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As yet unspoiled by mass tourism, the small town of Bagan
close to the archaeological site is destined to 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
 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.
Bagan is one of the Jewels of the Mekong - click
here - for our feature
 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.
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.
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.
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.
Lawkahteikpan
Temple - This small temple has frescoes and inscriptions
in both Myanmar and Mon scripts.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Shinbinthalyaung
- This long brick structure houses an impressive 11th
century, 18 metre reclining Buddha and is situated beside
the Shwesandaw.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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