Amarapura

                                                U Bein Bridge

Amarapura is 11km from Mandalay, was founded by King Bodawpaya of the Konbaund Dynasy as his new capital in May 1783. The new capital became a center of Buddhist reforms and learning.
Bodawpaya's grandson, King Bagyidaw moved the Court back to Ava in November 1821. Bagyidaw's successor King Tharrawaddy again moved the royal capital back to Amarapura in February 1842.

Sights Interest

 

Maha Gandhayon Monastery

 

• Taungthaman Lake and U Beiln Bridge -
  Taungthaman Lake lies in between Mandalay and Amarapura, commonly known now-a-days as Taungmyo. The unique feature of this Lake is that it completely dries up during the Summer.
  There is a teak wooden bridge (U Bein Bridge)  a 1.2 km wooden footbridge (longest teak bridge in the world) built by the mayor U Bein salvaging the unwanted teak columns from the old palace during the move to Mandalay.
• Kyautawgyi Paya – A stupa built by King Bagan in 1847 at the farther end of U Bein's bridge. It is not to be confused with another Kyauktawgyi Pagoda in Mandalay. This one is dedicated by King Bagan being constructed on the lines of famous Ananda Temple of Bagan. This seated Buddha statue measures 11 ft-9 in (3.5 m) at the base with a height of 17 ft-3 in (5.5m). It is of historical interest for those who
  have an interest in the contemporary life of Myanmars of that period. Murals on the walls of the image chamber and the ceilings of the covered passage-ways are depicted, scenes of contemporary buildings and the dress and life-style of the Myanmar people of the period.  
• Maha Gandhayon Kyaung - a large modern monastery complex with hundreds of monks and novices, well known throughout the country.This Maha Ganadayon religious institute is famous for strict training for young monks in the study of Buddhist Texts. One could observe how silently and serenely Buddhist students are taking their meals and learning their lessons when one enters the compound.