Bagan Travel Essentials
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Ideal duration: 2-3 Days
Best Time: November to February Read More
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Also Refered As:Old Bagan
"One of the World's Greatest Archaeological Sites"
Bagan Tourism
Bagan is an ancient city located on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River in Mandalay region in Central Myanmar. Bagan was formerly a capital and a centre of a powerful Pagan empire which flourished for over 400 years. Today, it is a renowned UNESCO heritage site. The old town area is one of the most visited destinations in the country, who visit the Bagan Archaeological Zone, which comprises of the remains of over 4000 Buddhist temples and monasteries, around 1000 of which remain today.
Bagan's rich culture, history, architecture and Buddhist temples have attracted travelers from around the world, from as early as the times of Marco Polo, who was besotted by the beauty of this town. Bagan attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year who romanticize the beauty of the horizon witnessing sunsets and gorgeous sunrises over these pagodas.
Hot Air Balloon rides are very popular and are one of the ways of experiencing this enriching town. Nyaung U, located 2km away from Old Bagan has become an excellent base for travelers due to plenty of cheap accommodation, restaurants and tourist amenities.
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History of Bagan
For the next 300 years, Bagan functioned as the centre of the political, economic and cultural capital of the prosperous Pagan Empire. The city of Bagan and the Pagan empire declined at the end of the 14th century due to repeated invasion of Mongols and the migration of people to other regions due to declining land conditions.
By the end of the 15th century, Bagan turned into a pilgrim site with fewer residents. From the 1900s until now, Bagan has faced more than 400 earthquakes, which destroyed thousands of temples. Now, less than 2000 sites remain, and the government has been making efforts to preserve them.
Tips for Visiting Bagan
- Earlier, it was possible to climb on top of temples to watch the sunset or sunrise, but it is now banned. But many locals try to scam by claiming to know about secret pagodas offering great sunset views, and they would offer to show for money. Avoid these people as it is false, and also it is illegal to climb temples, and you may be fined.
- Start your day early, preferably around sunrise to comfortably explore the sites. The weather gets hot, humid and sweaty no matter the time of the year, which makes it exhausting as the day progresses.
- There are plenty of accommodation options available in Bagan, but the cheap and the best ones tend to get booked, especially during the high season. So, it is best to book them in advance if you are a budget traveler.
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