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An Introduction to Myanmar
Len Gao
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 The
wall and moat of the Mandalay Fort at the city centre. Contrary to
impression, the fort was constructed as late as 1857, shortly before the
arrival of the British, as the palace compound for King Mindon Min. Each
side of the square fortress measures 2km in length, 8m in high and more
than 2m in average thickness. After the British took over, it was
naturally turned into the colonists' government house, and renamed as Fort
Duffrin. |
 Except
its very core centre, the fort still serves as a camp for the military and
living quarter of their families. Passport inspection and register are
still required for foreign visitors. |
 Red
roofs of the palace (below) viewed from the 33-metre high Nan Myint
Saung tower ascended by a spiral staircase (above). The entire
fortress and palace, except the wall the moat, were pulverised by the
fighting between the British and Japanese armies during the WWII, and
was later restored. This explains the seemingly modern corrugated iron
roofs. |
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In Myanmar, tourism is still in its
infancy. The meager financial support of the historical site largely
is largely derived from the $10 admssion fees (good for all sites in
Mandalay) paid by foreign tourists, and a few kyats (Myanmar currency)
contributed by a small number of local visitors (above & below).
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