Naypyidaw, Myanmar - Myanmar's ancient city of Bagan is “very likely” to be listed as a World Heritage site, a Unesco official said, promising a boon to a tourist attraction battered by a recent earthquake.
Bagan is home to more than 2 000 ancient Buddhist monuments that are among Myanmar's most venerated religious sites and is a major attraction for its nascent tourist industry.
The former military junta tried to get Bagan listed as a World Heritage site about 20 years ago but was rebuffed, seemingly because of haphazard renovations under its rule.
An earthquake last month destroyed many of those botched restorations.
That will allow fresh work more in keeping with the original design, Unesco said, boosting Bagan's chances of taking a coveted place on the list of the world's most prized cultural artefacts.
AFP