Bagan
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Bagan's Golden Hours: Sunrise or Sunset?
“If you only had one golden hour in Bagan, which would you choose?”
Bagan, Myanmar - Sunset Golden Pagoda on the Irrawaddy River: Bu Paya
“#100 Ways to Travel Visiting #BaganKingdom in Myanmar, the pagoda #Bupaya closest to the #Irrawaddy River is gold-plated.”
Bagan lies on the bank of Ayeyawaddy river, about 90 miles southwest of Mandalay, Mandalay region, Myanmar. 🔺 It can be reached by Air , by boat, by car and by train. 🔺 Why are there so many pagodas at Bagan ? Because it was the capital of the first Myanmar Empire that flourished from the 11th to 13th centuries AD. 🔺 Another reason is that the rise of the empire coincided with the introduction into it of pure Theravada Buddhism from Lower Myanmar. 🔺 There are three villages around the site – Old Bagan, New Bagan and Nyaung-U. 🔺 Old Bagan is in the closest proximity to the temples, but it’s the most expensive with many luxurious hotels around. 🔺 New Bagan and Nyaung-U offer low to mid-range accommodations, with many hostels and guest houses to choose from. ⏩️ Iconic Temple : ✔️ Ananda Temple ✔️ Thatbyinnyu Temple => 66 m tallest temple ✔️ Tuywindaung Pagoda ✔️ Dhammayangyi Temple ✔️ Shwezigon Pagoda ✔️ Sulamani Temple ✔️ Htilominlo Temple ✔️ Mahabodhi Temple ✔️ Manuha Temple ✔️ Dhammayazika Pagoda ✔️ Gawdawpalin Temple ✔️ Gubyaukgyi Temple ✔️ Lawkananda Pagoda ✔️ Bupaya Pagoda ✔️ Bawbawgyi Pagoda ✔️ Shwegugyi Temple => famous for its arched windows ✔️ Shwesandaw Temple ✔️ Mingalazedi Pagoda ✔️ Tharabha Gate => The only remaining part of the old walls ✔️ Myazedi Inscription => 4 languages : Pyu , Mon , Pali, Burmese ✔️ Nanpaya => Hindu Temple ✔️ Nathlaung Kyaung Temple => Hindu Temple 🔺Numerous traditional has been preserved in Bagan and surrounding villages: ▪️ Handicrafts => beautiful lacquerware , basket weaving , sand art painting, woodcarving,bronze wares. ▪️ Local food => jaggery, toddy , tamarind flakes, plum jams, bean paste. 🔺 Near Bagan, about a 1.5 hour drive , there is Nga Tha York Village which is famous for its wooden sandals, earthenware pottery and soya bean paste. 🔺 Zee O Village which is famous for its enormous 1000 years old tamarind tree. 🔺 You can learn palm sugar production , local methods of making peanuts and sesame seed oils. 🔺 Witness a cow rotating a mortar and pestle to extract the oils in a traditional manner. 🔺 Salay town has long ago developed its own unique style of Bagan-era architecture. 🔺 While exploring you can learn more about this and about monastic life. 🔺 The numerous ancient monasteries, a highlight to any trip to Salay town is Yoke Sone Monastery which is a cultural heritage site located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. 🔺 Salay town is also famous for its cultivation of plums which are sold all over Myanmar. 🎑 Festival Activities: 🔺 Sanctified festival usually falls in January for Ananda Temple. 🔺 Held in September or October for Manuha Pagoda. 🔺 Alo-Daw Pyae Pagoda Festival occurs in December. 🔺 The best time to visit is from October to February. 📪 How to get there: ✈️ By Air => the nearest airport is Nyaung U Airport. 🚊 By Train => Bagan Railway Station ▶️ Overnight trains run daily from Yangon: ➡️ Departing time 16:00 PM, arriving 09:00 AM the next day to Bagan. ▶️ There are 2 direct train services from Mandalay to Bagan daily. ➡️ Departing time 07:20 AM and arriving at 18:45 PM ➡️ Departing time is 21:00 PM and arriving time is 04:59 AM the next day. 🛥️ By Boat => 1. Nyaung U Jetty => 1.5 km northeast of Nyaung U market. 2. Old Bagan Pier => 350 m northeast of Bu Paya Pagoda. 🛳️ By River Cruise => ▶️ Cruise will leave from Gawwein Jetty in Mandalay at 07:00 AM and arrive in Bagan at 17:00 PM. It depends on the water level. 🌌 Activities: 🔺 To find the perfect set of the temple, take a hot-air balloon flying over the horizon. 🔺 Rent an electric bike or hire a private driver or a horse with carriage to explore the temples. 🔺 Watch sunrise and sunset over the Pagoda landscape. 🔺 Visit local handicraft shops for traditional lacquerware. 📍 Essential Tips: 🔺 Bring water bottles,sunscreen or scarf or hat or umbrella. 🔺 Dress modestly and behave respectfully. Should be covered shoulder and knees. Avoid see-through clothing when entering the temples or Pagodas. Bagan has become a repository of ancient Myanmar architecture and related arts.
“Bagan lies on the bank of Ayeyawaddy river, about 90 miles southwest of Mandalay, Mandalay region, Myanmar.”
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Frequently asked questions
What is Bagan famous for?
−Bagan is known for its wealth of attractions and things to do. Here are a few highlights: Bu Phaya Pagoda, That Bin Nyu Temple, and Bagan Golden Palace.
What are the must-try activities in Bagan?
−Consider Bagan's Ananda Temple: A Breathtaking Journey Through a Thousand Pagodas, One Bagan Sightseeing Tour, and Full-Day Bagan Private Sightseeing Tour by E-Bike with Pickup in Bagan. Availability and itineraries change, so check the latest details before booking.