World Heritage Site long waited "Bagan"

In July 2019, Bagan was added to the long-awaited UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. It is the site of the first dynasty in Myanmar's history, which flourished in the 11th century.

Amidst the unspoiled nature, there are many former royal castles and countless unnamed ruins that offer a magnificent view.

In Southeast Asia, there are Buddhist monuments such as Angkor in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia that were built around the same time as Bagan and have long since been forgotten.

Bagan differs from them in that it did not lose its religious importance in later times: from the 14th to 19th centuries, Bagan's pagodas were generously protected by successive kings, and even during the colonial period, the British attempted to preserve them.

Many of the ruins and murals have not been adequately repaired and preserved, and given the fact that we are in an earthquake-prone area, I fear that this wonderful history will be lost.

The ruins, of course, offer a glimpse into the peaceful life of the people.