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The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions.<br/><br/> The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.<br/><br/> The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.
The Setkyathiha Paya was built in 1884 by King Thibaw. The temple contains a 5m tall bronze Buddha image originally cast by King Bagyidaw of Ava in 1823. The image was moved from Ava (Inwa) to Amarapura in 1849 when the Burmese capital moved there. It finally ended up in Mandalay in 1884, again when the capital was moved.<br/><br/> Mandalay, a sprawling city of more than 1 million people, was founded in 1857 by King Mindon to coincide with an ancient Buddhist prophecy. It was believed that Gautama Buddha visited the sacred mount of Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that on the 2,400th anniversary of his death, a metropolis of Buddhist teaching would be founded at the foot of the hill.
The Setkyathiha Paya was built in 1884 by King Thibaw. The temple contains a 5m tall bronze Buddha image originally cast by King Bagyidaw of Ava in 1823. The image was moved from Ava (Inwa) to Amarapura in 1849 when the Burmese capital moved there. It finally ended up in Mandalay in 1884, again when the capital was moved.<br/><br/> Mandalay, a sprawling city of more than 1 million people, was founded in 1857 by King Mindon to coincide with an ancient Buddhist prophecy. It was believed that Gautama Buddha visited the sacred mount of Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that on the 2,400th anniversary of his death, a metropolis of Buddhist teaching would be founded at the foot of the hill.
The Setkyathiha Paya was built in 1884 by King Thibaw. The temple contains a 5m tall bronze Buddha image originally cast by King Bagyidaw of Ava in 1823. The image was moved from Ava (Inwa) to Amarapura in 1849 when the Burmese capital moved there. It finally ended up in Mandalay in 1884, again when the capital was moved.<br/><br/> Mandalay, a sprawling city of more than 1 million people, was founded in 1857 by King Mindon to coincide with an ancient Buddhist prophecy. It was believed that Gautama Buddha visited the sacred mount of Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that on the 2,400th anniversary of his death, a metropolis of Buddhist teaching would be founded at the foot of the hill.
The Setkyathiha Paya was built in 1884 by King Thibaw. The temple contains a 5m tall bronze Buddha image originally cast by King Bagyidaw of Ava in 1823. The image was moved from Ava (Inwa) to Amarapura in 1849 when the Burmese capital moved there. It finally ended up in Mandalay in 1884, again when the capital was moved.<br/><br/> Mandalay, a sprawling city of more than 1 million people, was founded in 1857 by King Mindon to coincide with an ancient Buddhist prophecy. It was believed that Gautama Buddha visited the sacred mount of Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that on the 2,400th anniversary of his death, a metropolis of Buddhist teaching would be founded at the foot of the hill.
The Setkyathiha Paya was built in 1884 by King Thibaw. The temple contains a 5m tall bronze Buddha image originally cast by King Bagyidaw of Ava in 1823. The image was moved from Ava (Inwa) to Amarapura in 1849 when the Burmese capital moved there. It finally ended up in Mandalay in 1884, again when the capital was moved.<br/><br/> Mandalay, a sprawling city of more than 1 million people, was founded in 1857 by King Mindon to coincide with an ancient Buddhist prophecy. It was believed that Gautama Buddha visited the sacred mount of Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that on the 2,400th anniversary of his death, a metropolis of Buddhist teaching would be founded at the foot of the hill.
The Setkyathiha Paya was built in 1884 by King Thibaw. The temple contains a 5m tall bronze Buddha image originally cast by King Bagyidaw of Ava in 1823. The image was moved from Ava (Inwa) to Amarapura in 1849 when the Burmese capital moved there. It finally ended up in Mandalay in 1884, again when the capital was moved.<br/><br/> Mandalay, a sprawling city of more than 1 million people, was founded in 1857 by King Mindon to coincide with an ancient Buddhist prophecy. It was believed that Gautama Buddha visited the sacred mount of Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that on the 2,400th anniversary of his death, a metropolis of Buddhist teaching would be founded at the foot of the hill.
The Setkyathiha Paya was built in 1884 by King Thibaw. The temple contains a 5m tall bronze Buddha image originally cast by King Bagyidaw of Ava in 1823. The image was moved from Ava (Inwa) to Amarapura in 1849 when the Burmese capital moved there. It finally ended up in Mandalay in 1884, again when the capital was moved.<br/><br/> Mandalay, a sprawling city of more than 1 million people, was founded in 1857 by King Mindon to coincide with an ancient Buddhist prophecy. It was believed that Gautama Buddha visited the sacred mount of Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that on the 2,400th anniversary of his death, a metropolis of Buddhist teaching would be founded at the foot of the hill.
Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Buppharam was originally constructed in 1497. In 1797 Chao (Prince) Kawila, a scion of the Tipchak dynasty, began his ritual circumambulation of Chiang Mai from this point. This ritual was required to formally re-occupy the city after two centuries of Burmese domination.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Mae Sot is a town in Tak Province, western Thailand. It shares a border with Burma to the west. It is notable as a trade hub and for its substantial population of Burmese migrants and refugees. The town is the main land gateway between Thailand and Burma. As a result it has also gained notoriety for its trade in gems and teak, as well as black market services such as people trafficking and drugs.
In 1436, King Sam Fang Kaen of Chiang Mai arranged for a procession of the Emerald Buddha image from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. The elephant carrying the image ran towards Lampang and on reaching Lampang refused to move. The king issued an order to place the image within Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao. 32 years later it was moved to Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao (The Monastery of the Emerald Buddha on the Water Jar Knoll) is Lampang's most important temple having onced housed the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaeo Morakot). The Emerald Buddha now resides in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo (part of the Grand Palace complex), the most important temple in Thailand.<br/><br/> Lampang was originally founded during the 7th century Dvaravati period. Nothing remains from these early times, but the city is rich in temples, many of which have a distinctly Burmese flavour as Lampang had a substantial Burmese population in the 19th century, most of whom were involved in the logging industry.
In 1436, King Sam Fang Kaen of Chiang Mai arranged for a procession of the Emerald Buddha image from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. The elephant carrying the image ran towards Lampang and on reaching Lampang refused to move. The king issued an order to place the image within Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao. 32 years later it was moved to Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao (The Monastery of the Emerald Buddha on the Water Jar Knoll) is Lampang's most important temple having onced housed the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaeo Morakot). The Emerald Buddha now resides in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo (part of the Grand Palace complex), the most important temple in Thailand.<br/><br/> Lampang was originally founded during the 7th century Dvaravati period. Nothing remains from these early times, but the city is rich in temples, many of which have a distinctly Burmese flavour as Lampang had a substantial Burmese population in the 19th century, most of whom were involved in the logging industry.
In the south-east corner of Chiang Mai's old city stands Wat Myanmar, a fine example of a 19th century Burmese temple which would not look out of place in Mandalay. This temple is mainly associated with the lowland Burman tradition in the city, and pictures of the Shwedagon Pagoda and Sule Pagoda in Yangon (Rangoon) adorn the walls.
The Shwedagon Pagoda, officially called Shwedagon Zedi Daw), also known as the Golden Pagoda, is a 98 metres (322 ft) gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon (Rangoon), Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city.<br/><br/> It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese, with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within, namely the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight hairs of Gautama, the historical Buddha.
Mandalay Palace was constructed between 1857 and 1859 as part of King Mindon's new royal capital city of Mandalay, in fulfillment of a Buddhist prophecy that a religious center would be built at the foot of Mandalay Hill.<br/><br/> In 1861 the court was transferred to the newly built city from the previous capital of Amarapura. The plan of Mandalay Palace largely follows the traditional Burmese palace design, inside a walled fort surrounded by a moat. The palace itself is at the center of the citadel and faces east. All buildings of the palace are of one story in height. The palace was the primary royal residence of King Mindon and King Thibaw, the last two kings of the country.<br/><br/> On Nov. 28, 1885, the British entered the palace and captured the royal family, officially ending the Third Anglo-Burmese War. The British looted the palace, and turned the palace compound into Fort Dufferin. Much of the palace compound was burned down during World War II by allied bombing; only the royal mint and the watch tower survived. A replica of the palace was rebuilt in the 1990s with some modern materials.<br/><br/> Today, Mandalay Palace is a primary symbol of Mandalay and a major tourist destination.
Wat Ku Tao dates from the 16th century. Its unusual chedi, the 'watermelon stupa', is unique in Northern Thailand and its neighbours.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai, sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city is on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall, since nearby Burma was a constant threat.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.
This painting, by an unknown Burmese artist, is from a watercolour sketch album dating from c.1897 that includes illustrations of Buddhist monks, the Buddha, monasteries, cremations and domestic scenes.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BCE when Sohn Uttar Sthavira, one of the royal monks to Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with other monks and sacred texts. However, the era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.
Wat Saen Fang was originally constructed in the 14th century, but none of the structures visible today date from before the 19th century.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai is often called Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, and is the country’s second city and a popular tourist destination due primarily to its mountainous scenery, colourful ethnic hilltribes and their handicrafts.<br/><br/> Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of his Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai was later overrun by Burmese invaders in 1767. The city was then left abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with local prince Chao Kavila, after the Siamese King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance.