Bagan

Bagan is one of the main destinations of Burma. This city is considered as the life of the temples. Thanks to its antiquity and its sacred aspect, this destination welcomes millions of tourist arrivals each year. Located 180km south of Mandalay and 700km north of Yangon, the old Bagan was the ancient capital of the Burmese kingdom for over two centuries, from the 11th to the 13th. In its prosperous era, the kingdom of Bagan has built over 4000 temples, pagodas and monasteries throughout its territory, among which, 2200 traces of these monuments still exist. So, Bagan is also the archeological city with a little attraction to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Upon arrival in Bagan, tourists should visit the Bagan Archaeological Complex - the main site of the city. The Bagan Plain has more than 2,000 stupas and temples. For some temples, you can climb to admire the sunset on the plain. Shwezigon Pagoda, Dhamayangyi Pagoda, Thatbyinnyu Pagoda, Sulamani Pagoda,... are the must-see pagodas in your trip to Bagan. The visit back to time in these temples allows you to discover the history, the antiquity of this region. Tourists are surprised by the beauty of the sculptures, colorful images of Buddhism along the aisles of the temples. The architecture of the temples is one of the private peculiarities of the region.
Besides temples, it is the NyaungOo market - the very local market. In this market, you can find fruits, vegetables, spices, dried fish, flowers, meats ... People are very friendly and you can get to know them easily. Most women have the face painted "thanaka" - a common symbol in Burma's culture. Here, tourists can discover the daily life of local people.
Several renovations have been made in recent years to protect this wonderful site. Bagan has become a fabulous architectural heritage - one of UNESCO's heritage sites, an open-air museum, a must-see site. The trip to Burma would be incomplete without the magical visit of Bagan.
 
Shwezigon Pagoda
The pagoda is a big stupa located in Nyaung U, near Bagan, Burma. This pagoda is one of the most beautiful pagodas in the country. King Anawrahtaen built the pagoda from 1056 and was completed under the reign of his son Kyanzittha in 1102. Inspired by Lawkananda, it was considered as a model for many other Burmese-style stupas. It is bell-shaped and rests on three terraces of brick decorated with terracotta plates decorated with scenes of the Jataka. Nowadays, it also houses one of the replicas of Buddha's teeth and open for all tourists.
 
Dhamaangyi Temple
The Dhamayangyi is the largest temple in the Bagan Plain. Built before 1170 by King Narathu, but it is never completed. This temple is considered a replica of the temple of Ananda, this temple is square in shape with large porches. The roof is composed of seven successive terraces. Its central pillar (50 m wide) is not decorated with standing Buddhas, but dug a single niche, to the east, housing a reclining Buddha.
 
Thatbyiunnyu Temple
Thabyiunnyn Temple is one of the highest temples of Bagan (60m). This temple was built in the 11th century by King Alaungsithu. It is a traditional temple that features the style of Ananda architecture and Gawdawpalin architecture. The temple is also one of the first temples built on 4 floors. The passage between the two massive cubes takes place through a series of three terraces. These terraces bring you a panoramic view of Bagan - the beautiful scenery, the incredible monuments, including the majestic Irrawaddy River.
 
Sulamani Temple
Built in 1181 by King Narapatisithu, the Sulamani Temple is considered a jewel of Bagan. This temple is more sophisticated than the temple Htilominlo and Gawdawpalin. It includes large terraces with two levels that create a pyramid effect where at each corner of terraces are small stupas. Inside the temple, tourists find a hundred monastic cells, characteristic in Bagan. Especially, you can admire the beauty of the frescoes that are well preserved.
 
Htilominlo Temple
Located near the border between Nyaung U and Bagan, 1.5km north of Bagan, the Temple is the last of the great Buddhist temples in the region. Built in 1218 by King Nantaungmya, the king put the temple there because it was there that he was chosen to be crowned. The temple is known for its 4 huge Buddha statues placed on the four sides of the temple and its beautiful wall frescoes.