Myanmar Forever in My Heart: Pagodas of Memory That Bring Me to Tears

The 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Mandalay has nearly destroyed an entire city... 🌋 U Bein Bridge 🌉, Kuthodaw Pagoda , Maha Ganayon Monastery , Mandalay Palace 🏰, Mingun, Inwa, Mandalay Hill , Hsinbyume Pagoda ... Seven years have passed, yet I remember every corner of Mandalay vividly—especially those two Chinese restaurants that saved us from bland Burmese curry: Wangji Noodles 🍜 with its incredible Northwestern Chinese flavors, and Yixiangge's fiery Sichuan dishes . Now, it seems Mandalay Palace, U Bein Bridge, Kuthodaw Pagoda, the "cream cake" Hsinbyume Pagoda, Inwa, and Mingun are gone. My 2018 trip unknowingly captured the last moments of these architectural wonders. Of all the countries I've visited, Myanmar's cultural heritage and ancient architecture still rank first in my heart. I can still feel the burning-hot temple floors under my bare feet—a visceral memory that lingers. 👣 How I loved that summer of 2018: exploring countless pagodas by day 🏯, scrambling up stupas by dusk 🌄 just to witness those golden sunsets. If you, like me, cherish history and human craftsmanship, you'll understand this grief. The deeper the love, the sharper the loss. For seven years (2018-2025), I dreamed of returning—to drift along the Irrawaddy River 🚤, glide over Inle Lake's waters or soar above Bagan in a hot-air balloon at sunrise . Now I wonder: Is U Bein Bridge now rubble? 🧱 Do monks still process in thousand-strong silence? Do horse carts still jolt through Inwa's ruins? 🐎 I pray the earthquake spared these sacred landmarks—the soul of Myanmar's people—and that all in the disaster zone are safe. #Myanmar #Earthquake #Mandalay #Bagan #Yangon #TravelMemories #ArchitecturalBeauty #WorldHeritage