Myanmar’s cultural heritage sites, including the Mandalay Palace walls and other ancient structures, suffered significant damage from the Sagaing earthquake that struck on March 28. The Department of Archaeology and National Museum, under the military council, has requested technical assistance from China to restore these damaged historical sites. In particular, 27 ancient sites including Taungthaman Stone Buddha, Makhara Golden Pagoda, and May Nu Brick Monastery require restoration work.
On June 16, the Director-General of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum and his team met with Chinese cultural heritage conservation experts in Mandalay. Experts from China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration and Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration conducted field visits to examine earthquake-damaged ancient buildings in Mandalay and Sagaing regions. The Chinese expert team visited 27 historical sites in Mandalay, Inwa, Makhara, and Sagaing areas from June 10 to 11, and they plan to further examine the Mandalay Palace walls.
The military council has requested, as part of Myanmar-China friendship, the restoration of one complete section of the Mandalay Palace walls, including city gates, archer posts, watchtowers, turrets, spires, and fire barriers. Additionally, they have sought technical assistance to preserve the valuable and intricately designed ancient buildings damaged by the earthquake in their original form and prevent further deterioration. The Chinese experts have promised to provide necessary data and reports regarding the restoration work. These ancient structures represent significant cultural heritage sites that require careful preservation and restoration to maintain their historical integrity.
