Buzz
Upon reaching Bagan, it feels like stepping into the historical space of a sacred land, where perhaps the gods themselves are wandering and dancing around.
Discovering the Majestic Temples Through Time in Bagan
My morning flight from the capital Yangon (Myanmar) brought me to the ancient city of Bagan under a clear and sunny sky. Through the window, Bagan unfolded with vast stretches of dry, desolate fields, occasionally adorned with small clusters of trees amidst the desert, and the faint silhouette of ancient temples.
Bagan was once the capital of the Pagan Kingdom from the 9th to the 13th century, preserving numerous temples and pagodas rich in Buddhist culture. Today, Bagan is renowned for its nearly 2,000 temples and stupas of varying sizes.
Visitors to Bagan can also enjoy various exciting activities, such as hot air balloon rides to witness the sunrise, peaceful boat rides on the Irrawaddy River, and ascending Mount Popa to explore the spiritual abode of the Myanmar people.
Riding on a horse, I was taken to Tayoke Pyay Temple. Although the sky was not fully lit, numerous photographers with modern equipment were eagerly waiting to capture the first moments of dawn's light.
Choosing a quiet corner, I sat with closed eyes, savoring the peaceful feeling, gazing at the silent and serene temples. Witnessing the first rays of light gradually illuminating the mystical temples, resembling scenes from Hollywood's treasure hunt movies.
I observed hot air balloons rising, gracefully maneuvering above the towers in the misty and shimmering atmosphere, creating a perfect painting in the early light.
After enjoying the sunrise, I rented a bicycle to leisurely explore the dusty trails, freely and comfortably admiring the clusters of temples and pagodas. Bagan is renowned for its red brick temples, later adorned with gold.
There are plenty of temples and pagodas to discover, such as Ananda Phaya, Htilominlo, Shwezigon Pagoda, Dhammayangyi, Thatbyinnyu Temple, but the most impressive to me was Shwesandaw Pagoda. I vividly recall the sensation of standing with arms outstretched, imagining the grand, solemn, and divine ceremonies of Myanmar's past. My soul wandered into the glorious and magnificent history of ancient Bagan.
After indulging in the exploration of ancient temples and pagodas, I proceeded to discover Taung Kalat Temple – the spiritual abode of the people of Myanmar, perched atop the volcanic peak of Mount Popa. The Myanmar people believe the volcano is the dwelling place of the supreme Nat deity, and this temple is often associated with the summit of Mount Olympus in their homeland.
To reach Taung Kalat, you'll ascend 777 steps, where numerous colossal Buddha statues are enshrined, drawing devout Buddhists from all corners of Myanmar. From Taung Kalat, you can gaze upon the valley below, and on clear days, the Irrawaddy River comes into view.
An unmissable activity when exploring Bagan is a serene boat journey along the tranquil Irrawaddy River, indulging in moments of relaxed comfort. The boat is beautifully equipped with ample seating, delicious food, and refreshments at an affordable cost.
On July 6, 2019, UNESCO officially recognized the ancient city of Bagan as a World Cultural Heritage.
Best Time to Visit
The optimal time to visit Bagan is from October to March, with peak season in January and February. The weather during this period is pleasantly cool, with minimal rainfall, numerous festivals, and breathtaking landscapes, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Getting to Bagan
From Vietnam, you can choose to fly to the capital city Yangon with airlines such as Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Air Asia, Thai Airways, and more. From Yangon, you can purchase domestic flight tickets or take a bus to Bagan.
Bus: Buses in Myanmar are exceptionally clean and comfortable. It's recommended to opt for the bus services provided by JJ Express or Elite Express.
Domestic Flights: You have the option to select domestic airlines with routes to Bagan, such as Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Air KBZ, Yangon Airways, etc. Ticket prices range from 80-120 USD one way.
Accommodation
In Bagan, the area is divided into three main regions: Old Bagan, New Bagan, and the town of Nyaung-U. Old Bagan is more expensive, but you'll be closer to the ancient temple area. Accommodation prices in New Bagan and Nyaung-U town range from 20-60 USD per night on average.
Transportation for Sightseeing in Bagan
Horse-drawn carts, cars, and bicycles are the primary means of transportation in Bagan. Horse-drawn carts are the most favored, and the cart drivers can act as free guides for you. The full-day rental cost ranges around 25,000 kyats (approximately 400,000 VND), while half-day rental is 15,000 kyats (around 230,000 VND).
Bicycles are also a popular choice for Bagan travelers. Regular bicycles have a rental price of 1,500 kyats/day, while electric bicycles can be rented for 7,000 kyats/day.
Important Note
The cost of hot air balloon rides in Bagan is quite high, ranging from 300-400 USD depending on the season.
The Taunggyi Tazaungdaing hot air balloon festival in November is a highly enticing event in this area.
When entering the temples in Bagan, it is necessary to remove your shoes. Wear modest attire and avoid wearing sleeveless tops or short skirts.
Source: Dương Quán Hạ/Tuổi trẻ
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourJuly 26, 2019
