Mingun entrance fee to increase for foreigners
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MANDALAY - From October 1, foreign visitors to the Mingun area in Sagaing Region must pay Ks5,000 in entrance fee. The fee was raised from Ks3,000, as the region is scrambling for new funds to support development projects.
“The Archeology Research Department collects the entrance fee from foreign visitors. The proceeds are presented to the Sagaing Region Government Committee. Under the new programme beginning on October 1, a private company chosen by the Region Government Committee will collect the entrance fee,” said a security officer in the Mingun area.
“The fee increase is good because the money will be spent on regional development tasks and on the renovation of ancient archeological buildings,” said Thida Lin, a freelance tour guide.
After paying the fee, foreign tourists can explore the Mingun area for up to five days.
On September 7, the Sagaing Region Government Committee invited competitive tenders from companies vying to collect the newly increased fees. The winner would collect the fee until March 31, 2016.
Mingun is home to an uncompleted 18th-century pagoda built by King Bodawpaya that would have been the largest in the world. The world’s largest ringing bell, originally meant to accompany the unfinished pagoda, is also one of the area’s attractions.
