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Voykit pocket guide · Myanmar
Amarapura
Half-day trip from Mandalay for U Bein's Bridge at sunset and the weaving workshops. Not worth a night.
Amarapura was the Konbaung capital in the early 1800s. Today it is a Mandalay suburb known for the 1.2 km teak U Bein's Bridge across Taungthaman Lake, silk and cotton weaving, and bronze casting. Most visitors come for the sunset bridge view and leave the same day.
- Country
- Myanmar
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Avoid
- Mar–May (hottest), Jun–Oct (monsoon)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MMK
- Money
- Payment and banking conditions are not assessed here; check with your bank and your government advice.
- Daily spend
- Budget MMK 30,000–50,000 excl. bed · Mid MMK 50,000–100,000 excl. bed · High MMK 100,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 199 · Fire 191 · Ambulance 192
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi Mandalay–Amarapura one way | MMK 10,000–20,000 |
| Boat ride on the lake (30 min) | MMK 5,000–15,000 |
| Local meal (rice and curry) | MMK 3,000–6,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | MMK 500–1,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MDL · Mandalay International Airport
- About 45 min by taxi or pre-booked car to Amarapura
Typical fares
- Mandalay → Amarapura taxi
- MMK 10,000–20,000, about 30 min (check)
- Boat on Taungthaman Lake
- MMK 5,000–15,000 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxi or trishaw from Mandalay; walking along the bridge and the lake shore. A bicycle from Mandalay is possible if you are fit.
See and do
Known for
- U Bein's Bridge
- Silk and cotton weaving workshops
- Bronze casting
- Taungthaman Lake
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mandalay | Taxi or bus, about 30–45 min | 30–45 min |
| Pyin U Lwin | Taxi via Mandalay, about 1.5 h | 1.5–2 h |
| Naypyidaw | Taxi or bus via Mandalay, about 3 h | 3–4 h |
Sleep
- Mandalay (day-trip base)
- No foreigner-licensed hotels in Amarapura. Stay in Mandalay and take a 30–45 min taxi or bus.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | မင်္ဂလာပါmin-ga-la-ba |
| Thank you | ကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ်kyay-zu-tin-ba-deh |
| How much? | ဘယ်လောက်လဲbe-lauk-leh |
| Yes | ဟုတ်ကဲ့ho-kay |
| No | မဟုတ်ဘူးma-ho-boo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Sunset crowds on U Bein's Bridge: go early for a spot or arrive by 16:00.
- No licensed accommodation for foreigners: plan as a day trip.
- Monsoon (Jun–Oct) can flood the lake shore and make the bridge slippery.
Amarapura is generally safe for tourists. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas near the bridge and on boats. Monsoon flooding can affect the lake shore path.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Amarapura yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- U Bein's Bridge
- Silk and cotton weaving workshops
- Bronze casting
- Taungthaman Lake
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Amarapura, revision 4541283 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4541283
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/amarapura). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.