Unesco listing draws more tourists to Bago
The addition of the ancient Pyu city of Sri Kshetra to Unesco's World Heritage List has led to a surge in visitors, according to the Department of Archeological Research and National Museum.
“Even though this is not tourism season, the numbers of tourists from home and abroad increased significantly after the Pyu cities were put on the World Heritage List,” said Myint Myint Thein, an assistant director at the archeological research and national museum department.
He said there were no exact figures on the number of tourists yet, but said Japanese tourists comprised the largest segment. He also said that tour companies and guides were now adding the ancient city to their itineraries.
Three ancient Pyu cities – Halin, Beikthano and Sri Khsetra – were added to the World Heritage List in June. The Pyu kingdoms flourished for more than 1,000 years, between 200 BC and AD 900. The three cities are partially excavated archaeological sites.
A tourist said there was no problem traversing around Sri Kshetra, but added that “the roads were very bad, especially in the rainy season”.
He also said souvenir shops would draw more tourists.
An annual World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha late June granted endangered status to the remains of the cities of Hanlin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra in the country’s Irrawaddy basin.
Halin is located in Shwebo District of Sagaing Region. Beikthano is located in Taungtwingyi Township of Magwe Region. Sri Ksetra is located in Pyay District of Bago Region.
The France-based International Council on Monuments and Sites inspected the three cities in October 2013.
Remains of the palace citadels, brick Buddhist stupas and burial grounds at the site currently draw around 60,000 local and foreign visitors every year, according to Daw Me Me Khaing, who hopes the new status will bring many more.
“We will have a better situation for our heritage sites as we gain experience from this,” she said.
