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If you're considering traveling to Myanmar, then the ancient city of Bagan should definitely be on your list.
Not only renowned for being the land of the most unique temple structures in Southeast Asia, Bagan also carries a mystical, sacred aura with countless exciting surprises waiting to be explored...
I've had the privilege of visiting Bagan, a place steeped in mystery, magic, and surrounded by countless rumors, recognized as an impressive cultural heritage of the world, alongside Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Machu Pichu in Peru. From the 9th century to the 13th century, the city was also known as Pagan – the capital of the Pagan Kingdom – the first kingdom to unite the regions that would later form modern-day Myanmar.
During its prosperous era from the mid-11th century to the 13th century, the Pagan Kingdom constructed over 10,000 Buddhist temples and monasteries across the Bagan plains. Among them, approximately 2,200 temples still stand today. A visit to Bagan is a necessity, much like any traveler venturing to Myanmar. I hope this place won't be overly crowded. After a long overnight bus journey, I arrived in Bagan before dawn. The city was still asleep, and then I disembarked from the bus and hopped onto a horse cart to enter the city. And so, my adventure was about to unfold!
Witnessing the sunrise in Bagan
Having booked my hotel room in advance, I wasn't too worried about unexpected accommodation issues. The friendly horse carriage driver took me to the hotel entrance, patiently waiting for me to complete the check-in process. He then guided me to a spot to watch the sunrise. It was only 5 a.m. at that time, so I didn't hesitate when he offered to take me to the nearby Shwei Leik Too temple, which he claimed was a fantastic place to watch the sunrise.
Upon arrival, with not too many tourists around, I met a friendly Chinese girl riding a bicycle. We chatted and climbed a temple together, awaiting the sunrise. Without much delay, the sun rose from the horizon, painting the vast plain with various shades, initially orange and then transitioning to yellow. Just as the horse carriage driver described, it was indeed a marvelous place to behold the Bagan temples illuminated by the morning light and admire the surrounding landscapes. And thus, I had a wonderful start in Bagan.
Surprised by the astonishing heat in Bagan
After breakfast at the hotel, I pulled out my Bagan map to plan my exploration. My plan was to rent a bicycle and tour the northern area of Bagan, venturing briefly into the city center.
Having rented a bicycle, I keenly felt the daytime heat here as the sun beamed down intensely on the city. Nevertheless, while the sun wasn't too harsh yet, I still wanted to visit some nearby temples.
Admiring the temples and pagodas in Bagan along the way, I was truly impressed by the beauty of this place. From large temples to small ones, everything felt intimate and interconnected by narrow paths. After getting lost in the maze of towers, I returned to the hotel to rest, waiting for the sun's gentle rays to cool down before continuing with my plans.
Exploring the interior of temples in Bagan
The next day, I woke up early again to witness the sunrise in Bagan. The sunrise moments in Bagan are always spectacular and impressive. Upon returning to the guesthouse, I met a beautiful Canadian girl. She had just arrived from Mandalay and was also planning her Bagan tour.
After a chat, we decided to explore together, focusing on discovering the interiors of ancient temples. We were truly amazed by the architecture inside the temples, the large Buddha statues lining the corridors, the vibrant colors of the walls with shades of red and orange, each wall adorned with intricately carved paintings.
We wandered in awe, pausing every time we encountered a magnificent structure or felt a moment of peace within.
Traveling in Myanmar to admire the magnificent sunset
A sight not to be missed when traveling to Bagan is witnessing the sunset. Therefore, we visited a famous temple called Shwesandaw. I must admit, the sunset scenery here is as stunning as the sunrise, always serene and enchanting.
Initially, the sky still had scattered patches of greenish clouds, but soon after, everything changed completely, and the sky was now tinted with purple, looking very spectacular. After a while, the sun completely disappeared, and darkness enveloped everything, with only streaks of light emanating from the ancient temples visible in the sky. A truly captivating scene.
A different Bagan...
The next day, we wanted to escape the crowded tourist streets of Bagan and venture into the more remote areas to the south. Since the distance was quite far, we rented an electric bicycle as our mode of transportation.
After visiting the temples, we went to a restaurant in a small village to enjoy local cuisine. The restaurant manager was very friendly, and he took us to visit his family in the village. This village had a traditional style, with wooden houses, and the one we visited was engaged in weaving fabric, all done manually, which looked very interesting.
We were quite surprised to see a young girl smoking cheroot - a traditional Myanmar cigar. I really liked everything here, from the people to the scenery, all very natural and traditional, without any traces of tourism influence.
It was delightful to spend time chatting with the local people, without being influenced by the crowds and the persuasive sales pitches.
... And Final Thoughts!
The temples of Bagan are definitely a must-visit when traveling to Myanmar. A magical place not only beautiful in its architecture but also for its cultural heritage and friendly people.
Article and photos: Escapology Blog
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourSeptember 30, 2015
