Located JUST 20 km southwest of Mandalay, Inwa was a former capital of Myanmar for nearly 400 years – also known as AVA during the colonial period. Visiting Inwa is more like stepping into rural Myanmar than travelling back in time. The remnants of this royal city are interspersed between paddy fields and villages, the crumbling city walls merely a backdrop for country life. Inwa is famous for its watch tower which is also known as leaning tower of Ava, the Bagayar Monastery.