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 Much
like Siem Reap in Cambodia, the small town of Bagan close to the
archaeological site is distined to develop develop rapidly as tourism
increases. In fact, the town is already well supplied with numerous
small hotels and guest houses, and a few top class hotels. Package
tour itineraries usually feature only a one-night stay, but this
vast site can be explored intricately for more than a week. A map
is essential and transport available includes hired bicycles and
horse-drawn carts. Hot air balloon trips are planned over the site.
The local village boasts a museum, market, temple, several lacquerware
workshops and a golf course.
Bagan is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar. One of the richest
archaeological sites in Asia. At its height, in the early 11th century,
Bagan was the world centre of Theravada Buddhism, with more than
13,000 pagodas covering the plains bordered by two sides of the
Ayeyarwady River. But the city fell to the invasion of Kublai Kahn's
hordes in 1287 and was abandoned, leaving only 3000 pagodas remaining
in the midst of the Mongol destruction. Covering an area of more
than 40 sq. km, this is one of the world's richest archaeological
sights, with no two of the red baked brick monuments the same.
Below is a list of the most beautiful and unusual.
Shwezigon Pagoda - Started in the
11th century, the pagoda is one of the first buildings in a unique
Burmese style, while older pagodas were built in Mon style. It is
said that the pagoda was built to enshrine the tooth, collar-bone
and headband relics of the Buddha, and so has become a revered place
of pilgrimage. Two great kings, noted for their patronage of the
religion, are associated with the Shwezigon: Anawrahta (1044-1077)
and Kyansittha (1084-1113).
 Ananda
Temple - Built in 1091 by Kyanzittha, the temple is said
to represent the endless wisdom of the Buddha. The central square
has sides of 53 metres, and rises in terraces to a height of 51
metres. Having suffered considerable damage in the earthquake of
1975, the temple, one of the finest, largest and best preserved,
was reconstructed in 1979.
Thatbyinnyut Temple - Built by Alaungsithu
in the mid-12th century, this 61 metre tall temple is the highest
in Bagan. The stone supports which once held the temple's huge bronze
bell are now located in a monastery compound southwest of the Thatbyinnyut.
To the north east stands a small "tally pagoda", built
using one brick for every 10,000 used in the main temple.
Gawdawpalin Temple - Built during
the reign of Narapatisithu (1174-1211), this is one of the largest
and most imposing of the Bagan temples - cube shaped with Buddha
images on the four sides of the ground floor. The top terrace affords
excellent views of sunset over the Ayeyarwady. The Gawdawpalin was
badly damaged by the earthquake in 1975, and reconstruction was
started in 1979.
Shwegugyi Temple - Built by Alaungsithu
in 1311, this temple is an early example of a transition in architectural
styles, which resulted in airy, lighter buildings. The temple is
also notable for its fine stucco carvings and for the stone slabs
in the inner walls.
Pitakat Taik - King Anawrahta built
this library in 1058 to house the 30 elephant loads of Buddhist
scriptures with which he returned from the sacking of Thaton. It
was repaired in 1738. The architecture of the square building is
notable for the perforated stone windows, and the plaster carvings
on the roof.
 Sulamani
Temple - Built in 1181 by Narapatisithu, this is a fine example
of a later, more sophisticated, temple style, with better interior
illumination. The interior was once painted with fine frescoes,
only traces of which now remain.
Nathlaung Kyaung – Built in 931 by king Taungthugyi, about
a century before the southern school of Buddhism came to Bagan,
this is the only remaining Hindu temple, dedicated to the Hindu
god Vishnu. A central brick pillar supports the dome and crumbled
sikhara, which originally had figures of Vishnu on each of the four
sides.
Pahtothamaya Temple - The interior
of this single storey structure is dimly lit with the small, perforated
stone windows that typify this early type of Mon-influenced temple.
It was probably built during the reign of Kyanzittha (1084-1113).
Bupaya Pagoda - Thought to be the
oldest in Bagan, dating from the 3rd century, this riverbank pagoda
was completely destroyed when it collapsed into the river in the
1975 earthquake, and has been totally rebuilt.
Mahabodhi Pagoda - Built during the
reign of Nantaungmya (1211-1234), it is modelled after Indian style
temples, and is unique in Myanmar. The pyramid shaped spire is covered
in niches, each enclosing a seated Buddha figure.
Shwesandaw Pagoda - King Anawrahta
built this graceful circular pagoda in 1057 following his conquest
of Thaton. The five terraces once held terra-cotta plaques showing
scenes from the Jataka.
Lawkahteikpan Temple - This small
temple has frescoes and inscriptions in both Myanmar and Mon scripts.
Shinbinthalyaung - This long brick
structure houses an impressive 11th century, 18 metre reclining
Buddha and is situated beside the Shwesandaw.
Dhammayangyi Temple - Built by King
Narathu (1160- 65) and similar to the Ananda, this later temple
is generally considered to possess the finest brickwork of Bagan.
Mingalazedi Pagoda - Built three years
before the invasion of Kublai Khan's horsemen, in 1284, this pagoda
is considered the most beautifully proportioned of all Bagan's monuments.
Inle Lake – A relaxing lake resort
with villages, and floating gardens located at an altitude of 1328
metres in southern Shan State. It is best known for high quality
Shan silk, and for its fishermen, who row their boats standing upright,
using one leg to power the oar. The surrounding region includes
the picturesque hill stations of Kalaw, Pindaya and Taunggyi and
offers opportunities for walking and rock-climbing.
 Kyaikhtiyo
- The Golden Rock
The Kyaikhtiyo Cedi or the Golden Rock as it is popularly known,
is situated in Kyaikhto Township of the Mon State, on a line of
hills that run parallel to the Sittaung Moketama rail and motor
road. The peak on which the Cedi is located is over 3600 feet in
height and the original trek route from the base camp (Kinmun Sakan)
is a little over seven miles.
Ngapali Beach – Stretching for
over 3 km. This resort offers clam blue water, swaying palm trees
and an expensive stretch of silvery white sand. With a wide range
of accommodation from simple guest houses to luxury accommodation,
the resort is easily accessible by air from Yangon, Bagan and Heho.
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