Top Bagan Attractions

The very first thing you should delve into is Bagan temples which poke out of the jungle and village huts. Amongst thousands, these are the most prominent :

Shwezigon Pagoda
This is a prototype of Burmese stupas, and consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. Construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta and was completed in 1102 AD, during the reign of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The pagoda is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha.

Htilomino Temple
A Buddhist temple located in Bagan (formerly Pagan), in Burma/Myanmar, built during the reign of King Htilominlo (also known as Nandaungmya) in 1211. The temple is three stories tall, with a height of 46 metres (150 feet), and built with red brick. It is also known for its elaborate plaster moldings

Dhammayangyi temple
The most massive structure in Bagan which has a similar architectural plan to Ananda Temple. It was built by King Narathu (1167-70), who was also known as Kalagya Min, the ‘king killed by Indians’. The temple is located about a kilometer to the southeast of the city walls Minnanthu.

Gawdawpalin Temple
The Gawdawpalin Temple was built by King Narapatisithu after building the Sulamani Temple. But the king did not complete the construction. It was completed by his son Htilominlo. It 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.

Sulami Temple
Built in 1181 by Narapatisithu (1174-1211), Sulami temple Combines 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. Some part of the temple was damaged during 1975 by the earthquake.

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. During the 1975 earthquake, Ananda suffered considerable damage but has been totally restored.

For a day trip out of Bagan, Mountain Popa is a perfect choice. It is known as an extinct volcano and the  of the 37 spirits. The Mount Popa is a distinctive mountain in this region. It is an old volcano forming the northern offshoot of the Bago Yoma mountain range, occupying the lower central region. The mountain is 4900 feet high above the sea-level. From the Ayeyarwaddy River, it is about 65 kilometers away.

Bagan Experiences

Temples hopping is the most common experience that you should soak up in Bagan, yet there are many other interesting ways to appreciate the magical beauty of Bagan.

Balloon Flight
Undoubtedly, taking a balloon offers unrivaled view of Bagan. All balloon company operates their rides during the sunrise time. You will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning, transfering to the flying site then capture the whole area of Bagan from temples to river then finish with champagne tasting. For more details, please check : Balloon in Bagan

Photography Tour
Unlike the other ordinary sightseeing, some local tour guides who specialize in photography travel will show you something really unique. It could be a shoot with candle and monk, a workshop with light or a themed setup where you can expect some sort of life time photos.
Check out Bagan Photo tours

Visit Traditional Workshops
The most famous workshop in Bagan is to produce lacquerware. For 1 hour visit, you will learn all process of how to make the most colorful, sustainable item like decoration dishes.

Explore Nyang U market - Cooking Class
" Know Bagan, know its taste" our guide Wai shares his comments why you should take a cooking class in Bagan.