Myanmar Tourism News

Boat renovation at U Bein Bridge

Taking boat rides by tourists are becoming popular in Taung Ta Man Lake which houses the world longest U Bein Bridge made by teak.

There are about 50 boat men earn their living providing boat ride to the tourist in this breezy lake. At this time of the year, they start repairing their boat by replacing the wood plank for the next tourist season.

One boat man said, “I had bought this boat some 25 years ago. When I bought this it was 750 Kyats, now it worth about 60,000 Kyats, some newer one worth as much as 100,000 Kyats.”

These boat men have to obey the strict rule of strengthening their boat for the safety of the passenger. These boats are not allowed to carry more than 4 passengers.

The boat fares vary according to the distance of the boat ride. Taking boat ride was popular only after 1988. Previously, very few foreigners took boat ride.

The U Bein Bridge, which is almost one mile long was built by a clerk, U Bein in 1849 and is ten years older than the Mandalay Royal Palace.

August 12, 2005
Source: Local News Journal

Trans Myanmar Solo Cyclist Holds Discussion about Health

Trans Myanmar solo cyclist, Mr. Myo Myint, started his Trans Myanmar tour by leaving Thuwanna National Stadium on July 10, and is now in Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State.

On his way for Trans Myanmar tour, he reached Tat Kon Township on July 15. From there, he paddled by using new road of Kintha Gate which has connected Paung Laung and Pin Laung with a distance of 74 miles.

During Trans Myanmar tour, Myo Myint holds discussion of preventing HIV, AIDS, and the risk of smoking. He also discuss about the knowledge of cyclist. Along with the discussion about health, he distributes pamphlet about health provided by UNDP and Ministry of Health.

Now, he is cycling across Kayah State and heading to Taunggyi. During the tour, he will also drop in Nam San, Kun Hein, Ta Kaw, Mong Pyin, Kyeng Tong and stop for a while in Tachileik. He, then, in the winter, will paddle in Rakhine State, Thaninthayi Division, Karen State and Mon State. And, in next year summer, he will paddle up to the northern part of Myanmar.

August 11 2005
Source: 7 Days News

Myanmar Star Tortoise and Minsonethaung Sanctuary Park

It will be difficult to tell if one sees some rounded creatures at the size of Chinese rice bowl with stripe of line forming star on the back crawling to and fro slowly. It is Myanmar Star Tortoise at Minsonethaung Sanctuary Park!

Not long ago, the park has successfully hatched 68 Star Tortoises and now the total has reached 104. The baby Star Tortoises are well preserved in a small garden. Last four years, these Star Tortoises were facing the threat of extinction. Now, these creatures has been successfully overcome the challenges.

Four years ago, the park had started preservation program by keeping only 10 Star Tortoises. Star Tortoises are among the top ten of endanger species in Asia. Annually, Star Tortoises are smuggled out to other countries by poachers. In other countries, people keep Star Tortoise as pet and are becoming popular. In international market, Star Tortoise can be sold as much as 200 US$ per creature.

Annually, the population of Star Tortoises has been increased in Minsonethaung Sanctuary. In 2003, the park had successfully hatched 8 Star Tortoises, in 2004, 35 creatures and this year it has hit the record by producing 68.

Star Tortoise like hot and dry terrain like Mandalay Division and Magway Division. Minsonethaung is a good reason to become a Star Tortoise Preservation camp since it is located Mandalay Division.

To become a successful preservation, systematic feeding is important. The feeding includes natural vegetation like grass, mosses, water crest and some time colorful fruits. Systematic feeding encourages being proportional form of the shell. An officer explained that before they fed chopped water crest and later they feed in bundles so that the creatures use their leg and grows up naturally.

A queer local belief related to Star Tortoise also help preservation successfully, because the local people believe that if one had touched the Star Tortoise, one will lose his way. So, it is believe that majority avoid poaching these creatures.

August 11, 2005
Source: Local News Journal

Ko-Thaung Pagoda Revealed

Ko-Thaung pagoda of Rakhine State had been totally excavated and starting the renovation works. It has finished 25 % of the renovation works. Ko-Thaung Pagoda is the biggest in Rakhine State.

“Actually, the excavation projected had started since 1996. Before excavating the pagoda, the site was just a mere mound and now it is totally revealed,” said Mr. Kyaw U Lwin, the director of Archaeology Department under the Ministry of Culture.

Although, the Ko-Thaung Pagoda was started excavated since 1996, the excavation works was delayed due to the two long tunnels built on top of the pagoda. The previous work of excavation can only reveal the upper part of the pagoda and only in 2003, it can be excavated rapidly.

Meanwhile, the renovation work has been underway in the form of original. But the renovation is so costly and it will take time to finish the renovation. Some original materials are reused in the renovation.

Ko-Thaung pagoda was built by the Rakhine King Take-Kha in 1535 and said to be 9,000 Buddha images at the pagoda. But, unfortunately, seems, it had not finished the construction. There is no trace of ceti (little spire) at northern and western part of the pagoda. During excavation, plenty of roof tiles were excavated. The pagoda was constructed with sand-stone.

August 15, 2005
Source: Local News Journal