U Bein Bridge Bridge

Address: U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Mandalay Region, Myanmar

U Bein Bridge is a teakwood footbridge that spans Taungthaman Lake near the township of Amarapura in Mandalay Region, Myanmar. The bridge measures roughly 1.2 kilometres and is built almost entirely of teak reclaimed from a former royal palace.

The bridge is notable for its long line of teak posts set into the lake and for offering extensive waterfront views; many visitors cross it on foot, take boat trips under and beside it, and photograph it at sunrise and sunset. The structure is supported by more than one thousand teak posts and remains a working pedestrian crossing.

The bridge was constructed in the mid-19th century by U Bein, a local mayor, using timber salvaged from the royal palace at Inwa as Amarapura ceased to be the royal capital. It has been maintained and repaired periodically since then to preserve the wooden structure.

U Bein Bridge lies on Taungthaman Lake just outside Amarapura, a township immediately southwest of Mandalay city in central Myanmar. The site is accessible by road from Mandalay and by small boats across the lake.

• Length and construction: Crosses Taungthaman Lake and is the world’s longest and oldest surviving teakwood bridge at about 1.2 kilometres in length.
• Best time to visit: Best light and photographic conditions occur at sunrise and sunset, when the wooden bridge is reflected in the lake and local fishermen are active.

U Bein Bridge is outside Mandalay in the township of Amarapura. From central Mandalay it’s about an 10-15 km drive (roughly 20-30 minutes by taxi, car or local bus depending on traffic) to Amarapura; once in Amarapura the bridge is a short walk from the main road and local bus stops (a few minutes). Many visitors use taxis, shared cars or local buses/tuk‑tuks from Mandalay.

• Arrive for sunrise or especially sunset when the bridge and surrounding lake are at their most photogenic and local fishermen and monks provide authentic daily-life scenes.
• Hire a local boatman to take you under the bridge for low-angle shots and reflections-boats are inexpensive and give access to compositions you can't get from the shore.
• If you want fewer tourists in your photos, go at first light on weekdays; the bridge becomes crowded with tour groups and locals later in the morning and at golden hour.