Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Take in all the colours of the sunset from
Shwesandaw Paya
(
Click here
)
or
Buledi
(
Click here
)
, or enjoy the spectacle, minus the crowds, at
Thabeik Hmauk
(
Click here
)
Admire the intricate murals decorating
Upali Thein
(
Click here
) and
Abeyadana
Pahto
(
Click here
)
Get acquainted with the 37
nats
at the beautiful
zedi
Shwezigon Paya
(
Click
Inspect the fine internal ornamental work of
Sulamani Pahto
(
Click here
)
, a
temple known as the Crowning Jewel
History
According to Pali inscriptions found here, Bagan kings apparently flirted with a couple
of different city names during its heyday, including Arimaddanapura (City of the Enemy
Crusher) and the less dramatic Tambadipa (Copper Land). The name Bagan may in fact
derive from Pyugan, a name first written down by the Annamese of present-day Vietnam
in the mid-11th century as Pukam. The British in the 19th century called the site 'Pagan'
while the military junta switched it back to Bagan in 1989.
BAGAN IN …
Many visitors set aside just two days in Bagan even though it is easy to spend four
or five days here and still leave much unexplored. Personalise the following itinerar-
ies or consider renting a bike and heading off to view thousands of other random
sights - the real pleasure of Bagan comes from a leisurely soaking up of its scale
and time-slip atmosphere.
One Day
ing south to Bagan's most popular temple, Ananda Pahto (
Click here
)
and west to
Thatbyinnyu Pahto (
Click here
)
, near where it is possible to climb up the old city
wall.
Just west is where King Anawrahta stored all the non-Buddhist images at Nath-
laung Kyaung (
Click here
)
. Back on the main road, backtrack towards Tharabar
Gate and detour on the gravel road for a river view from Bupaya (
Click here
).
In the afternoon visit lacquerware shops in
Myinkaba
, climb up the hidden stairs
in modern Manuha Paya and see the bas-relief figures in Nan Paya (
Click here
)
.
