Bagan counts pagodas

January 23, 2016 GoAsiaDayTrip 0 Comments

Myanmar is counting its temples at Bagan to ensure the ancient city can present accurate data for a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Global New Light of Myanmar reported the Ministry of Culture’s Archaeology and National Museum Department, is responsible for compiling the inventory of pagodas Bagan’s historical zones.

Bagan was previously separated into 11 zones in July 2015, after which an inventory of pagodas from each zone was initiated. By the end of December 2015, an inventory had been complied in just two of the 11 zones, the report said.

The department’s deputy general director, U Thein Lwin, was quoted saying: “In one area, there were over 300 pagodas. In another, there were 500. We found pagodas that had been buried under mounds of earth.”

The inventory will be completed in February, this year, in order for Bagan to strengthen its bid to be listed as a World Heritage site.

The deputy general director added there were more pagodas in Bagan than people first thought.

According to the most recent records kept by the department, the Bagan Archaeological Zone covers about 42 sq km (16 miles) and has more than 3,000 pagodas.

Bagan is an ancient city located in Mandalay Region, built between the 9th and 11th centuries, during an era when some 55 Buddhist kings ruled the Bagan Dynasty.

In 2014, Bagan attracted 240,000 tourists who generated USD4.1 million in tourism-related revenue.

Bagan Tour Guide Association estimates international visitor arrivals to the ancient city could reach 500,000 by 2018, double the visits in 2015.

The country’s Ministry of Culture is attempting to enforce regulations to protect Bagan as officials seek UNESCO World Heritage status possibly by 2017.

Myanmar has nominated 14 sites for inclusion on the World Heritage List, including Mandalay’s ancient kingdoms and Mrauk U in Arakan State. So far, only the ancient cities of Pyi have been added to the prestigious list.