Bagan

BAGAN

BAGAN THE GLORY OF MYANMAR

Bagan, capital of the first Myanmar Empire, is one of the main tourist destinations in Myanmar and one of the richest archaeological sites in South-east Aisa. Situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyawaddy River. The Magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for nearly 1000 years.

    

GETTING TO BAGAN

Nyaung Oo Airport in Bagan is accessible to land not only international flights by charter basic but also daily regular domestic flights. It takes one hour and ten minutes between Yangon and Bagan available at least twice a day in peak season. Express trains from Yangon also accessible to Bagan by 12 hours drive. There are regular express coach services to Bagan from Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, and Mandalay.

TRANSPORTATION IN BAGAN

The motor vehicles of the licensed tourist transport services that hold the stickers of tourist transportation with Ministry's Logo, are recommended to take for travelling and sightseeing. The taxis with the red number plaques are also available on the ways to the tourist sites. The licensed hotels can arrange for car rental service. Tourists enjoy to take the horse carts and bullock carts around travelling in Bagan. They are also sticked with the Tourist Transportation Logo stickers.

    

RIVER CRUISES

One of the best ways to see Myanmar is by gliding down its legendary rivers. The Ayeyawaddy, with the length of 2,170 km, the longest and the most important river in Myanmar. Cruising on Ayeyawaddy River is a popular product among international visitors since it offers a relaxing, cool and comfortable ride. Traditional River Boats and Luxury River Cruises are operating along Ayeyawaddy and Chindwin rivers.

Between Mandalay and Bagan (vice-versa), visitors can take in the natural beauty of Ayeyawaddy, explore the fascinating scene of Mt.Sagaing , Pakokku , Myingyan and other well-known cities by cruising. Day trips are available by express boats: Malikha Express, RV Shwekeinnery. Cruise boutique hotel and luxury cruise liners such as RV Paukkan , RV Pandaw , RV  Randabo and Road to Mandalay operate overnight trips on 2 nights / 3 nights and 4 nights respectively.

Riverine boat trip in the evening near Ayeyawaddy River Bank offers the panoramic view of Bagan, ways of life of fishermen, pleasant scenery of sunset.

    

HIGHLIGHTS OF BAGAN

The ancient monuments of different periods cover Bagan , the most important historical site in Myanmar. Bagan is situated in the bend made by the Ayeyawaddy River. The monuments stand on the land stretching from the river bank up to Turintaung Range.

Panoramic view of Bagan can be seen from the top terrace of Bagan viewing tower. A finger pointed in any direction will not miss a monument. At present , there are over two thousands ancient monuments in the Bagan area, according to the list of the Archaeological Department. Although there are many monuments in Bagan, they are different in plan, elevation, decoration and architectural elements. The number of the same types of monuments is very few, perhaps three or four . Some are one-storied buildings, and other are three or four-storied buildings.

Some are surmounted with bell shaped section or sikhara section. In those days, Ancient Myanmar Races built their buildings according to their own ideas like the construction of houses nowadays. They created their building to be as beautiful as possible and created their buildings to be more elaborated according to their wish to boast about their power and wealth.

 

ANADA TEMPLE

It is situated to the south-east of Tharaba gate of the city-wall. It is one of the finest and most venerated temples in Bagan. It was built by King Kyansittha in 1091 A.D. There are four huge Buddha Images in the standing  position , 10 meter high inside the temple and eighty reliefs depicting the life of the Buddha from his birth to his Enlightenment.

SHWEZIGON PAGODA

The SHWEZIGON PAGODA – for its sacredness, is a solid, cylindrical structure resting on three squares terraces, a prototype of Myanmar's style stupas. It was built by King Anawrahta and completed by King Kyansittha in 1087 A.D. It was believed that the Pagoda enshrines the frontal bone and a tooth of the Buddha and is thus held in great veneration by the Buddhists in Myanmar.

DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE

Bagan's most massive temple, Dhammayangyi Temple, was built by King Narathu in 1170 A.D. Although the temple construction has not been completed, it displayed the finest brickwork.

SULAMANI TEMPLE

It is situated about one mile to the south-east of Bagan and it can be reached beyond the Dhammayangyi Temple. One inscribed stone was erected in the north porch mentioning that King Narapatisithu built it in 1183 A.D.

THATBYINNYU TEMPLE

It is situated in the southeast corner of the citywall. This great temple was built in 1144 A.D by King Alaungsithu, the grandson of King Kyansittha. This is the highest temple of all monuments of Bagan and rises to a height of 61m above the ground level.

 

ACTIVITIES IN BAGAN

 COTTON WEAVING

The cotton is mostly grown in central Myanmar. Among the villages in Bagan, Pwa Saw (east) and Minnnanthu Village are still making  cotton thread and weaving. First, they make the cotton thread from raw cotton by using machine which is manipulated by hand and weave on the traditional wooden loom.

NGA THA YORK VILLAGE

It is about 16 miles far from Bagan, but driving hour is 2 hours because of many sandy streams on the way. You can see the earthen wears and also you can see the soya bean-paste production.

OIL PROCESSING

A lot of peanuts and sesame seeds plants are grown in Central Myanmar. First they fill the peanuts or sesame seeds in the wooden moter in which is a paddle that is turned around by an Ox. Then, the oil comes out from the small hole at the bottom of the wooden moter.

PALM SUGAR (JAGGERY) PRODUCTION

A lot of toddy palm trees are grown in central Myanmar. From the toddy palm trees, we get the sweet  sap, by climbing the palm tree by using very long ladder and collect the sap. Then, we cook the sap for about 2 hours until the sap settle down and becomes paste. Before the paste cool down, we make them into small balls pr square shape and dry in the openair. And then we get the palm sugar.

ZEE O VILLAGE

It is located in the south east of Bagan and driving hour  is about  30 mins. You can see the enormous thousand years aged tamarind tree, the place of remains of prehistorical blacksmith workshop sites, planty and spreading of wood fossils. The local people believed that Zee O village area is protected by the guardian spirits (Nats) of the brother and sister. In the morning time, you can see the palm sugar production and the traditional way of cooking oil procession in the Zee O village.

TREKKING & HIKING

Trekking can be available to Mt.Victoria from Kanpetlet which is located in the southern Chin state and about 6 hour drive from Bagan. There you can hike on Nat Ma Taung (Mt.Victoria), height of 10,200 feet, also you can visit to the Chin typical villages and see the Chin women with the tattoo on the face and traditional costumes.

 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

The archaeological museum was inaugurated in 1904 near Gawdawpalin Temple in Old Bagan. It was reconstructed in 1995 and reopened in 1997.

The Museum is a two-storeyed building and on the groundfloor, you can see the display room for objects of visual arts of the Bagan Period such as terra cotta, stucco works, wood carvings, stone sculptures, metal  works, lacquer works.

On the second floor, we find that exhibits are Buddha statues and images of various makes, postures, and styles providing us some knowledge of Buddhist iconography.

LAWKANANDA PAGODA

This pagoda was built by King Anawrahtar in 1059 A.D. The riverside and sunset view from the Pagoda is one of the tourist attraction places in Bagan. Other attractions in Bagan are Mingalazedi Pagoda, Shwe Sandaw Pagoda. Tharabar Gate and Bagan Archaelogical Museum.

HTILOMINLO PAGODA

It is situated in Northeast of old Bagan, on Bagan - Nyaung Oo Road. It is one of the biggest and very beautiful temples in Bagan. Built by Nataung Mya King in the 13th century. The fine work of stucco can be observed on outside wall of the temple.

MYINKABA GUBYAUKGYI TEMPLE

It is situated in the East of Myinkaba village. Built by Prince Rajakumar, son of Kyansittha in 1113. Mixed with Indian style and Mon influence. It is famous for its beautiful mural paintings which you can admire 550 jatakas and Goddhama Buddha's daily life.

MANUHA TEMPLE

It is situated in Myinkaba Village. It was built by Manuha, the captive Mon king in 1059 A.D. The inscribed stone No.9 in Mandalay, says that King Manuha, who owned the 32 white elephants, built this temple with three colossal seated Buddha images, 14m high and a recumbent  Buddha image, 17.6m long, completed in six months and six days.

 

BAGAN'S FAVOURITE

MURAL PAINTING

A mural is a painting on a wall, ceiling, or other large permanent surface. Murals of sorts date to prehistoric times such as the paintings inside the caves, temples and pagodas. There are many techniques.

LACQUERWARE

Bagan lacquerware is an ancient craft. The process involves coating drying and numerous recoating of a framework of woven bamboo over a period of months, climaxing with the amazing delicate task of etching designs by hand and then dyeing of colours onto the lacquered article.

BALLOONS OVER BAGAN

Balloons over Bagan is on opportunity to see this ancient kingdom. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 15mph. On average, the flights last between 45 minutes to one hour.

NAN MYINT VIEWING TOWER

The ideal on shop viewpoint (60m high comprising 13 levels) for visitors to see the  panoramic view of Bagan.

NGA THA YORK VILLAGE

It is about 16 miles far from Bagan, but driving hour is 2 hours because of many sandy streams on the way. You can see the earthen wears and also you can see the soya bean-paste production.

ENVIRONS OF BAGAN

MT.POPA

Mt.Popa is about 50 km to the southeast of Bagan and driving hour is one hour and twenty minutes. It is an extinct volcano, covers with a forest and it is like OASIS of the dry zone. You can visit the Nats (spirits) shrine and observe the lovely panoramic view from the top of the rocky cliff (taungkalat). You can also make the trekking on Mt.Popa (Taungmagyi).

SALE TOWN

A small town, Sale is 55 miles far away from Bagan. Yoke Sone monastery, built in late KoneBaung Dynasty, antique Buddha statue is made of bamboo and colonial buildings in Sale are the most tourist attractive points.

ECO TOURISM

ALAUNGDAW KASSAPA

Alaungdaw Kassapa National Park is situated in Sagaing Division and in the list of ASEAN Heritage Park. The Park is 1608 km square wide and preserve elephants, tigers, golden deer and endanger species of bird and butterfly. Alaungdaw Kassapa Park was established in 1941 and announced as a national park in 1984.

MINDAT

It is also located in the Southern Chin State and about 8 hours drive from Bagan. It is the main place in the Southern Chin state because it is a gate way to the mainland and shopping place of the region. So that, it is always crowded with local Chin people in their traditional costumes. Also you can visit to the Chin typical villages around Mindat.

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