U Bein Bridge: The World’s Longest Footbridge
April 2, 2016
Location: Myanmar
U Bein Bridge is located close to Amarapura, Mandalay Region.
My Experience
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Amarapura means “City Of Immortality”, and is Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital. But actually this city impressed us for its iconic wooden footbridge that crosses Amarapura’s lake. We arrived there after a long day spent driving around Mandalay and it was the best time to go there: before sunset.
We spent half an hour seating and drinking while the sun was slowly sitting towards the horizon, over the watery fields around. Also we watched monks and local people crossing the bridge on their way home. It was relaxing and impressive at the same time. But why is this bridge so important? This is the world’s longest teak footbridge. It crosses Taungthaman Lake and it’s the most photographed site in Myanmar, especially at sunset.
Monk crossing the bridge. U Bein Bridge.
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- Sunset here?!?! Great experience. U Bein Bridge
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- Monks and local people are walking over. U Bein Bridge
The blue sky mixed with the red sunset created an amazing sunset, accompanied by the the shadows of the people crossing the bridge to reach the other side of the lake. U Bein Bridge after having become a tourist attraction is now a significant source of income for souvenir sellers.
It had been a busy day, and we had a great time in Amarapura where we watched one of the best sunset. U Bein Bridge, a must-see of Myanmar.
Monks. monks and monks! They are everywhere 😀 U Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge, well, it’s pretty long?!?!
How to get there, best time and cost
The best way to get there, actually the cheapest, is to take a bus from Mandaly to Amarapura (it takes about 45 minutes and it costs 0,50$AUD), get off the bus after the main railway and walk east for about 15 minutes.
Another option, more expensive but included in an intense day tour, is to book a guide tour. I visited Myanmar with my girlfriend Romina, like almost all South east Asia. We paid 27.000 Kyat per person (32$AUD) for a privat guide. The guide brought us in 3 different and really interesting sites around Mandalay: Inwa, Saging Hill and Amarapura. I suggest this second option to visit U Bein Bridge so that you have the chance to see more of what’s around Mandalay.
uTips
- Walk across the bridge and return by paddle-boat as the sun is sitting. You will enjoy it.
- The sunrise is also well worth watching and is much less crowded.
- My last tip: Don’t get stuck with the thing that ruins your day, life is too short to be wasted in your crap. Smile and be positive because there are so many beautiful reasons to be happy, one of those is travelling.
Author of this post: Davide
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I’d love to walk on this bridge and of course to photograph it! And I believe you when you say that sunset is the best time to visit! And amazing pictures like always 🙂
The red sunset is unbelievable! How fascinating to see so many monks on the bridge! I hope to be able to visit Myanmar someday soon!
Awesome pics! I love to see the way you captured the sunset. Wish I had seen it when I was there. We only went for a quick visit as we didn’t have much time, but the tip about the paddle-boat is great. Myanmar is a very surprising country that I hope to visit again someday. Fantastic shots! 🙂
your pictures of the sunset are amazing! those are so worth framing. Great info on how to get there for those keen on it. I really want to go back to SE Asia
Is this a two-way bridge? or just one-way? Either way, you are right.. Sitting here and enjoy the nature’s view while sipping your favorite drinks would be the best relaxing time you’ll get after a hard day’s of work and tiring feet.
It’s beautiful with zen.
Awesome. This footbridge is crazy. I think walking end to end will be a great fun. Loved your utips. I agree sunrise will be great but sunset will be more colorful and picturesque.
Wow! The place looks great! The sunset just looks incredible! Btw, your last tip is totally true!!!
Wow, that looks amazing! I love all of your pictures of this bridge. You really did a nice job capturing the sunset! Hope I can make it there one day!
I’d only heart about the living root bridges in this region, but here’s another one that’s super interesting to check out! Thanks for talking about it, adding it to my list for when I visit, which I hope will be real soon!
That bridge looks amazing to photograph. I have been to Myanmar before and the sunsets are just fantastic for photos, specifically the ones I took on the Inle Lake!
Great Mimi, I loved the sunset over there, I think one of the best in Southeast Asia!! 😀 thanks for commenting