Destination : Nyaung U (Bagan)
 NYAUNG
U ( BAGAN )
Bagan covers an area of 42 square km and has
more than 2,000 well-preserved pagodas and temples dating
from the 11th through 13th centuries. Bagan is one of the most significant and
popular tourist attractions in Myanmar, and the area is
dotted with thousands of pagodas, many of them ancient.
Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia,
and it was the capital of the first Myanmar Empire.
Things to See
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Ananda Pagoda |
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Ananda Pagoda is one of the
finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the
Bagan temples after it was fully restored from the 1975
earthquake. Built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this
pagoda contains four large wooden Buddha figures, which two
of them appear to change their expression the closer you
stand to the figure. |
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Dhammayangyi |
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The Dhammayangyi was built in
the 12th century by King Kalagya Min and resembles a pyramid
from the side. Impressive mortar-less brickwork - the king
ordered that the bricks fit together so tightly as not to
admit even a pin to pass between them. Otherwise (it is
said) he cut off the workers' hands. |
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Kyan-sit-thar Umin |
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This cave temple was built in
the 11th century, into a cliff face, with frescoes. It
served as a monastery and features a few small rooms, which
were home to the monks. |
 Shwezigone
Pagoda
Started by Anawratha, the Shwezigone
Pagoda was completed by the reign of Kyanzittha (1084-1113). The
stupa's graceful bell shape became the prototype for Myanmar's
pagodas. It was said that the Shwezigone was built to enshrine one
of the four replicas of the Buddha tooth from Kandy, Sri Lanka, and
to mark the northern edge of the city. The other three tooth
replicas went to three other stupas marking the east, south and west
of the city.
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Upali Thein |
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Upali Thein is one of the few
Ordination Halls still standing and is named after a
well-known monk named Upali. Inside Upali Thein are
beautifully painted frescos from the late 17th century. |
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Mingala-Zedi |
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This Blessing Stupa, built in
1277 by Narathihapati, has been known for its fine
proportions and the many beautiful glazed jataka tiles
around its terraces. It is one of the most westerly pagodas. |
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Shwe Sandaw Paya |
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Built by King Anawratha in
1057, the zedi bell rises from two octagonal bases, which
cap the five square terraces. This was the first monument in
Bagan to feature stairways leading up from the bottom. The
hti (umbrella), which was toppled by the earthquake, still
lies on the far side of the paya compound. |
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