Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Temples of Bagan
Why Go?
Marco Polo, who may have visited on his travels, described Bagan as 'one of the finest
sights in the world'. Despite centuries of neglect, looting, erosion and regular earthquakes,
not to mention questionable restoration, this temple-studded plain remains a remarkably
impressive and unforgettable vision.
In a 230-year building frenzy up until 1287 and the Mongol invasions, Bagan's kings
commissioned more than 4000 Buddhist temples. These brick and stucco religious struc-
tures are all that remain of their grand city, with the 11th- to 13th-century wooden build-
ings having long gone.
Many restoration projects have resulted in an archaeological site that can barely be de-
scribed as ruins. Often the restorations bear little relation to the building styles and tech-
niques used at the time of original. Still, Bagan remains a wonder. Working temples such
as Ananda Pahto, give a sense of what the place was like at its zenith, while others conceal
colourful murals and hidden stairways leading to exterior platforms and jaw-dropping
views across the plain.
When to Go
