Destination

Bagan

The capital of the first Myanmar Empire that flourished from the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries AD. Bagan is the richest archaeology site in Asia famous for its more than 3000 religious monuments spreading in 42 sq km. It enjoys world-wide renown for the ancient pagodas, temples and other religious buildings around it. The buildings-many of them in ruins constitute one of the architectural wonders of the world. Situated on the east bank Mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Finest Lacquer-ware is famous product of Bagan. Walking between ruins and temples is unforgettable experience in lifetime. Enjoying the sunset or panoramic view from the top of the temples memorable and fantastic view. Over 3000 religious monuments, Shwezigon Stupa, Ananda, Thatbyinnyu, Dhamayangyi, Sulamuni, Gawdawpalin, Gubyaukgyi Temples are recommended to visit. When you visit Bagan, you can also study the frescoes, mural paintings and central Myanmar's geographical landscapes.

Shwezeigon Pagoda

Shwezeigon pagoda was commenced by King Anawrahta but not completed until the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084- 1113).It is the prototype for all Myanmar stupas built after the rule of Anawrahta. It was built as the most important reliquary shrine in Bagan,a centre of prayer and reflection for the new Theravada faith Anawrahta was establishing in Bagan.The gilded zedi sits on three rising terraces. Enamelled plaques in panels around the base of the zedi illustrate scenes from the previous lives of the Buddha. At the cardinal points, facing the terrace stairways, are four shrines, each of which houses a four-meter-high bronze standing Buddha.Gupta-inspired and cast in 1102, these figures are Bagan’s largest surviving bronze Buddhas. Surrounding the zedi are clusters of zayats (rest house) and shrine, some of them old, others more modern, though none of them are original.

Ananda Temple

Ananda Temple is the land mark of Bagan civilization and one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. It was built around 1105 by king Kyanzittha; this perfectly proportioned temple heralds the stylistic end of the Early Bagan period and the beginning of the Middle period. There are 4 Standing Huge Buddha Images situated back to back against the central pillar. Ancient one, but very scientific architecture built for both light ventilation. The base and the terraces are decorated with 554 glazed titles showing jataka scenes (life stories of the Buddha). Huge carved teak doors separate interior halls from cross passages on all four sides. Facing outward from the centre of the cube, you can see Bagan-style four standing Buddha images. Facing north and south are original images and the other two images are replacements . Festival is one of the most important festivals in Bagan.

Dhamayangyi Temple

Dammayangyi temple is over a kilometer to the southeast of the city walls in the direction of Minnanthu village. King Narathu(1167-70),who was also known as Kalagya Min, ’the king killed by Indians,’ built the Dammayangyi intending to atone for his misdees.It is today the best preserved temple in Bagan, with a layout similar to that of the Ananda Temple but lacking the delicate, harmonious touch of its prototype. The interlocking, mortarless brickwork at Dammayangyi, best appreciated on the upper terraces, is said to rank as the finest in Bagan. Unfortunately the highest terraces and hidden stairways leading to them are now off limits to visitors.

Thatbyuinnyu Temple

This ‘Omniscient’ temple, one of the highest in Bagan, rises to 61 meters and was built by King Alaungsithu around the mid-12th century. The structure consists of two huge cubes; the lower one merges into the upper with three diminishing terrace from which a sikhara rises. The centre of the lower cube is solid, serving as a foundation for the upper temple, which houses an eastward-looking Buddha figure. There are two tires of windows in each storey of the Thatbyinnyu, as well as huge arches inlaid with flamboyant pediments, making the interior bright and allowing a breeze to flow through. The first two stories of this great temple were once the residence of monks. The third level housed images, and the fourth, a library. At the top was a stupa containing holy relics narrow internal stairway leads to the three upper-most terraces. The view from this temple marvelous but visitors are not allowed to climb up.