U Bein Bridge

Entry fee: covered in the through ticket of Mandalay Pass which charges US$10.
Location: in the ancient city of Amarapura, 11 kilometers north from downtown Mandalay.

The world famous U Bein Bridge, known as Love Bridge among locals, is located in Amarapura and stretches across the lake Taungthaman. It is the longest teakwood bridge in the world which has its piers, girder, and the floor all made of precious teakwood, a exclusive building material for royal families.

The location of the bridge was originally a low-lying land by the lake Taungthaman, which usually turned to be flooded during rainy season. To deal with the local transport, the King Mindon (who reined from 1853 to 1878) has this bridge build with teakwood. Though the color of the bridge has turned to gray after underwent hundred years’ sunniness, wind and rain erosion, Ubein Bridge is still standing towering today, serving as usual as a daily transport as well as a popular tourist attraction.

The bridge has six pavilions on its two ends and the middle, symbolizing the Buddhism’s Six Harmonies Theory. Therefore, Myanmar lovers come to Ubein bridge even traveling from afar to pray for everlasting six harmonies in their relationship. This is why Myanmar people named Ubein Bridge as Love Bridge.

Tips:
- Dusk is the best time to visit Ubein Bridge when the bridge offers the best sunset. Most travelers especially the lovers enjoy the serene time here by sitting by the lake, watching the pink sky gradually turn to dark red and the setting sun slowly disappear.
- It is also a good idea to charter a boat to enjoy the amazing sunset on the lake.