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yet unspoiled by mass tourism, the small town of Bagan close to the archaeological
site is destined to develop rapidly as tourism increases. In fact, the town is
already well supplied with numerous small hotels and guest houses, and a few top
class hotels. Package tour itineraries usually feature only a one-night stay,
but this vast site can be explored intricately for more than a week. A map is
essential and transport available includes hired bicycles and horse-drawn carts.
Hot air balloon trips are planned over the site. The local village boasts a museum,
market, temple, several lacquerware workshops and a golf course  At
its height, in the early 11th century, Bagan was the world centre of Theravada
Buddhism, with more than 13,000 pagodas covering the plains bordered by two sides
of the Ayeyarwady River. But the city fell to the invasion of Kublai Kahn's hordes
in 1287 and was abandoned, leaving only 3000 pagodas remaining in the midst of
the Mongol destruction. Covering an area of more than 40 sq. km, this is one of
the world's richest archaeological sights, with no two of the red baked brick
monuments the same. Below is a list of the most beautiful and unusual.
Bagan
is one of the Jewels of the Mekong - click here
- for our feature  Ananda
Temple - Built in 1091 by Kyanzittha, the temple is said to represent the
endless wisdom of the Buddha. The central square has sides of 53 metres, and rises
in terraces to a height of 51 metres. Having suffered considerable damage in the
earthquake of 1975, the temple, one of the finest, largest and best preserved,
was reconstructed in 1979.
Bupaya
Pagoda - Thought to be the oldest in Bagan, dating from the 3rd century, this
riverbank pagoda was completely destroyed when it collapsed into the river in
the 1975 earthquake, and has been totally rebuilt.
Dhammayangyi
Temple - Built by King Narathu (1160- 65) and similar to the Ananda, this
later temple is generally considered to possess the finest brickwork of Bagan.
Gawdawpalin
Temple - Built during the reign of Narapatisithu (1174-1211), this is one
of the largest and most imposing of the Bagan temples - cube shaped with Buddha
images on the four sides of the ground floor. The top terrace affords excellent
views of sunset over the Ayeyarwady. The Gawdawpalin was badly damaged by the
earthquake in 1975, and reconstruction was started in 1979.
Lawkahteikpan
Temple - This small temple has frescoes and inscriptions in both Myanmar and
Mon scripts.
Mahabodhi
Pagoda - Built during the reign of Nantaungmya (1211-1234), it is modelled
after Indian style temples, and is unique in Myanmar. The pyramid shaped spire
is covered in niches, each enclosing a seated Buddha figure.
Mingalazedi
Pagoda - Built three years before the invasion of Kublai Khan's horsemen,
in 1284, this pagoda is considered the most beautifully proportioned of all Bagan's
monuments.
Nathlaung
Kyaung - Built in 931 by King Taungthugyi, about a century before the southern
school of Buddhism came to Bagan, this is the only remaining Hindu temple, dedicated
to the Hindu god Vishnu. A central brick pillar supports the dome and crumbled
sikhara, which originally had figures of Vishnu on each of the four sides.
Pahtothamaya
Temple - The interior of this single storey structure is dimly lit with the
small, perforated stone windows that typify this early type of Mon-influenced
temple. It was probably built during the reign of Kyanzittha (1084-1113).
Pitakat
Taik - King Anawrahta built this library in 1058 to house the 30 elephant
loads of Buddhist scriptures with which he returned from the sacking of Thaton.
It was repaired in 1738. The architecture of the square building is notable for
the perforated stone windows, and the plaster carvings on the roof.
Shinbinthalyaung
- This long brick structure houses an impressive 11th century, 18 metre reclining
Buddha and is situated beside the Shwesandaw.
Shwegugyi
Temple - Built by Alaungsithu in 1311, this temple is an early example of
a transition in architectural styles, which resulted in airy, lighter buildings.
The temple is also notable for its fine stucco carvings and for the stone slabs
in the inner walls.
Shwesandaw
Pagoda - King Anawrahta built this graceful circular pagoda in 1057 following
his conquest of Thaton. The five terraces once held terra-cotta plaques showing
scenes from the Jataka.
Shwezigon
Pagoda - Started in the 11th century, the pagoda is one of the first buildings
in a unique Burmese style, while older pagodas were built in Mon style. It is
said that the pagoda was built to enshrine the tooth, collar-bone and headband
relics of the Buddha, and so has become a revered place of pilgrimage. Two great
kings, noted for their patronage of the religion, are associated with the Shwezigon:
Anawrahta (1044-1077) and Kyansittha (1084-1113).
Sulamani
Temple - Built in 1181 by Narapatisithu, this is a fine example of a later,
more sophisticated, temple style, with better interior illumination. The interior
was once painted with fine frescoes, only traces of which now remain.
Thatbyinnyut
Temple - Built by Alaungsithu in the mid-12th century, this 61 metre tall
temple is the highest in Bagan. The stone supports which once held the temple's
huge bronze bell are now located in a monastery compound southwest of the Thatbyinnyut.
To the north east stands a small "tally pagoda", built using one brick for every
10,000 used in the main temple.
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