Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Face to lure her brother Lord Handsome, whom he feared, out of hiding. When the king
had Handsome burned at the stake, his sister jumped in too; only her face was saved
from the fire.
Superstitious locals don't venture through the gate by motorbike, car or horse cart
without first paying a one-time offering to the
nat
(usually a bunch of bananas and a
couple of coconuts) to ensure protection against traffic accidents. Don't worry: bicycles
are OK, blessing-free.
A number of restaurants are past the former moat, about 650ft (200m) east.
Mahabodhi Paya
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Unlike any other Bagan temple, this monument, located on the north side of the main
road 1000ft (350m) west of the gate, is modelled after the famous Mahabodhi temple in
Bodhgaya, India, which commemorates the spot where the Buddha attained enlighten-
ment. Built during the reign of Nantaungmya in 1215, the temple's unusual pyramidal
spire is richly coated in niches enclosing seated buddha figures, rising from a square
block. The stairway to the top is closed.
Inside is a modern makeover, with tile floor and carpet. The ruined buildings just north
feature some original glazed painting fragments.
Bupaya
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
On the bank of the Ayeyarwady (reached from the Nyaung U road, about 650ft (200m)
northwest of the Mahabodhi Paya), this cylindrical Pyu-style stupa, named for
bu
(gourd), is said to date back to the 3rd century, further than any Bagan temple. Most
likely it was erected around the same time as the city walls (around AD 850).
What's seen now - a gold stupa above a row of crenulated terraces leading down to the
water - is a reconstruction; the 1975 earthquake demolished the original.
Off the road to the southeast is the Pebinkyaung Paya, a 12th-century pagoda built in a
unique Sinhalese style.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
BAGAN'S MOST SIGNIFICANT TEMPLES
U Thein Lwin, Deputy Director General, Department of Archaeology, Bagan, recom-
mends hismost significant temples to see:
