Myanmar govt bans visitors from climbing Bagan for sunset viewing

[webfact]

Myanmar govt bans visitors from scaling Bagan for sunset viewing



YANGON: -- Leaders of tourism industry in Bagan have condemned a Ministry of Culture decision to ban visitors from climbing on ancient pagodas in the world-renowned archaeological zone, according to The Myanmar Times.

Watching the sunset from the top of a pagoda is one of Bagan’s main tourism drawcards, and is regularly cited as a “must-do” when visiting Myanmar.

But the Ministry of Culture announced on Monday that all climbing on pagodas would be banned from March 1, following public backlash against a video showing a song-and-dance performance on top of one structure.

The ministry said in a post to its Facebook page that it took the decision because a medical company had conducted a cultural show on Pyathagyi Pagoda in the second week of February, describing dancing and singing on pagodas as having an “ugly impact” on Myanmar’s culture.

The ban will also ensure the pagodas are “maintained for the long term”, the ministry said.

The growing number of local and foreign visitors to Bagan – the number of foreigners has more than doubled since 2011, from 120,000 to 250,000 last year – means hundreds are turning up each evening to ascend the temples, placing strain on the ancient structures.

But tourism business operators in Bagan were scathing of the decision, which they said was poorly thought out and damaging for the industry.

Bagan has more than 3000 ancient pagodas and temples, of which five are particularly popular for watching sunsets: Shwesandaw, Thitsarwady, Pyathetgyi, Shwenanyindaw and Oah Chan Pae Kone.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/152149


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-24

[craigt3365]

Wow. That's huge. It was amazing to watch the sun set from atop a pagoda. Other than one, which was insanely and massively crowded, the others weren't too bad. I think they could have handled this differently....

[sanukjim]

The more people to climb these pagodas as the tourist numbers increase will only eventually destroy sooner what has been there for years.Glad they stopped this.

[craigt3365]

The more people to climb these pagodas as the tourist numbers increase will only eventually destroy sooner what has been there for years.Glad they stopped this.

I'm pretty conservative when it comes to stuff like this. But I think there's a balance between utilization of a heritage site and abuse. Right now, on one temple, it's teetering towards abuse. But understand, what started this was an inappropriate song and dance video. Not damage to the temples.

Charge $5 to climb the temple for sunset and 50% of the tourists won't be there. You'll have money for restoration, and the tourists will be happy. These temples seem to be very well built. Though I'm no expert!

[gregk0543]

Foreign tourists already pay $20 US to be in the archeological zone. But there is one purpose built private tower that costs another $10.

Maybe they should build a few more fake dummy sunset viewing towers in other places.

Ah for the good old days 35 years ago you got to climb up inside lots of them and outside.

It is still worth visiting though and at least you can still walk around inside these temples. I hope they never stop that, but that is all that is left.

[gregk0543]

Maybe common sense has prevailed:

RANGOON — Burma’s Ministry of Culture has modified an announcement originally issued Monday prohibiting visitors from ascending the ancient temples of Bagan which was met with criticism by tourism professionals who instead urged the government to set limits on the ban.

http://www.irrawaddy.com/burma/ministry-exempts-5-temples-ban-bagan-temple-access.html

[pattayahenry]

30 years ago you could climb every temple, if there were stairs, in the last years they have closed most of them. only about 20 were left last dec for watching the sunset. and shwesandaw was by far the most crowded with dozens of busses arriving each evening. but i am sure, they soon will open some again, anyway, i and most guides know many without any control or any people at sunset.

[craigt3365]

Foreign tourists already pay $20 US to be in the archeological zone. But there is one purpose built private tower that costs another $10.

Maybe they should build a few more fake dummy sunset viewing towers in other places.

Ah for the good old days 35 years ago you got to climb up inside lots of them and outside.

It is still worth visiting though and at least you can still walk around inside these temples. I hope they never stop that, but that is all that is left.

I did that private one. It's fantastic, but not positioned very well. It was nice to sit there, have 2 for one cocktails and eat free munchies though! LOL

I climbed on a bunch of them. Might have been a few closed off, but most were open for exploring. It was a fantastic experience. Just didn't like the hordes at the main one. Ridiculous.

[webfact]

Five temples exempted from ban on Bagan temple access



YANGON: -- The Ministry of Culture of Myanmar has modified an announcement originally issued Monday prohibiting visitors from ascending the ancient temples of Bagan which was met with criticism by tourism professionals, The Irrawaddy reported.

Under an initial announcement, visitors would from March 1, no longer be allowed to climb the steps of stupas and temples in the ancient city.

However, in an additional statement released late on Tuesday, the ministry stipulated that the ban would not include five temples—Pyathatgyi, Shwesandaw, South Guni, North Guni and Thitsar Wadi.

The ministry’s clarification came after several tourism professionals had spoken out, claiming that a total ban would not be an inappropriate answer to the strains placed on preserving the monuments’ heritage.

An experienced English-speaking tour guide said there are two famous spots in Bagan from which sunsets can be viewed, and that huge crowds of tourists throng to these prime viewpoints — on the tops of temples — daily. She did, however, express concern about tourists who desecrate the ancient heritage site.

Since October of last year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has advocated for a partnership between the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to build a a viewing mount around Bagan’s Sulamani Temple. No green light has been given for the project to date.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/152363


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-25

[NickJ]

First time I was there was 87. One guy followed me everywhere I went. He started the night I arrived. I was stepping out of the bathroom after having a shower. He was sitting on my bed. He was trying to get me to confess to him I was a journalist. I kept bumping into him everywhere. When in Bagan I was the only westerner in the area and in one of the smaller temples I roundeda corner and bam.....there he was. He was so happy to have bumped into me on his vacation to Bagan........

[peterb17]

It's going to be tricky. Bagan is a magical place, I must admit we did climb up one- but even in low season there were too many people ( including some Japanese kids playing rap on a small boom box- just added to the ambiance) , so climbed down the horrendous steps after taking in the view.

There were butt ends, cans , bottles and rubbish- even some graffiti . Damage is already being done to the pagodas.

Personally think sunsets are a bit overrated !

The Chinese are already starting to visit, and as the country opens up more, Bagan is going to turn into a vast open Disneyland with ever increasing numbers.

Every temple complex does not allow shorts/ revealing clothes- the backpacker types took no notice. At present the Burmese are incredibly welcoming - but as more and visitors simply ignore the local customs- they too ( like Thailand) will begin to dislike the hordes of tourists.

So the Government will have to come up strategies to protect this amazing site.

[sanukjim]

The more people to climb these pagodas as the tourist numbers increase will only eventually destroy sooner what has been there for years.Glad they stopped this.

I'm pretty conservative when it comes to stuff like this. But I think there's a balance between utilization of a heritage site and abuse. Right now, on one temple, it's teetering towards abuse. But understand, what started this was an inappropriate song and dance video. Not damage to the temples.

Charge $5 to climb the temple for sunset and 50% of the tourists won't be there. You'll have money for restoration, and the tourists will be happy. These temples seem to be very well built. Though I'm no expert!

OK so lets continue to destroy a bit of history but charge so as to restore with modern equipment and materials .In 100 years it will still be there but with a facade not of the original stones and mortar.So take pictures now so you can show the locals how their history looked before the tourist were allowed to deface it over time.Great idea huh ?

[craigt3365]

The more people to climb these pagodas as the tourist numbers increase will only eventually destroy sooner what has been there for years.Glad they stopped this.

I'm pretty conservative when it comes to stuff like this. But I think there's a balance between utilization of a heritage site and abuse. Right now, on one temple, it's teetering towards abuse. But understand, what started this was an inappropriate song and dance video. Not damage to the temples.

Charge $5 to climb the temple for sunset and 50% of the tourists won't be there. You'll have money for restoration, and the tourists will be happy. These temples seem to be very well built. Though I'm no expert!

OK so lets continue to destroy a bit of history but charge so as to restore with modern equipment and materials .In 100 years it will still be there but with a facade not of the original stones and mortar.So take pictures now so you can show the locals how their history looked before the tourist were allowed to deface it over time.Great idea huh ?

If done properly, they won't be damaged and it's a part of history that's great for people to see and experience. I climbed quite a few and they are super sturdy. I'm no expert, and neither are you, but I didn't see major damage due to over use. Some guard rails put up, etc. But I didn't see huge blocks of stone out of place, cracked, damaged, etc. Outside a few temples, there are few tourists cruising around. Mostly I ran into locals during my 3 days there.

I also walked a good section of the Great Wall of China. It's covered with thousands of people every day. People who get to enjoy their heritage. It was restored and looks great. If not restored, the site looks pretty bad. I waked a good section of the wall that wasn't restored. Hard to see anything. Pics of the wall, restored and not.

[sanukjim]

The more people to climb these pagodas as the tourist numbers increase will only eventually destroy sooner what has been there for years.Glad they stopped this.

I'm pretty conservative when it comes to stuff like this. But I think there's a balance between utilization of a heritage site and abuse. Right now, on one temple, it's teetering towards abuse. But understand, what started this was an inappropriate song and dance video. Not damage to the temples.

Charge $5 to climb the temple for sunset and 50% of the tourists won't be there. You'll have money for restoration, and the tourists will be happy. These temples seem to be very well built. Though I'm no expert!

OK so lets continue to destroy a bit of history but charge so as to restore with modern equipment and materials .In 100 years it will still be there but with a facade not of the original stones and mortar.So take pictures now so you can show the locals how their history looked before the tourist were allowed to deface it over time.Great idea huh ?

If done properly, they won't be damaged and it's a part of history that's great for people to see and experience. I climbed quite a few and they are super sturdy. I'm no expert, and neither are you, but I didn't see major damage due to over use. Some guard rails put up, etc. But I didn't see huge blocks of stone out of place, cracked, damaged, etc. Outside a few temples, there are few tourists cruising around. Mostly I ran into locals during my 3 days there.

I also walked a good section of the Great Wall of China. It's covered with thousands of people every day. People who get to enjoy their heritage. It was restored and looks great. If not restored, the site looks pretty bad. I waked a good section of the wall that wasn't restored. Hard to see anything. Pics of the wall, restored and not.

Apples and oranges..The wall was meant to walk on and constructed to be for that, ,a side of a temple was not.Again you want to destroy something for YOUR enjoyment disregarding the enjoyment of others in the future who may just want to see it in all of it;s original facade without repairs.Your line of thinking is called being selfish so as to please one's self for now.

[craigt3365]

Be nice. With all due respect, you have seen the steps built into these structures, right? Internal staircases, multiple platforms with steps to them, etc. So yes, they were meant to be walked on.

The ones built for this purpose and which are sturdy enough are open for tourists. Many are blocked off so nobody can climb on them. Just depends....