Bagan ( Pagan ) is just 193 km south of Mandalay in middle Myanmar. It is on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Known as the city of four million pagodas, Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Bagan city covers an area of 42 sq.km. There, one can find over 2,000 pagodas, temples and monasteries built during the Bagan Dynasty founded by King Anawrahta in 1044 AD.

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.

Ancient Bagan is indeed an interesting place to visit for scholars and tourists who have an interest in archaeology and architecture. Bagan is famous for its artistic handicrafts and lacquer wares. These are among the most popular souvenirs.

Visitors are required to pay US $ 10 for admission to the archaeological zone. US $ 3 is charged for every extra day exceeding 2 days and 2 nights.

Archaeological Museum

The new archaeological museum inside the old Bagan walls has its main hall, Bagan literature hall, social and military paintings hall, architecture hall, fine arts hall, stupa and temple paintings hall, and Buddhist arts hall. It opens from 0930Hrs to 1500Hrs daily except Monday and public holidays. Entrance fee is US$ 4 per person.

Sarabha Gateway

The ruins of the main gate on the east wall are all that remain of the old 9th century city. The gate is guarded by brother and sister Nats ( some kinds of spirits ) , the male on the left, the female on the right. Traces of old stucco can still be seen on the gateway.

Ananda Temple

Built by King Kyansittha in 1090, the Ananda Temple is the masterpiece of early style temple architecture. There are four huge Buddha images in the standing position at the four faces and a series of eighty relieves depicting the life of the Buddha.

Thatbyinnyu Temple

Over 66 meters high Thatbyinnyu Temple, built by King Alaungsithu, in the middle of the 12th century, overtops all other monuments and its terrace offers visitors a magnificent panorama of the Bagan plain.

Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyi-in)

A 13th century temple with a spire resembling the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodha Gaya in India , Gubyaukgyi is noted for its wall paintings depicting scenes from the previous lives of the Buddha.

Htilominlo Temple

Built by King Nadaungmya in 1211 the 50 meters high Htilominlo is one of the largest temples of Bagan, and is noted for its fine plaster carvings.

Dhammayangyi Temple

This massive temple built by King Narathu in the 12th century displays the finest brickwork in Bagan.

Shwezigon Pagoda

Built by King Anawrahta, founder of the first Myanmar Empire, and finished by King Kyansittha in 1084 , Shwezigon was held in special reverence by successive kings and became the prototype for later Myanmar pagodas.

About 67 km southeast of Bagan is Mount Popa, an extinct volcano over 1,500 meters high, rising out of the plains. Overnight visitors can stay at the ancient Popa monastery at the foot of the peak. However during the month of "Nayon" (May/June) when the annual Festival of the Spirits is held here lot of people come from around the country.

While the volcanic cone can be climbed by means of a path beginning at the monastery, it should be attempted only by the physically fit. The mountain rises about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above the surrounding plain, and given the hot, dry climatic conditions that prevail in central Myanmar the ascent can be arduous. On clear days, however, the view from the top across the vast dry plain is the most beautiful panorama that can be seen in central Myanmar. The 1518 meters peak of extinct Popa Volcano could be reached by a keen outdoor person within several hours.

The goal of a trip to Mount Popa might be to see the shrine of the Mahagiri Nats, situated about halfway up the mountain. For seven centuries preceding the reign of Anawrahta, all kings of central Myanmar were required to make a pilgrimage here to consult with the two Nats regarding their reign.

How to get there
There are daily flights from Yangon, Mandalay and Heho to Bagan by Air Mandalay and Yangon airways. Tourists can also take a slow boat leaving Mandalay early in the morning ( about 0630Hrs ) and arriving Bagan at about 1630Hrs. During the cool season ( October to early Feberary ) it is a pleasant journey during which you get close watch of local people and see the villages and small towns along the Ayeyarwady river. The boat usually has toilets and a restaurant. The boat stops at several places along the way. There are also airconditioned and non-airconditioned buses to Bagan from Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi. The bus from Yangon will take an overnight driving.

If you have time and have a car, it is recommended to stop overnight at Pyay ( 287 km from Yangon ), a town on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwaddy river. Interestings places in and around Pyay are the temples, the ruins of ancient city "The-ye-khit-thaya" built by "Pyu" ( the great great grand parents of Myanmars ), Karen villages along Bago mountain ranges at 3 to 4 hrs drive away, temples and buddha images curved out of a cliff wall on the western side of Ayeyarwaddy river, etc. Another ancient "Pyu" city called "Beikthano" ( ruins ) can be found near Taungdwingyi town ( 161 km north of Pyay ). Sale, a town one hr drive to the south of Bagan, also has some ancient monastreies and temples.