Old Burmese Royal capital of Inwa is looking to become an important tourism destination

26 Sep 2013  2035 | World Travel News

MANDALAY- Inwa is a powerful ancient capital of Burmese kings from the 14th century to the 19th century and was abandoned following a powerful earthquake which totally destroyed the old capital. It was never rebuilt. But it turned now into a popular tourist attraction as it is located only 21 km away in the southern region of Mandalay. The small city is on the way to Mandalay new airport. 

“Year by year, more tourists come to Inwa, but our business remains stable,” explained to the newspaper Irrawaddy a souvenir seller with a small shop near a 27-meter-tall watchtower, a tourist attraction and the sole remains of a 19th century palace in the city. “We can’t say we earn a lot, but we are hoping to earn more this year because we heard there will be more tourists coming to our country.”

Inwa, known to Westerners as Ava, was a powerful ancient capital of Burmese kings from the 14th century to the early 19th century, located just 21 km south of Mandalay and across the Myitnge River. Many children in Inwa are filling the streets of the city as they  are eager to make pocket money not only by selling sets of postcards, but by explaining the history of the city and its ancient monuments.

“We used to explain only to Burmese pilgrims. Usually we get 1,000 to 1,500 kyats [US$1 to $1.50] a day,” Ko Thu said. “Selling only postcards to visitors is not good business because nobody wants to buy them—only some foreigners are interested. On a lucky day, a set or two will be sold, and a set of 10 cards is only 1,500 [kyats]. That’s why we are hoping this year will give us better business.”

Although Inwa can be reached by car via an hour’s drive on the road from Mandalay International Airport, most tourists prefer to take a three- to five-minute boat ride across the river. Once there, they can admire the remains of the ancient city walls, the palace site and the watchtower, as well as areas of unspoiled nature.

At a small jetty designated as an “archeology survey zone,” horse carts line up to welcome visitors and show off the city with a ride on its dusty, bumpy roads. “Our earnings were pretty good last year, and we hope we will earn more,” said Than Tun, a horse cart driver. “We’ve redecorated our carts and given special care to the horses as well, because they are our only and best business partners.” For a daylong horse cart ride, drivers earn 5,000 kyats to 6,000 kyats with an occasional tip.

However the city is waiting now from the central or regional government to reconstruct the main road. With its loopholes, driving to the old city is anything but a real pleasure. “Some parts of the road in Inwa are in terrible condition, so sometimes the horses trip and give minor injuries to travelers,” a local tour guide said to the Irrawaddy. “Since the city is just miles away from Mandalay, I think it deserves to have good roads. I hope the roads will be repaired this season.”

Tour guides in Mandalay also say Inwa needs smoother roads for the convenience of visitors..“We have not heard serious complaints from tourists so far. But some of our guides suggest that the roads are so bumpy that it is not suitable for the elderly to visit Inwa with the horse carts,” said a tour operator in Rangoon.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews

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