Bagan: The City of a Thousand Temples

While many cities in Myanmar (formally Burma) boast of having ancient Buddhist temples, none can match the splendor and number of the temples in Bagan, an ancient city that was once the capital of the country. Rambling around the bagan city, which has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, means exploring some 1,200 temples and pagodas spread across 20 square miles of fertile plains to create an awe-inspiring view that will never be forgotten. Read on to learn more about rambling around the bagan city.

Ancient Burmese Empire

Bagan is beautiful place in Myanmar. It’s an ancient city with a rich tradition and culture. There are over 2,000 temples and pagodas in Bagan, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. You can find markets selling everything from traditional Burmese clothing to handmade crafts. These markets make for beautiful destinations for photos, too! If you love taking pictures, then Bagan should be your next stop. Don’t forget to bring your camera. There are so many beautiful places here that you won’t want to miss capturing on film.

Not only will you see temples and pagodas that have been around for centuries, but you’ll also get to see the beauty of living Burma today! Local people go about their daily lives just as they did hundreds of years ago. It’s amazing to think about how little has changed in this region over time. In fact, if you visit during harvest season (February-April), you might even see some villagers harvesting rice by hand like they have done for generations! To finish up, I have a few tips if you’re thinking about visiting Bagan: *Be sure to pack comfortable shoes.
It is required to walk a lot when exploring this historic city. It is also important to remember that there is not a lot of shade available once the sun goes down. Pack plenty of water and snacks! * Be prepared for low temperatures at night–temperatures can drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit after sunset. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen during daylight hours or stay covered up until evening arrives if you don’t want to get sunburned or heat stroke.Don’t wait any longer–get out there and explore Bagan soon before someone else takes all the best spots!

Getting to Bagan

Bagan is a popular place. To get there, you can fly into Nyaung-U Airport or take a bus from Yangon or Mandalay. Once you arrive in Bagan, you’ll be surrounded by temples! It’s impossible to visit them all, but try your best to see as many as possible. You’ll need two days to see everything in the area – make sure to bring water and snacks with you so that you don’t have to buy anything while exploring this amazing city. Some must-see temples include Ananda Pahto, Htilominlo Pahto, Sulamani Pahto, Dhammayangyi Pahto, Gawdawpalin Pahto and Shwezigon Pagoda. These are just some of the spectacular sites to behold when visiting this beautiful city. If you want more information on how to plan your trip, then check out our blog post on planning an itinerary for a day in Bagan. Happy travels!

There are three major ways to get to Bagan: flying into Nyaung-U Airport (the easiest), taking a public bus or hiring a private driver who will take you back and forth between cities. Flying into Myanamar’s largest airport is your quickest option, however it may not always be practical if time isn’t on your side. Taxis also offer transport between cities, although they aren’t nearly as convenient since they require advance booking and stop frequently at shops along their route. But if neither of these options sound like what you’re looking for, consider taking a public bus instead.

Experiencing Sunset in the Ruins

As the sun began to set, we made our way to one of the most popular spots in Bagan to watch the sunset – the ruins of an ancient temple. We walked through the grounds, admiring the beautiful architecture as we went. When we reached the summit, we had an excellent panorama. The sky was ablaze with colors, and the temples were silhouetted against it. It was truly a magical experience. I would have loved to stay longer, but alas there are only so many hours in the day.

After a quick dinner at my hotel’s restaurant, I settled down for a restful night’s sleep before continuing on my journey tomorrow morning. I awoke early, ate breakfast in the courtyard, and got back on the road to start exploring more of this fascinating country. The first stop on my list was Tharabar Gate, also known as Htilominlo Temple. Built during the height of Pagan’s power in 1059 AD, it has been beautifully preserved and is now one of the most important Buddhist sites in all of Myanmar. From here, I drove eastward towards Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda which I had seen from a distance during my first visit to Bagan.
On this trip, however, when I arrived at the site some four hundred years later, I found that not much had changed – its large stupa still presided over flat fields that stretched out for miles in every direction like waves crashing into a shoreline. Nearby, rows of shops offered souvenirs and trinkets while people continued their daily lives, blissfully unaware of the things they were missing by choosing to live here. One can’t help but wonder how long such a life will last in today’s world…

Impressive Ancient Monuments

It is home to over 2,000 temples and pagodas, making it one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Asia. The city was founded in the 9th century and served as the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan for centuries. Today, Bagan is a popular tourist destination for those interested in history and culture. There are many beautiful temples and pagodas to visit while exploring this picturesque area.
One can easily spend hours or even days exploring this ancient site. During my time there I visited many different temples and pagodas, each with their own unique characteristics. My favorite was the Ananda temple which has been rebuilt twice after being destroyed by earthquakes in 1767 and 1975. Inside there is a long reclining Buddha carved from marble that is incredible to see up close. Mingalarbar Temple, which was built in 1390 and renovated about 150 years ago, is another great example of Burmese architecture.

One of the more modern structures in Bagan is Ananda Pahto where visitors can enter a room inside the tower and learn about how construction methods have changed throughout the years.
Another great place to visit during your stay here is Nyaung U Market where you will find many traditional craftsmen creating handmade items such as wooden puppets, lacquerware paintings, silverware, jewelry and more.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during full moon day then don’t miss out on Tharabha Tawya Light Festival – these lights represent good luck according to Burmese legend!

tradition and culture

The city of Bagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in Myanmar. It is home to over 2,000 temples and pagodas, many of which date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The city was once the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, and it played an important role in the country’s history and culture. Today, Bagan is a popular tourist destination, and its temples are some of the most visited sites in Myanmar. There are two main types of Buddhist temple architecture you can find in Bagan:
-Temples that were built by Theravada Buddhists, who believe Buddha reached nirvana
-Temples that were built by Mahayana Buddhists, who believe Buddha still exists (eternal) and will someday return to earth as Maitreya Buddha -The most famous of these structures is Ananda Temple, said to be the world’s largest single-chamber Buddhist structure .

It’s the only temple where tourists can purchase tickets for an on-site tour, but it costs about US$5 per person for a tour guide. If you choose not to take the guided tour, there are often vendors who offer their services for free outside of the temple. Most importantly, if you visit Ananda Temple don’t forget to stop at the Reclining Buddha; it dates back to 1100 AD!

Final Word

After spending a few days exploring the ancient city of Bagan, it’s easy to see why it’s often called the City of a Thousand Temples. With so many beautiful temples and pagodas dotting the landscape, it’s truly a sight to behold. If you’re ever in Myanmar, be sure to add Bagan to your list of places to visit. You won’t regret it!
I’m really glad I did—the sites are breathtaking, but walking around was also a great way to spend time with my new friend Michael. He showed me a few historical sights that would have been difficult to find on my own (and which certainly wouldn’t have been as much fun). Thank you Michael! When our paths cross again, I will have a much better story to tell you about our meeting that day. All good things come to an end, so until then, enjoy life to the fullest.