Bagan

Over 2000 Temples and Pagodas (11th – 13th centuries) lies in 42 sq.km makes Bagan one of the richest archaeological site in Asia. Bagan was founded at the present site by King Pyinbyu in 849 A.D.. And Bagan became the capital of first Myanmar Empire after King Anawrahta came to throne in 1044 A.D.. Visiting Pagodas and temples, sunset river cruise in legendary Ayeyarwaddy River, browsing the museum, visit lacquer ware factory will help you remember the best memory of your life.

Ananda Temple

Ananda temple is considered to be one of the most surviving masterpiece of the Mon architecture. Also known as the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. It is said to have been built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this perfectly proportioned temple heralds the stylistic end of the Early Bagan period and the beginning of the Middle period. During the 1975 earthquake, Ananda suffered considerable damage but has been totally restored.

Thatbyinnyu Temple

Thatbyinnyu Temple is among one of the four significant monuments in Bagan. The temple is towering above the other monuments of Bagan, the magnificence in white which is the Thatbyinnyu takes its name from the Omniscience of the Buddha. Built by King Alaungsithu (1113-1163), the Thatbyinnyu is a transitional temple, standing between the Early Style of the Ananda, half a mile to the northeast, and the Late Style of the Gawdawpalin, half a mile to the northwest. It is one of the earliest double-storeyed temples, but the arrangement is different from that of later double-storeyed temples, much as if it were still an experiment in the new form.

Gadawtpalin Temple

Gadawtpalin Temple is located about 3 miles south of the Bu Pagoda on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is about 180 feet high and the structure is common like the Sulamani temple. Gadawtpalin is counted as one of the largest shrines of Bagan. The temple is a double-storeyed temple in the late style. It is square in plan, with porticoes on all four sides, but with the eastern portico projecting further than the others. In the ground storey, a vaulted corridor runs around a central block against whose four sides are placed images of the Buddha.

Shwezigon Pagoda

Shwezigon was built as the most important reliquary shrine in Bagan, a centre of prayer and reflection for the new Theravada faith King Anawarahta had established in Bagan. The pagoda is standing between the village of Wetkyi-in and Nyaung U. It is a beautiful pagoda and was commenced by King Anawrahta but not completed until the reign of King Kyanzittha.

Dhammayangyi Temple

Dhammayangyi Temple is the most massive structure in Bagan which has a similar architectural plan to Ananda Temple. It was built by King Narathu (1167-70). The temple is located about a kilometer to the southeast of the city walls directing Minnanthu.

Bu Pagoda

Bu Paya means the "a gourd shape pagoda". It was built by the third king of Bagan, Pyusawhti (AD 162-243), on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. This cylindrical Pyu-style stupa is said to be the oldest in Bagan. The distinctively shaped bulbous stupa stands above rows of crenellated terraces. The view from the river is also a breath-taking one.

Htilominlo Temple

Htilominlo Temple is situated in Nyaung U and Wetkyi-In Region of Bagan. The temple is about 1.5 km northeast of Bagan. This large temple was built by King Nantaungmya in 1218. Inside the 46-metre-high temple, which is similar in design to Sulamani Temple, there are four Buddhas on the lower and upper floors. Traces of old murals are also still visible. Fragments of the original fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations have survived on the outside. The doorways feature nice carved reliefs.

Mingalar Zedi Pagoda

Mingalar Zedi Pagoda or the "Blessing Stupa" lies close to the Ayeyarwaddy River Bank. The Pagoda was built in 1277 by King Narathihapati. It was the very last of the large late period monuments to be built before the kingdom's decline, thus representing the final flowering of Bagan's architectural skills. Mingalarzedi is noted for its fine proportions and for the many beautiful glazed jataka tiles around its three square terraces. Mingalarzedi's uppermost terrace is one of the highest points now accessible to visitors. Being the westernmost monument at Bagan, it's a particularly good spot for a panoramic afternoon view of all the monuments lying to the east.

Tharabar Gate

Tharabar Gate is the main gateway to the ancient Bagan city. It is the eastern gate of the old wall. It is now the only structure left of the old city built by King Pyinbya. It was built in 849 A.D during the 9th century. The western and northern part of the city wall were washed away by the river. Although most of the structure is ruined, stucco carvings of the ogres can still be found. The gate is known to be guarded by spiritual beings.

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 Bagan. There is a large seated Buddha image, with the right hand touching the earth. Two smaller Buddha imagesflank this large image on each side. There is also a huge reclining Buddha image in an adjoining chamber at the back, with the head pointing to the north which symbolises the dying Buddha about to enter Parinibbana, the Demise.

Gubyaukgyi Temple (Myinkaba)

Gubyaukgyi Myinkaba Temple is situated just to the left of the road as you enter Myinkaba. This temple was built in 1113 by Kyanzittha's son Rajakumar, on his father's death. The temple is in an Indian style, the monument consists of a large shrine room attached to a smaller antechamber. The fine stuccowork on its exterior walls is in particularly good condition. The Early period temple is also of particular interest for the well-preserved paintings inside, which are thought to date from the original construction of the temple and to be the oldest remaining in Bagan.

Sulamani Temple

Sulamani Temple is located in Minnanthu region, in the center of Bagan. The temple was built by King Narapatisithu in 1183 AD. It is a cave pagoda and massive in Structure. It's entrance was decorated by Superb architectural works of art. Like the Htilominlo and the Gawdawpalin this is a prime example of later, more sophisticated temple style, with better internal lighting. Combining the horizontal planes of the early period with the vertical lines of the middle, the temple features two storeys standing on broad terraces assembled to create a pyramid effect. The brickwork throughout is considered some of the best in Bagan.

Bagan Archaeological Museum

The Bagan Archaeological Museum, in the shape of an octagonal shaped museum building, is situated near the Gawdawtpalin Pagoda. In it were displayed very rare and fragile artifacts excavated from ruined Bagan monuments. There are many display rooms containing visual arts of the Bagan Period, religious themes, visual Buddhist arts and an art gallery.Above the second floor is the flat roof of the whole building from where pilgrims, visitors and tourists can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire "pagoda land" of Bagan.

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. Popa today is one of the most popular pilgrimage spots in the country.

Sale

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 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.