Myanmar: Inwa

Inwa was the capital of Myanmar for 5 times in its history for a combined cumulative of 360 years between 14th and 19th centuries. At that time it was known as the Kingdom of Ava, and that is how it was known to Europeans for centuries. It was a massive sprawling fortified city with palaces, temples, walls, etc. Until in 1842 a massive earthquake absolutely level everything and the city was subsequently abandoned. Of the monuments still standing are beautiful Bonzan Monastery, several stupas, Ava Palace watchtower (the leaning tower of Ava), and the wooden Bagaya Monastery. Otherwise, Inwa now is a forgotten rural enclave with no roads, cars, and endless rice fields.
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