Bagan Travel Guide - Myanmar Unique Moments
Bagan Travel Guide - Myanmar Unique Moments
Bagan is an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. Bagan, located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. The shape and construction of each building is highly significant in Buddhism with each component part taking on spiritual meaning.
Bagan became a central powerbase in the mid 9th century under King Anawratha, who unified Burma under Theravada Buddhism. It is estimated that as many as 13,000 temples and stupas once stood on this 42 sq km plain in central Myanmar, and Marco Polo once described Bagan as a gilded city alive with tinkling bells and the swishing sounds of monks' robes. Approximately 2,200 remain today, in various states of disrepair. Some are large and well maintained, such as the Ananda Pahto, others are small tumbledown relics in the middle of overgrown grass. All sites are considered sacred, so when visiting, be respectful including removing shoes as well as socks before entering or stepping onto them.
Bagan's golden age ended in 1287 when the Kingdom and its capital city was invaded and sacked by the Mongols. Its population was reduced to a village that remained amongst the ruins of the once larger city. In 1998, this village and its inhabitants were forcibly relocated a few kilometers to the south of Bagan, forming New Bagan where you will find accommodation in its handful of cheap, quaint, clean hotels and religious centers.
There are many places to eat in Old Bagan serving the traditional Burmese dishes, especially good old noodle soup. Some of the buffets are excellent; for about USD 4 you can eat to your heart's content from dozens of different traditional dishes. Most accommodation nowadays are found in New Bagan or Nyaung Oo. In Old Bagan, only some government-involved, luxury hotels remain. The most visited temples (but not necessarily the best) are located along the northern stretch of Nyaung Oo Rd. or at Nyaung Oo township and downwards before you arrive in Old Bagan. Don't forget that Bagan area and its 3000+ temples streches over a 20km x 20 km perimeter; if you really want to see and appreciate Bagan you'll need to rent a bike or a taxi or a horse cart, you can't do it on foot. Nyaung Oo town has the most budget accommodations.
You can take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise through 2 companies in Bagan one is called Balloons Over Bagan, around US$ 320 per person and the other is called Bagan Ballooning, US$ 350 per person with less people in the basket. The 2 companies operate from October till April.
A lot to see in Bagan such as :
Ananda Temple
Bupaya Pagoda
Dhammayangyi Temple
Dhammayazika Pagoda
Gawdawpalin Temple
Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyi-in)
Gubyaukgyi Temple (Myinkaba)
Htilominlo Temple
Lawkananda Pagoda
Mahabodhi Temple
Manuha Temple
Mingalazedi Pagoda
Minyeingon Temple
Myazedi inscription
Nanpaya Temple
Nathlaung Kyaung Temple
Payathonzu Temple
Seinnyet Nyima Pagoda and Seinnyet Ama Pagoda
Shwegugyi Temple
Shwesandaw Pagoda
Shwezigon Pagoda
Sulamani Temple
Tharabha Gate
Thatbyinnyu Temple
Tuywindaung Pagoda
( Bagan - Myanmar ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Bagan . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Bagan - Myanmar
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