Bagan, One of the richest archaeological and historical sites in Asia, a large area with more than 2,000 pagodas and temple, is the capital of the first unified Empire founded by  Anawrahta in 849 AD, all set in a vast plain beside the legendary Ayeyarwaddy River. Bagan is just 193 km south of Mandalay in Upper Myanmar. After unifying the country, Anawrahta accomplished another noble deed for the country: he introduced Tharavada Buddhism into Myanmar with the help of Shin Arahan, a missionary monk from Thaton. It was Buddhism that influenced the rulers of Bagan Dynasty to build innumerable pagodas and temples in and around the city.

During the Bagan Era (11th to 13th century), Burmese was written for the first time. Bagan was the origin of Buddhism, as still practiced nowadays, and was the seat of religious learning of clergy and laity. Visitors to Bagan can be found on the steep steps waiting for the magical moment; as the sun sinks behind the already misty Ayeyarwaddy, It is also the starting/ending point of cruises on the Ayeyarwaddy River linking Bagan with Mandalay. A unique travel experience is a hot-air balloon flight over the Archaeological Zone which is available during the winter months. Bagan city covers an area of 42 sq.km, now features a variety of good hotels of various standards and the endless pagodas stand testimony to the rich cultural heritage of the Myanmars and also to the beauty and grandeur of ancient pagoda.
Zone fees: US $ 10

How to get there

Nyaung U is the stop off point for travelers arriving by air, rail, or river craft to visit nearby Bagan.

Tharabar, the Entrance of the conqueror!

The ruins of the main gate on the east wall are all that one of remain of 12 gates which was built in the old 9th century city. The gate is guarded by brother and sister nats, on the left and right. Traces of old stucco can still be seen on the gateway. This gate was used to welcome the warriors of the war victory.





Nyaung Oo Local Market

The regional market with a variety of fresh products of Anya and simple yet adorable customs can find out among their ways of life in that place together. Nyaung U market is also a combination of a wet bazaar for locals and a souvenir and crafts market for tourists.








The track of the greatest history

The majestic temples and golden pagodas are the symbols of the time when Theravada Buddhism first flourished in the country, after the King Anawrahta gave it full support in the 11th century. Some scholars think that the temples were made of bricks baked in kilns fired by wood from trees fell around Bagan which transformed the once lush area to arid land. However, early records described Bagan as already being hot and dry area. Bricks found at Bagan often bear stamps showing the names of towns or villages many miles away in every direction. The most stylish and great works of the ancient Myanmar can be seen.

Shwezigon Pagoda

Its golden mass giving it an air of weight and stability, the Shwezigon derives its name from Jeyyabhumi, "Ground of Victory". Two great kings, noted for their patronage of the Religion, are associated with the Shwezigon: Anawrahta (1044-1077) and Kyansittha (1084-1113).The golden-domed pagoda was left unfinished on King Anawrahta’s death and completed by his successor, King Kyansit-tha , who was the first elected king of Myanmar in 1084.  Tradition has it that the holy tooth, collar-bone and frontlet relics of the Buddha are enshrined in the Shwezigon, the tooth presented by the King of Ceylon, the frontlet obtained from Thayekhittaya near modern Prome.
Kyansittha then marshaled all his people and quarried rock from Mount Tuywin in the east to build the pagoda. Marvelously, the pagoda was finished in seven months and seven days, and chronicles record with some pride, "Shwezigon is famous in the world of men and the world of spirits as far as the world of Brahmas."Shwezigon Pagoda is the prototype for later Myanmar pagodas. There are green glazed plaques depicting scenes from the Jataka. The pagoda festival is held from late October to early November.

Kyansit-tha Umin

Not far from the Shwezigone Pagoda is Kyansith-tha Umin, a cave complex off the tourist route. It has murals from the13th century, depicting the armies of Kublai Khan that invaded in 1278.There is also a mural of musicians and dancers drawn with lines that might have come from the hand of Picaso








Ananda Temple

This is one of the finest, largest and best preserved masterpiece of the Bagan temples, built in 1091 by Kyansittha, the temple is said to represent the endless wisdom of the Buddha. The plan is that of a perfect Greek cross and the corridors are lined with glazed- clay plaques portraying scenes from Jataka tales and the Buddha’s life. There are 1447 plaques and they are the best of those in Bagan.The Ananda suffered considerable damage in the earthquake and in 1979 reconstruction took place.
In the center of the cube, four standing Buddha image curved from one trunk, nine and a half metres (30 feet) high, represent the four Buddha who have attained Nirvana. Only those facing north and south are original, the east and west facing images are replacements made more than two hundred years ago after the originals were destroyed by fire or theft. In the western sanctum, there are life size statues of the temple's founder and his Primate, while in the west porch there are two footprints of the Lord Buddha, on pedestals. The Ananda Pagoda festival held in January is a big event drawing pilgrims even from far away places.

Dhammanyangyi Pagoda

Extending approximately 255ft on each of its four sides, this hulking red brick temple, similar in plan to Ananda, is much more massive looking. It was built by King Narathu (1160-65). The mortar holding the brick is so thin; it is barely noticeable but so strong that even during earthquakes the temple remained unscathed! The interior of the temple is blocked by brickwork. The Dhammayangyi is the finest brickwork of Bagan.





Gubyaukgyi Temple (Myinkabar)

The donor Prince Rajakuma, for the sake of his father, King Kyansit tha, built in 12th century AD. He was content to allow his nephew, Alaung Sithu, to be named crown prince instead of him, for he had been born to a country woman and come too late to court. The stone inscription he left in four languages; Mon, Bamar, Pyu and Pali, is a beautiful dedication love to his father. It is noted for its wall paintings, depicting scenes from the previous lives of Buddha, protected from sunlight inside this dark temple are spectacular.


Htilominlo Temple

The 50 metres high Htilominlo Temple is one of the largest temples of Bagan. It was built about 1211 AD by King Nandaungmya. It’s a double-storied structure and it is noted for its fine plaster carvings on the arch-pediments, frieze and pilaster.









Thabinnyut Pagoda (to check)

The donor of this highest white-wash temple in Bagan, the “omniscient" temple rises to 61 metres (200 feet) was Alaungsithu, the longest king‘s reign in Bagan dynasty, around the mid-12th century. Repairs to earthquake damage were being completed in 1979. Slightly south-west of the Thatbyinnyu in a monastery compound there is stone supports which once held the temple's huge bronze bell. Northeast of the temple stands a small "tally pagoda" which was built of one brick for every 10,000 bricks used in the main temple. It overtops all other monuments and offers visitors a magnificent panorama of Bagan plains.

Shwegugyi Temple

An early example of a transition in architectural styles, which resulted in airy, lighter building, is one of the few temples that can be climbed to the roof, on narrow stairs cut into the thick wall.It was built by the third reign of Bagan, King Alungsithu in 11th AD, and it is standing on the high brick plinth. The arch - pediments, pilasters, plinth and conic molding are decorated with fine stucco carving, evidence of Myanmar architecture in early 12thcentury.




Manuha Temple

A square temple of captured King Manuha of Thaton is situated in the southern end of Myinkabar Village. The Manuha houses four immense images claustrophobically set in narrow niches. It was
Built in AD 1059, the king had erected himself this two-storey square white temple and through it conveyed a melancholy message as he who was brought to Bagan after King Anawrahta invaded his kingdom when the Tripitaka Buddhist canon was not loaned to him as request. It may know himself that whether Manuha was making a statement about his feeling as prisoner, although he was treated with full respect or else?

Gawdawpalin

This 12th century graceful temple was built by King Narapatisithu is about 60 metres high.  In plan it is somewhat similar to the Thatbyinnyu - cube shaped with Buddha images on the four sides of the ground floor. One of the largest and most imposing of the Bagan temples where from the upper terrace of the temple one can leisurely watch the sunset over the scenic beauty of the Ayeyarwaddy River with the backdrop of Tantkyitaung Hill and the panoramic view of ancient Bagan. The fading light gradually veils the ruined city of Bagan – a “Bagan Sunset”, and one will never forget the trip in Myanmar.


Pathothamaya

This 11 centaury temple, the Pahtothamaya was probably built during the reign of Kyanssittha (1084-1113).The interior of this single storey building is dimly lit, typical of this early type of Mon-influenced temple with its small, perforated stone windows

Shwesantaw

360˙sight of Bagan can scrutinize from Shwesandaw Pagoda which following his conquest of Thaton, Anawrahta built this very graceful circular pagoda in 1057. The four terraces once had terra-cotta plaques showing scenes from the Jataka, and the visitors like to climb up the western face to view sunsets and there is a handrail for safety. The pagoda bell rises from two octagonal bases, which top the five square terraces.




Shinbinthalyaung

Inside the long low hall of brick is a large reclining Buddha Image in the pose of death, for the head rest on the pillow and is not supported by the hand. This 11th century 18 metre (60 feet) reclining Buddha is situated right beside the Shwesandaw.

Buu Paya Pagoda

A pagoda spire in the shape of Gourd (Bu) is right on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, this pagoda has been claimed to be the oldest in Bagan, dating from the 3rd century AD. It was totally destroyed and collapsed into the river in the 1975 earthquake that damaged many temples and pagodas, but has been perfectly rebuilt as a replica. The Bu Pagoda is a conspicuous landmark for travellers along the river and is one of the jetties for Bagan and a favorite spot for visitors to watch the sunset too.

MahaBodhi Temple

The pyramidal spire, enclosed in niches each enclosing a seated Buddha figure, rises from a square block. Modeled after Indian style temples from a spire resembling the Mahabodhi temple at Budh Gaya., this pagoda is unique in Myanmar. It was built during the reign of King Nandaungmya (1211-1234).






Pitakat Taik (Archive)

Following the sack of Thaton, King Anawrahta carted off 30 elephant loads of Buddhist scriptures and built this library to house them in 1058. It was repaired in 1738. The architecture of the square building is notable for the perforated stone windows and the plaster carvings on the roof in reproduction of Myanmar woodcarvings.






Sulamani

The red brick Temple Sulamani is like the Htilominlo and the Gawdawpalin, this is a prime example of later more modish temple style, with better internal lighting. It stands beyond the Dhammayangyi Temple and was built in 1181 by Narapatisithu. During his reign Culture, Arts and Language flourished and Myanmar Language become polished and elegant. The interior was once painted with fine frescoes but only traces can be seen today.




Archaeological Museum

A collection of more than 2000 items from Bagan Era including Buddha statues of various kind, stucco pieces, baked brick with marks, terra-cotta cups and pots, sand stone images and many mores. This museum is run by Archaeology Department which is situated near the Ananda Temple.







Mt. Popa

About 60 km south-east of Bagan, Mount Popa,the oasis of the central Myanmar dry zone, is an extinct volcano with 1,500 meters high and the highest point within the Bago Yoma range. The main attraction of this region however is the smaller, 730-meter high conic rock Popa Taungkalat, also known as the “ Olympus of the Nats” because it is the abode of Myanmar's legendary 37 ‘Nats” (or spirits) where is an important nat worship center as well as a major pilgrimage destinations. Mt.Popa hosts two major “nat pwe”, spirit festival, on in the month of May / June and other in Nov / Dec. spirit possession and over all drunken ecstasy are still part of the celebration.  Climbing up by 700 sheer steps reach the top of the volcanic plug with its many shrines and a monastery, one has to be seen a crowd of monkeys on the way to top. This effort will be rewarded many times by the extraordinary panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Around the area of the Popa Mountain, there is the Popa National Park with dense sandalwood forests and rare species of birds and butterflies worth a walk or a trek and also has been designated as a National Park, a perfect place for eco-tourism.

Sale (Salay)

It is a small town about 15 km south of Bagan, down the Ayeyarwaddy River. But it is worth visiting for its exceptional 18th century wood carving works at “U Pone Nya” Museum, formerly the Yoke Sone Monastery, exhibits antique lacquer wares, wooden relief and a large standing gilded Buddha image. The figures carved on the facade of the building are worth seeing. Near by one can observe antique 13th century lacquer-ware Buddha Image. Another place worth visiting is Tha-ta-na Kyaung (Keythar monastery) where Tipitaka texts are housed in a large red lacquered cabinet. The pleasurable way to get there is going by one of the small motor boats which usually leave Bagan from the Bu-Hpaya jetty.