

    October 10, 2013 at 2:56 am

    Reply

    Amazing photos! Beautiful U Bein Bridge!!!

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 29, 2013 at 12:18 am

      Reply

      Thank you. It’s hard to take bad photos of that bridge at sunset. It’s such a stunning place!

  10. dee kennedy |

    June 13, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    Reply

    thank you, just delightful pictures, completely captured the essence of the place … I only just found your photos as I was reminiscing about my visit to Myanmar in 2009; in the last few days, I had been talking to two friends in Myanmar and it made me think I need to go again as I believe it is already changing dramatically .. when I was there, even in Mandalay and surroundings, there were few English speaking people … the whole country is a complete joy, mainly because of the people …

    • Michael Turtle |

      July 12, 2014 at 5:24 am

      Reply

      Thanks so much for sharing your memories, Dee. I would love to have seen it in 2009. These days (or even when I was there a year ago) it was becoming more open. That’s a good thing but over time I worry it will become as tourists as parts of Thailand. I would have loved to see the country when foreigners were even more of a novelty than they are now.

  11. thetravelboss |

    November 16, 2015 at 6:20 am

    Reply

    Amazing photos!

    • Michael Turtle |

      December 14, 2015 at 7:53 am

      Reply

      Thanks very much!

  12. Venetia |

    June 23, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    Reply

    Beautiful write up – and awesome pics!

    What’s the meaning of the leaf prints on children’s faces I wonder?

    Will check out your travel guide 🙂

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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