Preserving the world's oldest teak bridge
The
160-year-old bridge, thought to be the world's oldest and longest teak
bridge, spans 1.2 kilometres across Taungthaman Lake in Amarapura, an
ancient city near Mandalay
The famous U Bein Bridge is certainly one of the most photographed
iconic sites near the northern city of Mandalay, but not many visitors
are aware that the bridge is actually showing the ravages of time
despite its sturdy teakwood architecture.
After over a century of exposure to the elements and natural
disasters, the bridge has fallen into disrepair. Mandalay authorities
are planning a major maintenance programme even after a series of pillar
replacements just a few years ago. The Mandalay regional government
says the bridge's structural deterioration necessitates urgent repair
work.
"As the bridge is old and aging, it has started dangerously
decaying," Mandalay Finance and Revenue Minister Myint Kyu said, adding:
"We are drafting now for major renovation work on the bridge. Specific
details will be released this week. We will submit the draft to the
regional government, and we will be holding a press conference as well.
Public suggestions are welcome."
A major overhaul of the bridge is required because only minor
repairs have been done in the past, critics say. The regional government
spent Ks 13 million to repair the bridge in March 2013 because its
pillars were badly decayed.
But repairing the bridge is no mean feat given its size and length.
The 160-year-old bridge, thought to be the world's oldest and
longest teak bridge, spans 1.2 kilometres across Taungthaman Lake in
Amarapura, an ancient city near Mandalay.
As repair work has not yet begun to return the bridge to its
original glory, now is the best time to see the ramshackle bridge in its
classic look.
Named after the mayor who had it built around 1849, the bridge
originally had four resting places, 482 sections and 1,086 pillars taken
from the former Innwa Palace that was flattened by a series of
earthquakes in 1839. A new royal palace was subsequently erected in 1842
in Amarapura, 11 kilometres to the south of Mandalay. Established by
King Bodawpaya in 1783, Amarapura was the centre of power until 1857
when the capital was moved to Mandalay.
In its early days, U Bein was known as the ’bridge without water’
because the lake was empty. With the introduction of irrigation, the
lake was eventually flooded and became one of important freshwater
fisheries.
Conservationists say the lake's increasing pollution and water
acidity have contributed to the bridge's decaying foundations. A major
restoration programme began in 1995 to replace its teak pillars with
concrete ones. But the effort sparked a heated debate about the impact
of the bridge's renovations on its historical value and original charm.
Local residents who are dependent on Mandalay's tourisms for their
survival are urging local authorities to repair the bridge urgently for
fear that the city's tourism will be undermined if the bridge
collapses.
If you're planning a day trip to Innwa or Sagaing, the U Bein
Bridge is well worth a visit especially in the late afternoon when the
bridge is buzzing with locals scurrying back home from work, some
pulling their bicycles, others lumbering under the loads of firewood or
ingredients for dinner perched atop their heads. There's a row of
teashops where you can relax while watching the human tide flowing back
and forth across the lake.
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