Ananda Temple is the finest and best preserved among all Bagan Temples and significantly different in form. Built by King Kyansittha 1091 AD, the temple is said to represent the endless wisdom of Buddha.
Tharaba Gate is the only remaining gateway of the royal city of Bagan founded by King Pyinbya in the 9th century A.D. Tharaba is derived from the Pali term “Sarabhanga” meaning, “shield against arrows”.
Thatbyinnyu Temple omniscience in Pali the four-storied cave temple with seven tiered terraces was one of King Sithu’s (1113-1167 AD) finest legacies to the Bagan region. Located just inside the southeastern corner of the old city wall, Thatbyinnyu is Bagan’s tallest temple at about 201 ft (60 m).
Gadawt Palin (Temple of the worshiping throne) was built by King Narapatisithu in 1175 AD and completed during the reign of his successor, Nadaung-mya (aka. Htilominlo). Lies within the old walls of Bagan, the Gadawt Palin is counted as one of the larger shrines of Bagan. The double–storied shrine rises nearly 180 feet from its plinth to the jeweled vane on the final.
Bupaya Pagoda is located right on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. The original stupa was built by the legendary King Pyusawhti somewhere around 70 AD on the spot where he vanquished the gourd plant which, no one could stop from proliferating all over the landscape.
Maha Bohdi Temple was built by King Zeyathinkha, who is also known by the name of Nadaungmya, in 1215 AD. The temple is modeled on the original shrine of the same name in Bodhaya, India. It is a 140 feet high brick and whitewashed stucco structure characterized by a large square pyramidal tower and topped by a conical spire and umbrella.
Dhammayangyi Temple is the most massively built brick edifice in all of Bagan. The temple was built in 1170 AD by King Narathu within a period of 3 years, who ensured sole copyright of artwork of the temple, by killing hundreds of workers who built it. There is an inner and outer circumambulatory, but the inner one has been filled with brick rubble, remaining an enigma to this day.
Shwezigon Pagoda is located in Nyaung Oo, 4 miles to the northeast of the ancient city of Bagan. The construction of the central stupa which rises from a low plinth was begun in 1044 by King Anawratha while it was only completed by King Kyansittha in 1113 AD. A replica of the Buddha’s tooth relic obtained from Ceylon is enshrined within.
Manuha Temple is built by King Manuha in AD 1067 about a decade after the Mon king was brought to Bagan. The interior of the temple is crowded with immense images of the Buddha, the main image having a height of 14 meters and the ones on each side 10 meters each. A 27 meters long reclining image of the Buddha is located in an adjacent chamber to the east.
Gubyaukgyi is noted for its wall paintings, depicting scenes from the previous lives of Buddha. Its ceiling is full of wall paintings and the halls have enough lights to view these clearly.
Other than the ancient pagodas and temples, the museum and lacquer shops are also the main attractions.
Archaeological Museum is one of the places you should see while you are in Bagan. The ground floor of the museum exhibits arts and crafts of Bagan era, languages and literatures, archaeological designs, portraits of the Bagan’s lifestyle and battle fields. On the first floor, you can find portraits of famous Bagan shrines, artifacts and Buddha images.
Bagan Lacquerware is a handicraft dating back to 11 Century which produces materials made of bamboo. On a framework of woven strips of bamboo, mixtures of sap resin with clay and ash are carefully built-up and finally polished with the ash of wood. The designs are then etched or painted by hand. The most traditional lacquerware is of a unique terracotta color, with scenes from the 550 previous lives of Buddha or activities of royal families.
Bagan Vicinity – A few hours drive from Bagan Stands Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano popularly recognized as an abode of many spiritual beings.
Around 5 minutes drive from the hotel, in Gangar Village Ywar Le’ Monastry, you can find a personal collections of the abbot, antique lacquer wares, Buddha Statues, handicrafts and furniture piles up in the old monastery.
