The ancient city of Inwa, located in Tada-U Township of Mandalay Region, is preparing for nomination to the World Heritage List, according to a representative from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Mandalay Branch).
Efforts are intensifying to nominate Inwa, which thrived during the Inwa period around 400 years ago, for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Researchers are currently gathering and compiling essential information to support the city’s bid for recognition.
“We are researching the numbers of ancient pagodas and buildings within Inwa’s buffer zone, along with their histories, in accordance with UNESCO guidelines,” the representative stated.
Inwa, covering an area of 7 square miles, boasts a rich history with 961 buildings and pagodas spread across the Property Area and Buffer Area. To bolster its nomination, officials are cataloguing these structures, with nearly 300 buildings already documented and ongoing efforts to complete the inventory.
The representative also mentioned, “Research guidelines used by countries like China or Italy on Inwa’s historical sites could be incorporated into our nomination dossier, enhancing our application through international cooperation”.
In preparation for World Heritage Site status, Inwa is undergoing improvements, including informative guide maps featuring photos and detailed historical information for each temple and building. There are also plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism to develop a tourism network road and enhance tourism infrastructure in the future. — Maung Aye Chan/TRKM
