Bagan

The main tourist destination in Myanmar is Bagan, capital of the first Myanmar Empire; one of the richest archaeological sites in South-east Asia. Situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyawaddy River. The Magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for nearly 1000 years. Bagan covers an area of 42sq.km containing over 2000 well-preserved pagodas and temples of the 11th-13th century.

Sightseeing in Bagan

Ananda Temple

Probably the finest largest and best preserved of all the Bagan temples. Ananda Temple suffered considerable damage in the earthquakes in history. The Ananda, built by Kyansittha in 1090, is on a larger scale than the pahtothamya and the Apeyadana and is significantly different in form. The temple is said to represent the endless wisdom of the Buddha.

Thatbyinnyu Temple

Thatbyinnyu (or That-byin-nyu, "the Omniscient") Phaya was one of King Sithu's (or Alaungsithu, r. 1113-1167) finest legacies to the Bagan region. The temple was built in 1144. Located just inside the southeastern corner of the old city wall, Thatbyinnyu is Bagan's tallest temple at almost 200 ft.

Gawdawpalin Temple

The Gawdawpalin Pahto was built during the reign of Narapatisithu (1174-1211) and completed during the reign of his successor, Nadaungmya (or Htilominlo, 1211-1234). It is Bagan's second tallest and most imposing of the Bagan temples. The Gawdawpalin a large eastward-facing two-story temple set on a low platform in the center of a walled enclosure with four gateways. Severly damaged by the earthquake of 1975. The tip of the temple, was as high as 180 feet (55m). It is located just to the north of the present Archaeological Museum.

Bupaya Pagoda (Bu Pagoda)

Situated right on the river bank of the Ayeyarwaddy, this pagoda has been claimed to be the oldest in Bagan, dating back to 3rd century AD. The shape is extraordinary being in the shape of a gourd. It was completely destroyed when it tumbled into the river in the 1975 earthquake, but has been totally rebuilt. The Bupaya is setting on a polygonal platform made up of a series of crenulated semi-circular terraces overlooking the river; it has long served as a conspicuous landmark for river travelers. The Bupaya is also a favorite place to watch the sunset.

Tharabar Gateway

The gateway was built during the 9th century, by King Pyin Pyar Min (A.D 846-878). He built the fortress of Bagan with 12 gateways. The Tharaba Gateway was located on the east side of the palace. It was used as the main gate to the city. "Tharaba" meaning "The Gate which can prevent the arrows of the enemy". The gate is guarded by Min Maha Giri (the brother) and Namadaw (the sister) spirits on each side of the gate. They were brutally killed by the king lest the mighty brother would become a rival to the throne. The images are still kept in the gate shrines and given respect by the people of Bagan and the neighbouring area.

Sulamani Temple

The Sulamani (occasionally Sulamuni) Guphaya, or Pahto, is one of Bagan's premier temple attractions. The name itself means Crowning Jewel or Small Ruby. It was the first and most important temple of the late period (1170-1300) of Bagan monument building. It was one of many temples and stupas built by Narapatisithu. This temple is similar to Htilominlo and the Gawdawpalin in architecture but with better interior lighting. It stands beyond the Dhammayangyi Temple. Important features of the Sulamani include its fine brickwork and use of stone in both load-bearing areas as well as on vulnerable external corner elements. The interior was once painted with fine frescoes but only dim traces can be seen today.

Dhammayangyi Temple

It is one of the four famous pagodas in Bagan. King Narathu built Dhammayangyi temple during A.D 1165. The name Dhammayangyi came from the word Dhamma Ranthi. The Dhammayangyi, extending approximately 255 feet on each of its four sides, is Bagan’s most massive shrine. Among the four extraordinary temples in Bagan, Dhammayangyi is well known for the mass and thickness of the temple. The Dhammayangyi remains one of the most unique and intriguin.

Bagan Archaeological Museum

The new Bagan Archaeological Museum was opened on 17 April 1998. It is now a three storey building built in an octagonal design as the base. The building is fully furnished with Myanmar handicrafts. On the top floor, you can see the most scenic view of Bagan and it's prehistoric pagodas. The Bagan Archaeological Museum is one of the most important places you should visit while you are in Bagan.

Shwezigon Pagoda

Shwezigon Pagoda is located in the town of Nyaung Oo four miles to the northeast of the ancient city of Bagan. It is 160 feet high and 160 feet wide at the base. Built in the early Bagan period on an open plain, this pagoda inspires faith even today, bringing joy to the hearts of monks and laymen alike as they behold its brilliant golden color.

Htilominlo Temple

The Htilominlo Pahto was built by King Nandaungmyar (Htilominlo) (A.D 1211-1230). There was a commemoration of the selection on this spot as crown prince from among five sons of the king. The white umbrella had tilted toward him, and he became his father's successor. "Htilominlo" descended from the Mon words "Tri Lawka Mingalar", meaning "the most prestigious place among the three phases".

Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyi-in)

A 13th century temple with a spire resembling the Mahabodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya in India: the Gubyaukgyi is noted for its wall paintings, depicting scenes from the previous lives of the Buddha. The ceiling of this temple is full of wall paintings and the halls have enough lights to view these clearly. There is a Buddha Image in the first hallway and with the marvelous paintings of the Man-Nat at the back of the image.

The main entrance of the temple is large and the paintings of the halls can be seen very clearly. Located on the northern and southern side of the temple, are the twenty eight Buddha images. The walls are full of carvings in many different ways. Tourists can have a great chance in viewing the ancient carvings, paintings and more.

Manuha Temple

The Manuha temple is on the right side of the main road going south from Bagan,and right in Myinkaba village. King Manuha's inscription says that it was built in AD 1067 about a decade after the Mon king was brought to Bagan. Traditionally, Manuha was considered one of the earliest temples at Pagan.

Lawkananda Pagoda

The Lawkananda Stupa is believed to have been built in 1059 by King Anawratha at the edge of Ayeyarwaddy river to shelter a counterpart of the tooth, relic sent by the king of Sri Lanka and preserved in Shwezigon. Situated at the edge of the river, this large gilded Stupa is one of the prominent visual landmarks of Bagan and can be seen by all boats that pass along the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Around Bagan

Mt.Popa

Mt. Popa is an extinct volcano that is estimated to have erupted for the final time, over three hundred and twenty thousand years ago. Popa is popularly recognized as an abode of many "Nats" (spirits of ancient ancestors) who dwell in various parts of the mountain. In the days of old, it also used to be referred to as the "Mountain of Spirits". The evidence of these beliefs is abundant in the form of "nat shrines", leg- ends, rituals, ceremonial offerings, annual representative festivals, and the never- ending stream of pilgrims and believers in mysticism.

Salay

Visitors to the ancient capital Bagan often make a 20 miles (15 kilometers) trip south to see Sale (pronounced Sa-lay), an ancient town rich in Myanmar culture. Sale is also on the great Ayeyawady River, like Bagan, another pleasurable way to get there is to go by one of the small motor boats available for hire and which usually leave Bagan from the Bu-Hpaya jetty.

Yoke Sone Monastery

Sale is famous for its Yoke-sone Kyaung (a 19th century wooden monastery) with exquisite wooden carvings. The whole building is built of wood and is a fine example of monastic architecture of the late Konbaung Period. The main attraction of the monastery is the decorative wooden panels made by the master carvers of the period whose meticulous workmanship is in many ways superior to those of later periods.

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