Yandabo: Treaty and Pottery on the Ayeyawady

Yandabo lies on the east bank of the Ayeyawady. History and pottery offer two distinct ways to explore the town: the treaty is part of its historical story, while local pottery traditions represent its craft heritage. For geographical orientation, Yandabo lies 40 miles south of the ancient city of Inwa and six miles upriver from Myingyan. Inwa serves as the southern reference point, while Myingyan marks the location upriver.

Treaty and remembrance

The armistice treaty of the First Anglo-Myanmar War was signed in Yandabo and is known as the Yandabo Treaty. The village is home to the Yandabo Monument, which commemorates the treaty signed there and highlights the importance of national unity. The treaty and monument represent two different dimensions: the historical event and its remembrance in the spirit of national unity.

Pottery traditions and production

Yandabo Village was an important centre of the pottery industry during successive eras of the Myanmar monarchy. The Ministry of Tourism states that skilled artisans in Yandabo may produce 30 to 50 pots a day. These figures represent two different measures: the industry’s historical significance spans several eras, while the production range describes the possible daily output of skilled artisans.

Two different perspectives help bring the craft to life: the movement involved in shaping the pottery and the range of products mentioned at the time. A commercial account of pottery techniques in Yandabo describes a potter’s wheel fixed to a stake at the bottom of a shallow pit. One hand turns the wheel while the other shapes the pot. The technique makes the process easy to picture: the wheel turns as the pot takes shape, making not only the finished vessel but also its production understandable.

A visitor report about a visit on 31 December 2014 recounts that potters could then be seen shaping and subsequently tapping the pots. The report lists water jugs, steamers, rice pots, piggy banks and horseshoe-shaped stoves among the products made at the time. It also gives a specific account of the family workshops: clay was delivered to the riverbank and stored in the yards; straw, leaves, kindling and wood were kept ready for firing. The workshops had both open and covered work areas. The account brings the craft to life through both the work on the vessels and the materials and workshop setting.

What you can plan for your stay

A tourism account describes watching potters at work as a visitor experience in Yandabo. Check in advance whether this is possible during your visit. This distinction is useful for planning your trip: the treaty and monument lead to the town’s history, while pottery can be experienced both as a historic trade and through the production process. If you would like to make the town’s history and craft the focus of your stay, search specifically for a holiday rental in Yandabo.

Discover more destinations: Mogok, Pyin Oo Lwin, Kyaukse, Popaywa, Nyaung U, Mandalay

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