Theravada monks laughing at twilight in Amarapura, Mandalay Region

Buddhist monks laugh as the sun sets behind the Amarapura Bridge, about 11 kilometres from Mandalay. Amarapura used to be the former capital of Burma during the XIXth century. It was then supplanted by Mandalay, today the most religious city in the country. Amarapura is also known for its cotton and silk weaving and for its talented bronze casters. The U-Bein bridge stretches for 1,2 kilometres, making it the longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Photo taken in Jan. 2015 © Elena Brunello