11 miles south of Mandalay, there is an ancient city named Amarapura. A bridge totally built with wood, named U Pain Bridge is a famous landmark there. In 1209 Myanmar era, in the reign of Bagan King, a clerk named U Pain had built this 3,967 feet long bridge with 1,086 posts across Taungthaman lake, and it was named U Pain Bridge in his honour.
At the eastern edge of the bridge, you will find Taungthaman Villlage and Mahathakyaranthi Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, which is just like a replica of Bagan’s Ananda Cave and was built by King Bagan, in Myanmar era 1211. You can also pay homage to the Buddha Image made of alabaster kept in the special chamber of the pagoda.

You can also study Amarapura period style wall paintings on the ceilings of the stairway. These wall paintings are crucial as ancient historical evidence, and examples to be used when renovating pagodas and ancient buildings and can be used when studying ancient architectural designs.
In ancient times, the donors used to document their good deeds by inscribing the donors’ name and deed on the walls of the pagodas. We can witness the inscriptions of the good deeds in Sagaing Kuthodaw Pagoda, Shwegu Kuthodaw Pagoda, Pyay Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay Kuthodaw Pagoda, Okkala Kuthodaw Pagoda, Bagan Kuthodaw Pagoda and the many monasteries ornamented and decorated with ancient Myanmar architectural design

In those days, vermilion for red, indigo for blue, turmeric for yellow, Duthtar for green, oil dregs for black and chalk for white in colouring the wall paintings.

By looking at the beautiful inscriptions under the wall paintings, it is evident that ancient Myanmars were adept in the art of beautifying the inscription.

From the wall paintings of Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, you will be able to study the Amerapura period architectural designs and these will one day be invaluable cultural heritage for today’s youth.