Bagan

Bagan is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar. One of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, it is located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Also being the capital of first Myanmar Empire, Bagan covers an area of 42sq.km containing over 2000 well-preserved pagodas and temples of the 11th -13th century.

Tourist Attractions

Shwezigon Pagoda
The "Shwe-zee-gon" pagoda has been built under the command of king "Anaw-ya-hta" and it has been finished by "Kyan-sit-tha", the third successor of Bagan in 1084. King "Anaw-ya-hta" has the tooth replica and collar bones of the Lord Buddha un-earthed from Sri-khitra, the old Pyu capital city near modern Pyay (Prome). These sacred relics were brought to Bagan on the back of Royal white elephant. And the king made a wish, and the pagoda was built on the site where the royal elephant knelt-down. It was a sandbar called in Burmese "Zee-gon", and the pagoda was named after that word as "Shwe-zee-gon" (the golden sandbar). It was constructed by sand stones extracted from a query called "To-ywin-taung", 3 km to the East of Bagan. The blocks of sandstone were carved there and passed by the hands of a huge human chain from that query to the construction of Pagoda site. It can be said the architecture of this Pagoda is the prototype of later Myanmar Stupa, and the terraces are decorated with green glazed plaques illustrating the scenes of Jataka. This pagoda is the most famous place, the pilgrims near and far visits and appreciates the nine wonders of the pagoda. The pagoda festival is annually held in the mid of October or the beginning of November.

Ananda Temple
The Ananda Temple built after the Shwezigon in 1090 is the masterpiece of the early style temple architecture. There are four huge Buddha images in the standing position and eighty relief’s depicting the life of the Buddha from his Birth to his Enlightenment.

Thatbyinnyu Temple
The Thatbyinnyu temple, a white stucco building is the Bagan’s highest pagoda. It was built by King Alaungsithu in mid-12th century. The view from its terraces is spectacular both at dawn and dusk.

Gawdawpalin Temple
This 13th century temple is like Thatbyinnyu, about 60 meters high with a fine view of the Bagan plains.

Dhammayangyi Temple
Bagan’s most massive temple, Dhammayangyi temple was built by King Narathu in 1167. This temple was not finished but it displayed the finest brickwork.

Gubyaukgyi Temple
The word “Gubyaukgyi” meaning the great spotted temple, built in 13th century, the temple with a spire resembling the Mahabodhi temple at Buddha-Gaya of India is noted for it’s mural painting of 12th century. Most of the depicting is based on “Jatakas”, the previous birth stories of Lord Buddha, and 28 pictures of previous Buddha under the respective tress where each Lord Buddha attained the final enlightenment. Some of frescos were stolen by European – Tourist.

Shwesandaw Pagoda
This pagoda built by King Anawrahta in early 11th century displays a strong Mon influence with a steep stairway directly to the terraces for a superb view from the upper level.

Sulamani Temple
“Sula-Mani” means “ the jewel of crown” and at the same time it refers the name of the pagoda in the celestial being in which the hair of prince Sidhartha (the Gotama Buddha to be) at the time of his renunciation was enshrined. The temple was built by King “Narhapati – Sithu” in 1183. It has one similar plan to “That-byin-nyu” temple and has two floors, the ground floor and the first floor. As in “Dhamayangyi” temple, the positioning of the brick is remarkable. The architects used the sandstone among the bricks to re-enforce the building. That edifice was built in the contemporarily time of “Gawdawpalin” temple, and the temple is well symmetrical from all directions. The ambulatory is decorated with the mural paintings of the XII and XVIII century. The exterior walls are decorated in stucco and pilaster and glazed lotus flowers of green and yellow. It was the time of Burmese architecture attained the highest point, and the ideal architectural was sought out after the following builders (for example; “Htilo-Minlo” temple.

Shwe Gu Gyi Temple
Standing on high brick plinth, situated in the eastern part of Old Bagan Palace site. This temple was built by King “Along-sithu” in 1131 AD. The arch – pediments, pilasters, plinth and cornice decorated with fine stucco carving which represent Myanmar style architecture in the early 12th century.

Htilominlo Temple
The word “Htilominlo” literally means desired by the royal white umbrella, and desired by the king, and the temple built about 1211 AD by king “Nan-Daung- Mya-Min”, is one of the largest temples of Bagan. It is double storied structure rising 50 meters about the ground was the little bit repeating architecture of famous “Sulamani” temple. This temple is noted for its fine plaster carving on the arch-pediment, frieze and pilaster.

Bu-Phaya Pagoda
Standing on the bank of the Majestic River Ayeyarwaddy, the “Bu-phaya” is a conspicuous landmark of Ancient Capital Bagan for travelers along the River. This pagoda with a bulbous dome resembling the “Bu” or gourd fruit was the early pagoda type in Myanmar, and it is a favorite spot for visitors to watch the sunset pass-over the river.

Mingalar – Zedi Pagoda
“Mingalar-zedi” literally means the “Auspicious Pagoda” and situated near the Bank of “Ayeyarwaddy” River, close to the “Thiripyitsaya” hotel. Built by king “Narathihapati” in 1277 under the models “Shwezigon” . The pagoda testifies the supreme achievement of the Stupa architecture decorated with glazed plaques, and of the last religious edifice in Bagan. There was a prophecy or rumor while the pagoda was in progress stating that “the kingdom will be ended when the pagoda is completed” . Therefore the king believing the prediction totally stopped all construction. The 6 years later, the king learnt the teaching of Lord Buddha “Nothing is permanent”, then the king had to continue the finishing of pagoda. Finally the prediction showed true that the kingdom was destroyed by the invasion of Tata-Mongol in 1287.

Manuha Temple
Situated in the “Myin-Kaba” village, the temple carried its name after the Mon King “Manuha”, who has been brought to Bagan as a captive in 1059. Under the authorization of Kin “ Anwayatha” , the Mon King had built this temple financing by the selling of his royal properties. The temple shelters three big statues of Buddha as well as the one reclining Buddha Image in the back chamber. One can learn the attitude of the captive king under King “Anawyahta” from the light of immense Buddha Image in a narrow chamber.

Archaeological Museum
This museum run by Archaeological department is rightly next to the "Ga-daw-palin" temple. It is probably the largest collections of artifact from all over the country displaying more than 2000 objects some of which are of the original pieces of Pagoda and temples. It shelters the various statues of Buddha from different times, the relief of Buddha and Hindu divinities made of sandstone, the terracotta plaques, the statues and the pieces of stucco and wall paintings, the fragments of textiles painted, the leaflets of manuscripts. In the center of the museum, has been deposited by the famous "Mya-zedi" inscription carved in the beginning of the XII century written in Môn, in Burmese, in Pyu and Pali. It is also known as the rosette stone of Myanmar and depicting the story of "Gyu-byauk-gyi" temple. A trunk of petrified wood and some fossils are also exposed. The several style of traditional hairdressing ways during Bagan period (1044-1287) are of interest item. The museum is every day open of 9 hrs at 16 hrs 30 close on Monday and gazette holidays.

Around Bagan

Mount Popa

Some 50 km southeast of Bagan, Mount Popa, 1,500 metres high, is an extinct volcano. It is the legendary home of the “nats” or spirits. The Mount Popa area has also been designated as a National Park, a perfect place of eco-tourism.

Sale (Sa-lay)

It is a small town about 15 km south of Bagan, down the Ayeyarwaddy River. U Pone Nya Museum, formerly the Yoke Sone Monastery, exhibits antique lacquerers, wooden relief's and a large standing gilded Buddha image. The figures carved outside the front of the building are worth seeing. Another place worth visiting is Thatana Kyaung (Keythar monastery) where Tipitaka texts are housed in a large red lacquered cabinet.