U Bein Bridge, February 2014

We made a visit to U Bein Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar. It really is an amazing sight seeing all the activity on and around the bridge. There is farming, fishing, buying, selling and monks passing back and forth. The bridge was built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. Construction began when the capital of Ava Kingdom moved to Amarapura, and the bridge is named after the mayor who had it built. It is used as an important passageway for the local people.

Tourist boats waiting for customers on the shore of Taung Tha Man Lake at U Bein Bridge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
As we waited the light go better and better.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A small restaurant on the shore.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The bridge was built from wood reclaimed from the former royal palace in Inwa. It features 1,086 pillars that stretch out of the water, some of which have been replaced with concrete.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A small sunflower patch near the bridge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Monks crossing U Bein Bridge, they are proabably headed for the monastery in Amarapura.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Old bike on the bridge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
People working the fields below the bridge. This area is basically a flood plain for the Irrawaddy River.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Fish are farmed in the lake.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Here a young man is herding fish towards a net.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boats with tourists heading out on the lake for the sunset. paddling past a man with a fishing net.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Life goes on regardless of the tourists.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Southeast Asia Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A reed fence to keep the fish in.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boats carrying locals arrive on the eastern shore of the lake. The boats are not strictly for tourists.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Man fishing with a boat passing.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boys with a fishing net.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boys with a fishing net.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A man collecting crops near the bridge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Women working the fields. There are so many different things going on!
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boat on Taung Tha Man Lake.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boat on Taung Tha Man Lake.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
People passing back and forth on the U Bein Bridge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
People passing back and forth on the U Bein Bridge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Near sunset here the light becomes really incredible.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Locals enjoy the sights here too.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boats with tourists heading out on the lake for the sunset.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boats with tourists heading out on the lake for the sunset.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Sunset at U Bein Bridge with Shwe Modeptaw Pagoda.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Sunset at U Bein Bridge with Shwe Modeptaw Pagoda..
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Sunset at U Bein Bridge with Shwe Modeptaw Pagoda..
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Sunset at U Bein Bridge with Shwe Modeptaw Pagoda..
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Sunset at U Bein Bridge with Shwe Modeptaw Pagoda..
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Sunset at U Bein Bridge with Shwe Modeptaw Pagoda..
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Twilight on Taung Tha Man Lake near U Bein Bridge.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Twilight on Taung Tha Man Lake near U Bein Bridge with boats.
Asia Burma Mandalay Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Myanmar Places Taung Tha Man Lake Thaungthaman Lake U Bein Bridge michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com

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U Bein Bridge, February 2014