MT News
After restoration works on 387 pagodas out of 389 pagodas in Bagan, which were hit by an earthquake in 2016, were completed with the help of China; renovation works for Thatbyinnyu temple are underway within ten years, according to an official from Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).
Myanmar and China signed Memorandum of Understanding in September, 2018 for restoration and maintenance of Thatbyinnyu Temple, the highest temple in the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone.
Although a Chinese archeological team is expected to begin restoration works in September, 2020 in Myanmar, they are not able come due to COVID-19 pandemic. The opening ceremony of Thatbyinnyu temple restoration project was held only in January this year, and after the Chinese archeological team arrived in Bagan on 12 April, they have carried out preliminary assessments and restoration work.
The Chinese government offered to implement renovation work for Thatbyinnyu temple, which needs long-term maintenance, with its budget.
Currently, the renovation works have begun since September and the estimated period of the project is about ten years. The Heritage Impact Assessment was verified to construct temporary office and temporary warehouse for experts from China. Under the bilateral MoU, officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (MoRAC) allowed arranging for construction land, clearing the surface or underground obstacles, building the supportive infrastructure in project site, transportation routes for tools, water supply and drainage, distribution of electricity to targeted places for the project.
