Myanmar's Ruins To Become Tourist Attractions

The Myanmar government has begun a massive rebuilding effort to 'restore' some of the country's ancient temples. But the rebuilding effort makes no attempt to preserve the history of the sites, opting to rebuild the areas into tourist attractions.

1 minute read

September 11, 2006, 6:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

Many in the historic preservation and archaeological communities are aghast at Myanmar's temple rebuilding efforts. One of the most important Buddhist sites in the world is being reconstructed from the foundation up based on one page of drawings. The 13th century temple in Bagan will soon be a 21st century tourist attraction.

"Known as Monument No. 751, the structure is one of hundreds of new temples that have popped up all over the ancient city of Bagan, which ranks with Cambodia's Angkor temple complex as one of Asia's most remarkable religious sites. Once the scene of an international rescue effort, Bagan is now in danger of becoming a temple theme park."

" 'They are carrying out reconstruction based on complete fantasy," said an American archeologist who asked not to be identified for fear of being banned from the country. "It completely obliterates any historical record of what was there.' "

FULL STORY: From Ruins to Ruined

Thursday, September 7, 2006 in The Los Angeles Times

Architecture Community / Economic Development History / Preservation Land Use South Asia

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