Bagán

Bagán

La ciudad de Bagán (antiguamente Pagan), como Mandalay, está situada también en las orillas del río Yrrawady, y al sur de ésta. Es una de las joyas del sudeste de Asia con sus numerosas pagodas y templos esparcidos en sus inmediaciones.

Hasta 1990 Bagan era sólo una pequeña población, de aspecto antiguo, cerca del conjunto monumental. Pero en esa fecha la Junta militar decidió trasladar todos los habitantes del entorno a un nuevo asentamiento, que es el Bagán actual, donde se encuentran ahora la mayoría de los hoteles.

Bagán fue la primera capital del Imperio Birmano, desde el siglo XI al XIII, hasta ser arrasada por los hombres de Gengis Khan. Aun quedan 2.220 pagodas de lo que antes fue una gran ciudad que albergaba palacios y monasterios, la mayoría de ellos construidos en madera, lo que explica su destrucción: la zona ha sido continuamente castigada con incendios y terremotos. El rey Anawrata (1044-1077), mandó construir Bagán como acción de gracias y prueba de mérito, al descubrir las enseñanzas del budismo theravada en el sur de Birmania y adoptarlas como religión de estado.

Bagán

Desgraciadamente, a las hordas de Gengis Khan y a los incendios se añadieron los saqueadores en busca de objetos para los coleccionistas de arte y que contribuyeron también a la destrucción. A pesar de todo, Bagán sigue siendo una joya y un espacio único en el mundo.

Del conjunto monumental destacan las siguientes pagodas:

Templo de Ananda. Enorme templo blanco, mandado construido por el rey Kyanzhuta en 1091, contiene cuatro figuras de Buda. Está cerca del pueblo de Bagan y es uno de los más importantes.

Thatbyinnyu. Es el templo de mayor altura de los de Bagan, con imágenes de Buda en el piso superior y magníficas vistas desde lo alto.

Museo de Bagán. Imágenes de Buda y tesoros de las pagodas y templos.

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Bagán

Gawdawpalin. También cerca del pueblo de Bagan. Gawdawpalin parece más pequeño que Thatbyinnyu. Construído entre 1174 y 1211, es el mejor lugar para contemplar la puesta de sol sobre el río Ayeyarwady. Este templo fue el que probablemente sufrió más daño con el terremoto de 1975, pero ha sido completamente restaurado.

Shwezigon. Esta pagoda dorada, de forma tradicional, fue iniciada por el rey Anawratha y está cerca del pueblo de Nyaung-Oo.

Mingalazedi. Fue uno de los últimos templos en quedar terminado antes de que Kublai Khan saqueara la ciudad. Pueden verse exquisitas baldosas de terracota alrededor de la base de la enorme estupa de forma acampanada.

Dhammanyangyi. Uno de los templos más impresionantes de la llanura, conocido por sus trabajos en ladrillo.

Templo de Sulamani. Es otro de los grandes templos, con frescos interesantes aunque recientes, en sus muros interiores.

Consejos varios para la visita

Para recorrer Bagan, además de la visita en coche al conjunto de ruinas, es interesante alquilar una bicicleta o bien una calesa.

Hay que prever siempre mucho calor, por lo que se recomienda descansar en las horas de más sol. En lo que se refiere a restaurantes, la mejor solución será recurrir a los chinos. Hay uno situado en la entrada

de Swedagon, muy agradable para una cena al aire libre. Comida birmana de cierta calidad se puede conseguir en el River Side, al lado del río.

En lo que se refiere a artesanía, Bagan es famoso por sus trabajos de laca y por sus marionetas.

Bagán BagánBagán

Alrededores

Es interesante la visita a alguna de las aldeas cercanas, como por ejemplo Mannatu, conocida por su producción de aceite de sésamo. Además, desde ésta o otra aldea próxima se obtiene una bella perspectiva del conjunto monumental de Bagán.

En los alrededores de Bagan -a unos 60 km, cerca de Kyauk Padaung-, se encuentra el Monte Popa. En su cima, colgado sobre una roca en una posición sorprendente, se halla un venerado monasterio. Se llega a él desde Bagán contratando una excursión de un día. O bien se visita cuando desde Bagán se hace el camino por carretera al lago Inle.

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La ascensión al templo se hace a pie, en unos 20 minutos. La vista desde lo alto del monte es espléndida y ofrece un panorama de vegetación boscosa en medio de un paisaje montañoso de origen volcánico. El templo, abigarrado y con el gusto oriental por los dorados y las decoraciones ostentosas, se dedica a los espíritus “nats”, unas formas espirituales anteriores al budismo pero que los birmanos integraron a la religión oficial dentro de la cual convive y constituye un culto sumamente importante en la vida diaria.

Monte Popa Monte Popa Monte Popa

Monte Popa Monte Popa Monte Popa

Bagan

Bagan, ciudad abandonada, llena de fabulosas pagodas y templos a orillas del río Irawadi, fue declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad. Su momento de esplendor se extendió desde el siglo XI hasta el XIII, cuando se construyeron muchos de sus fabulosos edificios.

De sus cinco mil templos, los más interesantes son los de Ananda, Thatbyinnyu y Gawdawpalin.

Bagan

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Thatbyinnyu Pahto Temple; Bagan, Myanmar

Definitely the least visited Ruin that we have ever visited. Bagan is a wonder of Asia. Located in Myanmar (Burma) we took a ferry from Mandalay on the Irrawady River to the ruins.  This Buddhist complex was built in 1057 and covers 16 square miles.

We hired a horse cart to take us through the complex and it was magical.  Time stands still in most of Burma and this feeling is even heightened in Bagan.  Farmers ride by on their ox carts, very few many locals pray at the temples and monks walk the street in the morning searching for alms.

Like most other ruins, the highlight is walking to the top of  the highest temple; Thatbyinnyu Pahto to overlook the complex.  But one of the most extraordinary temples is Ananda Pahto.  Inside stands 4 giant Buddhas and two sacred Buddha footprints. Visiting Bagan made a believer out of me! It is a spiritual sight that gives off a feeling of calm and peace.

What we loved about Bagan was how we could enter almost all of the temples.  We studied their scriptures up close and checked out the architecture.  This was actually the only ruin that we spent 2 full days exploring.  It is just to big and extraordinary.

It is sad that this extraordinary site is located in a country run by a military junta.  They unfortunately are doing a terrible job restoring the pagodas. Shoddy work with no care for staying with its original design.  But the temples that are restored and have weathered time are an incredible sight and worth a visit.  It would have been higher on the list if the government didn’t repress its people so much.  How can we give a site top marks if it isn’t staying true to the message of its ancestors and respecting its people.

The Incredible Temples of Bagan, Mynmar

Everyone loves ancient ruins.

I find that we are drawn to find out about the past and to explore how people lived centuries ago, we already felt as if we had stepped back in time while travelling through Myanmar, but to enter the grounds of the magnificent ruins of Bagan, we definitely felt that nothing had changed here for centuries.

Built between 1000 and 1300 AD, Bagan has to be one of the least visited temple complexes in South East Asia.

For Centuries, the Burmese people had lived within the grounds of Bagan, but unfortunately as with everything in Myanmar, the military started clearing them out in 1990.

Located on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, it is a sight to behold.

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Time Stands Still at Bagan

Unesco tried to make Bagan a world heritage sight, but the Myanmar Military Junta has refused and restored the temples in a shoddy manner.  They didn’t stay true to style or design, but  still it is a magnificent place to visit for the sheer volume and scenery.

Thatbyinnyu Pahto

With over 2000 Pagodas and Temples spanning across 40 miles of land it is truly magical to stand atop Thatbyinnyu Pahto temple to look out over the countryside and the entire complex of Bagan.

We saw the temple ruins on horse cart. I highly recommend this way of seeing them.  There is a lot of ground to cover and to travel from place to place listening to the clip clop of your horse really puts you in a great mood.

Seeing Bagan by Horse Cart

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Young Monks at Shwezigon Temple

We visited many temples on our first day. The first stop was the Shwezigon Temple.  It was magnificent.  A huge golden temple that was so large, we had difficulty fitting into our photo.  Many of Myanmar’s temples are fashioned after this temple and it is still used as a place of worship.

Temple of Bagan

Shwezigon Temple of Bagan

Our next stop was Ananda Pahto.  It was the inside that was extraordinary with 4 giant Buddha Statues facing north, south, east and west.   We also saw Buddha’s footprint.

Ananda Pato, Buddha

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The highlight was standing atop to actually see a panoramic view of all of the temples of Bagan. This was the view I had seen on so many travel shows in the past. The view that made me want to go there and the view that was definitely worth the trip.

Note: Make sure to see the temples early in the morning as the days are very hot.

Bagan Temples

Difficult Life in Burma

Like everything in Burma, Bagan was not easy. Children tried to make money by selling post cards or to give you a tour. Everyone was struggling to make a living and it was difficult not to give something to everyone.

Because of the history of how the junta is treating its people, you can’t help but feel guilty entering the grounds. After all, your entry fee is going directly to an oppressive regime.

Working hard in Bagan

However, when I gave my horse cart driver a large tip on top of what we paid him for the tour I felt that I was at least helping him in my own little way. He had just had a baby a week earlier, so tourist money would be desperately needed for him since that is how he makes his living.  And I do sound like a broken record whenever I say this, but I feel that to visit a country can only help it.

How would you feel if the whole world refused to take notice of you because of your government?

The People of Burma that we met welcome Tourists.

If people keep visiting and attempting to travel responsibly, change is bound to happen.

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Reclining Buddha-see the dog sleeping?

On a side note: I hear that there are luxury resorts and a golf course at Bagan, thank God I never saw them. I cannot believe that people would go to the grounds of an ancient and important spiritual place in history to play golf.

BAGAN (PAGAN)

Bagan - (also known as Pagan) is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Bagan is also famous for its tranquillity and majesty.What to wear, carry - Casual and light clothing is recommended but not skimpy dress nor those that may offend reserved nature of Myanmar. Light sweater or jacket will be useful early in the morning and late evening especially outside during cold season. Shoes and other footwear must be removed before entering pagodas, temples, monasteries and other religious buildings and homes. A pair of Myanmar slippers will be very useful.Currency - It is recommended that enough Myanmar Currency (Kyats) should be carried as there are only very few authorized money changer in Bagan. Foreign Exchange Currency (FEC) and US dollars are widely accepted.Export of antiques - and archaeological objects are prohibited. Visitors are advised to buy only the allowed items of handicrafts and art objects from the registered souvenir shops. Insist on to obtain the certified receipt from the shops. Visitors are requested to show the receipt upon request by the responsible official concerned. Any illegal trade of prohibited items will result in heavy penality.

The allowed items

Modern lacquerwares & tapestries. Modern figurines (However, bronze Buddha images, bonze weights in Hamsa and Lion design, and Pyu

artisans brozen figurines are not allowed).

Modern wooden carvings and marionettes.

Clay and terra-cotta art-objects (However, clay tobacco pipes and terra-cotta votive tablets are not allowed).

Pictures made of straw, oil color paintings, water-color painting, modern cloth-paintings mosaic picture on wooden plaques.

Bone figurines.

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Bagan is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar. One of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, it is located on the east bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. The whole space is thickly studded with pagodas of all sizes and shapes. At one time there were 13,000 temples, pagodas and religious structures. Today, only over 2000 well-preserve pagodas & temples of the 11th - 13th century. Surrounding all this are wonderful villages, where life goes on much as it did when the temples were at their peak, and here too, cottage crafts remain, including the making of the best lacquerware in Myanmar.

How to Get There ?It takes about one hour and twenty minutes to fly from Yangon to Bagan. There are daily flights to Bagan from Yangon, and regular flights from Mandalay, which take only 20 minutes. There are 4 domestic Airlines, Myanmar Airways, Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways & Air Bagan.

By overland, it takes 12 hours from Yangon and 7 hours from Mandalay by Coach. There is a regular train between Bagan and Mandalay too. There is also a double-decker steamer service between Mandalay and Bagan and the cruises

What to see ?Ananda Temple --- The Ananda Temple built after the Shwe Zigon in 1090 is the masterpiece of the early style temple architecture. There are four huge Buddha images in the standing position and eighty relieves depicting the life of the Buddha from his Birth to his Enlightenment. Ananda Pagoda Festival is yearly celebrated on Full moon day of Pyartho.

Shwe Zigon Pagoda --- This golden pagoda was the first monument built in the Myanmar style, the prototype for later pagodas. It was first built by King Anawrahta and completed by King Kyan Sittha in 1087. 'Nat' (spirit) images can be found within its precincts. Shwe Zigon Festival is celebrated on full moon day of Tasungmone.

Thatbyinnyu Temple --- Over 66 meters high, and built by King Alaungsithu in the middle of the 12th century, this white stucco building overtops all other monuments as the highest pagoda on the Bagan plain.

 Manuhar Pagoda --- The Manuhar Payar was built by King Manuhar from Thaton. King Manuhar sold a piece of his jewelry for a fabulous sum in Bagan and built a shine there, probably to portray his life as a POW, (Prisoner-of-war). You can see the shrine today huge images of the Buddha inside a low and narrow building, clearly conveying a sense of confinement. Manuhar Pagoda festival is yearly celebrate on First day over Thidingyut full-moon day.

Dhamma Yangyi Temple --- Bagan's most massive temple, Dhamma Yangyi Temple was built by King Narathu in 1167. This temple was not finished but it displayed the finest brickwork.

Shwegugyi Temple --- Standing on the high brick plinth, this temple was built by King Alaungsithu in 1131 AD. The arch pediments, pilasters, plinth and cornice molding are decorated with fine stucco carvings, evident of Myanmar architecture of the early 12th Century.

Gawdaw Palin Temple --- This 13th century temple is like That Byinnyu, about 60 metres high with a fine view of the Bagan plains. Festival of Gawdaw Palin Temple is celebrated on full moon day of Thidingyut.

Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyi-In) --- It is a 13th century temple with a spire resembling the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in India. This temple is known for its wall paintings depicting scenes from the Jatakas (life stories of the Buddha).

Bupaya Pagoda --- Standing on the brink of the Ayeyarwaddy River, the Bupaya Pagoda is a conspicuous landmark for travelers along the river. This pagoda with bulbous dome resembling the "Bu" or gourd is a favorite spot for visitors to watch the sunset.

Archaeological Museum --- The museum run by Archaeological Department is situated near the Gawdawpalin Temple. It has a collection of more than 2,000 items including Buddha statues, stucco pieces, terra-cotta cups and pots. Open daily except Monday and public holidays.

Shopping --- Masterpieces of lacquerware have been the pride of Bagan since the days of the Bagan Empire. It is still the main industry of Bagan today and you can observe the making process of lacquerware from the beginning to the finished products ready for sale at the shops. Lacquerware like bowls, boxes, trays and paintings are the best souvenirs of Bagan.

Important FactThere will be a zone fees 10 $ for all foreigners to enter the Bagan Archaeological Zone.

Bagan (Pagan)

The main tourist destination in Myanmar is Bagan, capital of the first Myanmar Empire; one of the richest archaeological sites in South-east Asia. Situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyawaddy River, it is reached by a 90 minute flight from Yangon. The 42 sq km area of Bagan contains over 2000 edifices, the well-preserved pagodas and temples representing the rich cultural heritage of the 11th - 13th century.

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The town of Bagan (formerly spelled as "Pagan"), central Myanmar (Burma), situated on the left bank of the Irrawaddy River and approximately 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Mandalay. The site of an old capital city of Myanmar, Pagan is a pilgrimage centre and contains ancient Buddhist shrines that have been restored and redecorated and are in current use. Ruins of other shrines and pagodas cover a wide area. An earthquake on July 8, 1975, severely damaged more than half of the important structures and irreparably destroyed many of them. The whole of the Buphaya Pagoda, for nine centuries a landmark for river-boatmen, tumbled into the Irrawaddy and was carried off by the waters. The village also has a school for lacquerware, for which the region is noted.

Pagan's importance lies in its heritage rather than its present. It was first built probably in AD 849 and, from the 11th century to the end of the 13th, was the capital of a region roughly the size of modern Myanmar. In 1287 it was overrun by the Mongols during their wide-ranging conquests, and it never recovered its position, though a little desultory building continued on Buddhist shrines.

Old Pagan was a walled city, its western flank resting on the Irrawaddy River. It was the focus of a network of high roads by means of which its rulers could command a large region of fertile plains and could dominate other major Myanmar dynastic cities, such as Pegu. From the port of Thiripyissaya, further down the river, important overseas trade was conducted with India, Ceylon, and other regions of Southeast Asia. The walls of the old city, within which lies a substantial area of the modern town, probably originally contained only royal, aristocratic, religious, and administrative buildings. The populace is thought to have lived outside in homes of light construction closely resembling those occupied by the present-day inhabitants. The walled city, whose moats were fed by the Irrawaddy, was thus a sacred dynastic fortress. The circuit of its walls and river frontage is some 2.5 miles (4 km), and there is evidence that perhaps as much as a third of the old city has been washed away by the river. Because building was principally in brick, decoration was carried out in carved brick, in stucco, and in terra-cotta. The earliest surviving structure is probably the 10th-century Nat Hlaung Gyaung. The shrines that stand by the Sarabha Gate in the eastern wall, although later than the wall they adjoin, are also early. These are shrines of protecting nats--the traditional spirit deities of the animist ethnic Burmans.

Between about 500 and 950, people of the Burman ethnic group had been infiltrating from the north into a region occupied by other peoples; these people already had been converted to Indian religion, especially the Mahayana Buddhism of Bihar and Bengal. Under King Anawrahta (reigned 1044-77), the ethnic Burmans finally conquered the other peoples of the region, including a people called the Mon, who were previously dominant in the south. They transported the Mon royal family and their scholars and craftsmen to Pagan, making it the capital and centre of an official, fundamentalist form of Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism adopted from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), about 1056. This initiated the period of Pagan's greatness, which was sustained at first by Mon artistic traditions. The enormous number of monasteries and shrines built and maintained during the next 200 years was made possible both by the great wealth of the royal exchequer and by the large number of slaves, skilled and unskilled, whose working lives were dedicated to the support of each institution. The city became one of the most important centres of Buddhist learning.

Lesser buildings are grouped around the more important pagodas and temples. Scattered around these are smaller pagodas and buildings, some of which may once have been aristocratic palaces and pavilions later adapted to monastic uses--e.g., as libraries and preaching halls. All are based on Indian prototypes, modified during subsequent development by the Mon. The principal architectural theme is the Buddhist stupa, a tall bell dome, designed originally to contain near its apex the sacred relics of Buddhist saints. Another is the high, terraced plinth, which may be supplemented by stairs, gateways, extra stupas, and pinnacles and symbolizes a sacred mountain. During the course of artistic evolution the themes were frequently combined, and the combination opened into a complex rectangular hall with porticos extended from the sides, crowned by a stupa or, in some cases, by a rectangular tower of curved outline reminiscent of the contemporary Indian Hindu shrine tower. Interior arches and vaults, both rounded and pointed, are, however, constructed by a true radiating-arch technique that was not used in India. A vista across the site of Pagan shows a series of variations and combinations of the themes. Many buildings, especially those no longer in use and hence unrestored, bear substantial remains of external, decorative stucco and terra-cotta (adding flamboyance to the finely proportioned rectilinear structures) and internal paintings and terra-cottas recording Buddhist legend and history.

Anawrahta constructed the Shwezigon pagoda. Nearby he built a nat shrine with images. The Shwezigon is a huge, terraced pyramid, square below, circular above, crowned by a bell-shaped stupa of traditional Mon shape and adorned with stairways, gates, and decorative spires. It is much revered and famous for its huge golden umbrella finial encrusted with jewels. It was considerably damaged in the earthquake of 1975. Also revered are the late 12th-century pyramidal Mahabodhi, built as a copy of the temple at the site of the Buddha's enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, in India, and the Ananda temple mountain just beyond the east gate, founded in 1091 under King Kyanzittha. By the time the Thatpyinnyu temple was built (1144), Mon influence was waning, and a Burman architecture had evolved. Its four stories, resembling a two-staged pyramid, and its orientation are new. Its interior rooms are spacious halls, rather than sparsely lit openings within a mountain mass, as in the earlier style. This building combined the functions of stupa, temple, and monastery. The Burman style was further developed in the great Sulamani temple and culminated in the Gawdawpalin, dedicated to the ancestral spirits of the dynasty (late 12th century), whose exterior is decorated with miniature pagodas, the interior with extremely lavish, coloured surface ornament.

Where to Visit in Bagan

Bagan Museum

An interesting museum stands close to Ananda Temple, which houses a large number of images and other fine art works found in temples around Bagan.

 Ananda Temple

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Probably the finest largest and best preserved of all the Bagan temples. Ananda Temple suffered considerable damage in the earthquakes in history. Built by King Kyanzitthar (AD 1064-1113), the temple is said to represent the endless wisdom of the Buddha. The central square has sides of 175 feet (53m) and rises in terraces to the crown 168 feet high. In the center of the cube are 4 famous standing Buddha images of 31 feet (9.5m) height. The base and terraces are decorated with a great number of glazed tiles showing scenes from the earlier lives of Buddha. In the western sanctum there are life size statues of the temple's founder and his primate while in the west porch there are two footprints of Buddha on pedestals.

 Sarabha Gateway

The ruins of the main gate on the east wall are all that remain of the old 9th century city. The gate is guarded by brother and sister angels, finding brother in the left, and the sister in the right. Traces of old stucco can still be seen on the gateway.

 Thatbyinnyu Temple

The name itself stands for "The Omniscience", and is the highest temple in Bagan, rising up to 200 feet (61m) and was built by Alaungsithu (AD 1113-1167) too. In a monastery compound slightly southwest of the temple there are stone supports which one held the temple's huge bronze bell. Northeast of the temple stands a small Tally Pagoda, which was built of one brick per 10,000 bricks used in the main temple.

 Shwe Gugyi Temple

Built by King Alaungsithu (AD 1113-1167), 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 wall, which tell its history including the fact that its construction took seven months only.

 Bagan Library (Pitakat Taik)

Following the fall of Thaton Kingdom in the south, King Anawrahtar (AD 1044-1077) brought 30-elephant-loads of Buddhist scriptures and built this library to house them in 1058. 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 in imitation of Myanmar wood carvings.

 Thandawgyar Image

This 19-feet (6m) high stone Buddha image was built in 1284.

 Sulamani Temple

This temple is similar to Htilominlo and the Gawdawpalin in architecture but with better interior lighting. It stands beyond the Dhammayangyi Temple and was built in 1181 by Narapatisithu (AD 1174-1211). The interior was once painted with fine frescoes but only dim traces can be seen today.

 Bupaya Pagoda (Bu Pagoda)

Situated right on the river bank of the Ayeyarwady, this pagoda has been claimed to be the oldest in Bagan, dating back to 3rd century AD. The shape is extraordinary being in the shape of a gourd.

 Gawdawpalin Temple

It is one of the largest temples in Bagan, built during the reign of King Narapatisithu. Severly damaged by the earthquake of 1975. The tip of the temple, was as high as 180 feet (55m).

 Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyi-in)

A 13th century temple with a spire resembling the Mahabodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya in India: the Gubyaukgyi is noted for its wall paintings, depicting scenes from the previous lives of the Buddha.

 Htilominlo Temple

Built by King Nadaungmya in 1211: the 50 metres high Htilominlo is one of the largest temples of Bagan; and is noted for its fine plaster carvings.

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 Dhammayangyi Temple

This massive temple: built by King Narathu in the 12th century, displays the finest brickwork in Bagan.

 Shwezigon Pagoda

Built by King Anawrahta, founder of the first Myanmar Empire, and finished by King Kyansittha in 1084; the Shwezigon was held in special reverence by successive kings and became the prototype for later Myanmar pagodas.

Where to Visit near Bagan (Pagan)

Mount Popa

About 67 km southeast of Bagan is Mount Popa, an extinct volcano over 1,500 metres high, rising out of the plains. It is famed as the abode of the Mahagiri Nats or Spirit gods to whom the Kings of Bagan paid annual homage and their shrines can be seen at a nearby rocky crag.

Travelling to Bagan by Land

Bagan, the ancient city in Central Myanmar is accessible by road, by train and by air. The distance between Yangon and Bagan is 684 kilometers by road. The road passes through the plains, mostly cultivated. The crop land on either side is part of the 8.8 million cultivated hectares of Myanmar. Along the road, travellers can see emerald green paddy fields of varying sizes. Occasionally, they will notice a white-washed pagoda or two on hill tops. They will also pass some cities and towns.

The first stretch of the road is from Yangon to Bago, 80 kilometers long. The road passes through the Bago plain. Paddy fields are on either side of the road. Bago Division is a major producer of paddy, the staple food of the nation. Indagaw lies 58 km from Yangon. It is located at the southern edge of the Bago Yoma mountain range and it is the base of the Rubber Plantations Development Project. According to the slogan, "We shall cover the Yoma with white gold", the plantations stretch northward along the base of the Bago Yoma.

Bago is an ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom of Hanthawady. There are many places of interest such as Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Shwethalyaung reclining Buddha image, Mahazedi Pagoda, Kyaikpun Image, Kalyani Sima and the reconstructed Palace of King Bayintnaung.

Next major town after Bago on the way is Toungoo, 200 km away. It is also an ancient capital. Vestiges of the city wall, and the moat stand witness to the town's past. From Toungoo, a road extends to Shan Yoma in the east reaching the northern part of Kayin State and Kayah State. Thandaung, a hill resort in Kayah State, is also accessible by this road.

Toungoo is famous for its products bananas, tea, coffee, betel nuts and cardamom.  Then, comes Pyinmana, 110 km from Toungoo. Just beyond the town, there lies the Yezin Dam. The Yezin Agricultural Institute and the Institute of Animal Husbandry are also located in Pyinmana Township.

After Pyinmana, the road enters the Meiktila plain. The rain is scarce in the area. The rainfall in the area is recorded less than 125 cm a year. So, vegetation and crops in the area are different. Travellers will not see paddy fields; they will see the fields of groundnut and sesamum, traditional oil crops. There also are fields of beans and pulses, export items.

The next major town in Central Myanmar is Meiktila, 150 km  drive From Pyinmana. Meiktila Lake, which is situated in the centre of the town, is famous. It provides peaceful atmosphere and fresh air. The town serves as the point of access to Shan State in the east, the capital of which is Taunggyi. The highway from Yangon goes on to Mandalay in the north. Bagan-bound travellers will have to follow the road extending to the west. The next town is Kyaukpadaung, 96 km away from Meiktila. They will see a lot of toddy palms on either side of the road. Then, Kyetmauktaung Hill will come into view. There is Kyetmauktaung Dam which irrigates the crop-land in the surrounding areas.

The last stretch of the road from Kyaukpadaung to Bagan is 48 km. Travellers will see Mount Popa in the distance. As it is over 1,500 metres high the area gets rain when the rain clouds pass over it. Mt. Popa is important for the area.

In addition to the scenic view along the road to Bagan, the roadside is of interest with local products and delicacies.

Con sus numerosos templos y estupas Bagan és también conocida como la ciudad de las 1000 pagodas. Rica y exótica. Antaño conocida con el nombre de Pagan, esta ciudad fue capital de varios reinados y centro de la cultura y el comercio.

Tienda Blue Sea

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Calle principal cerca de la rotonda, Bagan

La tienda Blue Sea de Nyaung U está situada en la calle principal y es bien particular.

Se pueden encontrar en ella artículos de cocina y productos de una calidad poco frecuente en Myanmar.

Pero lo más interesante de esta tienda es que se pueden comprar los billetes de tren, con 1 $ de comisión (ir uno mismo a la estación de tren cuesta lo mismo).

Partidos de cane ball en Bagan

Las 17 h. Es la hora oficial del caneball en Myanmar. A esas horas el sol calienta con menos fuerza.

En ese momento salen a la calle los jóvenes para jugar un partido de caneball o para dar símplemente unos toques.

Es muy fácil unirse a ellos para participar del juego.

Hacerlo en Old Bagan tiene la magia de hacerlo junto a templos de más de 800 años de antigüedad, compartiendo toques con hombres vestidos tan sólo con un longyi (una especie de pareo o falta que usan los hombres en Brmania) arremangado como si fuera un pañal.

El mejor templo para tener la oportunidad de unirse al juego es Dhammayangyi , el templo más grande de Bagan.

Sale

Visitors to the ancient capital Bagan often make a 20 miles (15 kilometers) trip south to see Sale (pronounced Sa-lay), an ancient town rich in Myanmar culture. Sale is also on the great Ayeyawady River, like Bagan, another pleasurable way to get there is to go by one of the small motor boats available for hire and which usually leave Bagan from the Bu-Hpaya jetty. Sitting in comfortable cushioned chairs you can watch the river crafts on the big waterway, once the only real life-line of Myanmar, with all the old towns lining its banks.Sale has ancient pagodas which date from the Bagan Period. There are over a hundred ruins around Sale, but unlike Bagan many of them have never been systematically studied by archaeologists and historians. Sale seems to have developed as a town in the latter part of the Bagan Period and has been a centre of Myanmar culture for at least over 700 years.

 Attraction : Yoke Sone Monastery

Sale is famous for its Yoke-sone Kyaung (a 19th century wooden monastery) with exquisite wooden carvings. The whole building is built of wood and is a fine example of monastic architecture of the late Konbaung Period. The main attraction of the monastery is the decorative wooden panels made by the master carvers of the period whose meticulous workmanship is in many ways superior to those of later periods.

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BAGAN

           Bagan was the capital of the first unified Empire of Anawrahta founded in 849 AD, and flourished from 1044 to the 13th century. Within an area of 42 km, thousands of pagodas were built. The inventory of Bagan pagodas as documented by the Archeological Department listed the standing pagodas as 2217. In spite of inclement weather of a thousand year, which had destroyed the precious works of art, whatever survived to this day can still thrill the beholders. Notable among the ancient glory are Shwezigone, Ananda, Thabyinnyu and Dhammayangyi.           Bagan is just 193 km south of Mandalay in Upper Myanmar. It is on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Known as the city of four million pagodas, Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Bagan city covers an area of 42 sq.km. There, one can find over 2,000 pagodas, temples and monasteries built during the Bagan Dynasty founded by King Anawrahta in 1044 AD.           After unifying the country, Anawrahta accomplished another noble deed for the country: he introduced Tharavada Buddhism into Myanmar with the help of Shin Arahan, a missionary monk from Thaton. It was Buddhism that influenced the rulers of Bagan Dynasty to build innumerable pagodas and temples in and around the city. The endless pagodas stand as testimony to the rich cultural heritage of the Myanmars and also to the beauty and grandeur of ancient pagoda.

SARABHA GATEWAY

           The ruins of the main gate on the east wall are all that remain of the old 9th century city. The gate is guarded by brother and sister nats, the male on the left, and the female on the right. Traces of old stucco can still be seen on the gateway.

ANANDA TEMPLE

          One of the finest, largest and best preserved of the Bagan temples, the Ananda suffered considerable damage in the earthquake and in 1979 reconstruction took place. 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 (175 feet) and rises in terraces to a hit 51 metres (168 feet) above the ground. In the center of the cube, four standing Buddhas, nine and a half metres (30 feet) high, represent the four Buddhas who have attained Nirvana.           Only those facing north and south are original, the east and west facing images are replacements for the figures destroyed by fires. The base and the terraces are decorated with a great number of glazed tiles showing scenes from the Jataka. In the western sanctum, there are life size statues of the temple's founder and his Primate, while in the west porch there are two footprints of the Lord Buddha, on pedestals.

Ananda Paogda Carts on the Ananda Road       

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SHWEZIGON PAGODA

           Its golden mass giving it an air of weight and stability, the Shwezigon derives its name from Jeyyabhumi, "Ground of Victory". Two great kings, noted for their patronage of the Religion, are associated with the Shwezigon: Anawrahta (1044-1077) and Kyansittha (1084-1113).           Tradition has it that the holy tooth, collar-bone and frontlet relics of the Buddha are enshrined in the Shwezigon, the tooth presented by the King of Ceylon, the frontlet obtained from Thayekhittaya near modern Prome. The chronicles relate that Anawrahta placed the frontlet relic on a jeweled white elephant and, making a solemn vow, said, " Let the white elephant kneel in the place where the holy relic is fain to rest!" And it was there, at the place where the white elephant knelt, that Anawrahta built the Shwezigon, although he was to finish only the three terraces before he died.           The chronicles go on to relate that on the accession of Kyansittha, the royal teacher Shin Arahan urged him to complete the Shwezigon. Kyansittha then marshaled all his people and quarried rock from Mount Tuywin in the east to build the pagoda. Marvelously, the pagoda was finished in seven months and seven days, and the chronicles record with some pride, "Shwezigon is famous in the world of men and the world of spirits as far as the world of Brahmas."

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 wall, which tell its history, including the fact that its construction took seven months.

THATBYINNYUT TEMPLE

           The highest temple in Bagan, the " omniscient" temple rises to 61 metres (200 feet) and was built by Alaungsithu around the mid-12th century. Repairs to earthquake damage were being completed in 1979. Slightly south-west of the Thatbyinnyu in a monastery compound there is stone supports which once held the temple's huge bronze bell. Northeast of the temple stands a small "tally pagoda" which was built of one brick for every 10,000 bricks used in the main temple.

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MYINKABA PAGODA

           The name Myinkaba itself is connected with the first historical king, Anawrahta (AD 1044-1077) who defeated and killed his half- brother King Sokkate in single combat on horseback near the bank of the Myinkaba stream which still flows through the village sharing the same name. The name Myinkaba means, " Brought on the horse's saddle" (Myin=horse, ka=saddle and ba or pa=brought). Legends say that King Sokkate provoked Anawrahta who mustered his army and marched against Sokkate. They met near Myinkaba stream; Sokkate's lance struck the pommel of Anawrahta's saddle, but Anawrahta's lance pierced Sokkate through and through. Sokkate fell into the stream and died, his body was lost and only his horse's saddle was recovered at the place now known as Myinkaba.           Some of the guides who do not know this legend might wrongly inform visitors that Myinkaba means the " World of Horses" (Myin=horse and kaba=world). Actually the village was known as Myin Bagan in earlier times.           Anawrahta later built a simple, solid stupa called Myinaba Hpayar (Pagoda) to mark the place where he killed his half-brother Sokkate. In a way this was an act of atonement because Anawrahta was said to have been torn with remorse for having to kill his half-brother. This is the earliest of the stupas built by Anawratha and stands on the north bank of the Myinkab Chaung (or stream) where it enters the village of Myinkaba. Some say that it is the place where Anawrahta recovered the saddle of his half-brother.           Myinkaba is about two miles south of the walled Bagan capital city and it was the place where the captive Mon king, Manuha and his family were kept by King Anawrahta, after the conquest of the Mon capital Thaton in Southern Myanmar. By all accounts both legendary and historical, the Mon king was not kept enchained but allowed to live in comfort and some style with a palace of his own, and retainers to wait on him. Later Anawrahta became fearful because whenever Manuha came to see him radiance issued from the Mon king's mouth every time he spoke. Anawrahta restored to a stratagem to demean Manuha's glory, by giving him food that had already been offered at the pagoda. After taking this food, Manuha's radiance vanished.

PITAKAT TAIK

           Following the sack of Thaton, King Anawrahta carted off 30 elephant loads of Buddhist scriptures and built this library to house them in 1058. 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 in imitation of Myanmar woodcarvings.

SULAMANI TEMPLE 

           Like the Htilominlo and the Gawdawpalin this is a prime example of later, more sophisticated temple style, with better internal lighting. It stands beyond the Dhammayangyi Temple and was built in 1181 by Narapatisithu. The interior was once painted with fine frescoes but only traces can be seen today.

NATHLAUNG KYAUNG

           Slightly to the east of the Thatbyinnyu this is the only Hindu temple remaining in Bagan. King Taungthugyi built it in 931; this was about a century before the southern school of Buddhism came to Bagan following the conquest of Thaton. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and around the outside wall are figures of the "ten Avatars", Gautama Buddha was said to be the ninth. The central brick pillar supports the dome and crumbled sikhara and once had figures of Vishnu on each of the four sides. Indian settlers in Bagan - possibly the skilled workers brought to construct other temples, may have built the temple.

GAWDAWPALIN TEMPLE

           One of the largest and most imposing of the Bagan temples, the Gawdawpalin was built during the reign of Narapatisithu (1174-1211) but was very badly damaged by the earthquake in 1975. The reconstruction was started in early 1979. In plan it is somewhat similar to the Thatbyinnyu - cube shaped with Buddha images on the four sides of the ground floor. The top of the stupa, before it fell, reached 55 metres (180 feet) high. The top terrace is still an excellent place to catch the sun setting over the Ayeyarwaddy.

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PAHTOTHAMAYA TEMPLE

           In this same temple crowded central area the Pahtothamaya was probably built during the reign of Kyanzittha (1084-1113). The interior of this single storey building is dimly lit, typical of this early type of Mon-influenced temple with its small, perforated stone windows.

BUPAYA PAGODA

           Right on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy, this pagoda has been claimed to be the oldest in Bagan, dating from the 3rd century AD. It was completely destroyed when it tumbled into the river in the 1975 earthquake, but has been totally rebuilt.

MAHABODHI PAGODA

           Modeled after Indian style temples, this pagoda is unique in Myanmar. It was built during the reign of Nantaungmya (1211-1234). The pyramidal spire, covered in niches each enclosing a seated Buddha figure, rises from a square block.

SHWESANDAW PAGODA

           Following his conquest of Thaton, Anawrahta built this very graceful circular pagoda in 1057. The five terraces once had terra-cotta plaques showing scenes from the Jataka. The pagoda bell rises from two octagonal bases, which top the five square terraces. Close to the Shwesansaw stands the Lawkahteikpan Temple - small but interesting for its excellent frescoes and inscriptions in both Myanmar and Mon.

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SHINBINTHALYAUNG

           Situated right beside the Shwesandaw, this long, brick built, shed-like structure houses and 11th century, 18 metre (60 feet) ling reclining Buddha.

DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE

           Similar in plan to Ananda, this later temple is much more massive looking. It was built by King Narathu (1160-65). The interior of the temple is blocked by brickwork. The Dhammayangyi is the finest brickwork of Bagan.

Bagan Vicinity

MOUNT POPA

             Some 50 km southeast of Bagan, Mount Popa, 1,500 metres high, is an extinct volcano. It is the legendary home of the 'nats' or spirits. The Mount Popa area has also been designated as a National Park, a perfect place for eco-tourism.

Bagan Vicinity

SALE (SA-LAY)

             It is a small town about 15 km south of Bagan, down the Ayeyarwaddy River. U Pone Nya Museum, formerly the Yoke Sone Monastery, exhibits antique laquerwares, wooden reliefs and a large standing gilded Buddha image. The figures carved outside the front of the building are worth seeing. Another place worth visiting is Tha-ta-na Kyaung (Keythar monastery) where Tipitaka texts are housed in a large red lacquered cabinet.

Templos de Bagan

"Mil años, miles de templos"

Bagan, antiguamente Pagan, fue la antigua capital de varios reinados en Birmania. Está en una árida meseta cercana al río Irrawaddy), a 145 kilómetros al sudoeste de Mandalay.

Las ruinas de Bagan cubren un área de 41 km 2. La mayoría de sus edificios fueron construidos del siglo XI al siglo XIII, y Bagan fue la capital del primer imperio birmano.

Recomiendo dedicarle al menos 3 días para visitarla, y la mejor manera es en bici, pero hay que empezar con el amanecer y al mediodía parar 2/3 horas porque el calor es insoportable, y ya por la tarde elegir un templo para ver la puesta de sol, que suele ser espectacular desde

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Para la puesta de solo son muy populares templos como Ananda y Shwesandaw, pero están abarrotados de gente, mi recomendación es buscar durante la visita de día alguno alejado al que se pueda subir y podrás estar sólo o casi.

Para el alojamiento, la mayoría de los mochileros se alojan en Nyaung U, pero yo preferí una posada a mitad de camino de los templos, ya que así me ahorraba varios kilómetros de i/v cada día cuando regresaba al mediodía a descansar.

El rey Pyinbya trasladó la capital a Bagan en el 874 y se convirtió en una gran ciudad.. En 1057, el rey Anawrahta conquistó la capital Mon de Thaton, y trasladó a Bagan a los monjes budistas y los artesanos, que transformaron Bagan en un centro religioso y cultural. .

En los siglos XII y XIII, Bagan se convirtió en un centro cosmopolita de estudios budistas, que atrajo a los monjes y estudiantes de lugares tan lejanos como la India, Sri Lanka, y de los reinos de Tailandia y Camboya.

En 1287, el reino sucumbió a los mongoles, liderados por Kublai Khan . Abandonada por el rey de Birmania y saqueada por los mongoles, la ciudad quedó destruida, pero su importancia como centro budista.continúa hoy en día.

Bagan es una ciudad del norte de Myanmar en la división de Mandalay, que se divide en una ciudad nueva, y el Old Bagan, la joya del patrimonio cultural birmano, creada al siglo XI por el rey Anawratha. Bagan era entonces la primera capital del imperio birmano.

La Unesco ha tratado de calificar la zona como Patrimonio Mundial, pero la junta militar era opuesta, y ellos fueron entonces los que llevaron pésimas restauraciones de los templos, sin preocuparse por conservar el estilo original.

Pero la zona, que mide varios kilómetros cuadrados, tiene todavía preciosos templos, que podrás visitar a pie, en tuc tuc, o alquilando una bicicleta.

No recuerdo pagar entrada a la zona, que es una zona campesina, hay pueblos relativamente cerca para conseguir comida y bebidas, si te encuentras muriendo de sed en medio de la nada, una particularidad es que los árboles llevan jarras de arcillo, con un vaso puesto encima, y agua dentro. La tomé en varias ocasiones, es agua de pozo que las mujeres cargan hasta ahí para los viajeros y cada uno se sirve. Nunca me enfermé pero creo que mejor se queda como solución de emergencia!

Si puedes madrugar un día y subir a uno de los templos que lo autorizan, no te pierdas una salida del sol sobre la pradera de Bagan.

Uno lo los lugares más fascinantes de Asia, la explanada de Bagan en Birmania, donde se concentran más de dos mil templos. Muy recomendable poder ver el atardecer o amanacer desde la parte alta de los templos más grandes. Una experiencia inolvidable!

Monasterio principal de Nyaung U

camino de Nyaung U a Old bagan, Bagan

El monasterio principal de Nyaung U es el monasterio más importante de la región de Bagan.

Se encuentra en el camino de Nyaung U a Old Bagan (zona de los templos).

Este monasterio aloja 70 monjes, de los cuales 60 son estudiantes que van a dedicar, en principio, su vida a ser monjes.Estudian entre 7 y 12 años, dependiente de las capacidades de cada uno.

En este monasterio hay un cocinero de 52 años que habla inglés. Tras muy diversos trabajos, mucho tabaco, alcohol y vida consumista (dentro de lo que permite Myanmar), decidió reconvertirse y pasar a ser monje.

En las paredes del comedor se pueden observar los nombres de las personas o familias que hay aportado dinero al monasterio, así como el importe donado.

También son interesantes las pinturas de las diferentes figuras de Buda.

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"Monte Popa"

Viajando por el espectacular y maravilloso país Myanmar ,a 50 kilómetros de la ciudad de Bagan en la parte centra de Myanmar, encontré este volcán inactivo llamado monte Popa en el cual en su cima se encuentra ubicado este un monasterio. conseguí realizar esta fotografía desde un mirador en el cual puede contemplar esta maravilla de paisaje.

Old Bagan

Old Bagan es la zona de la región de Bagan en la que se concentran casi todos los templos, la mayoría de ellos con origen en los siglos XI y XII.

Hace unos años el gobierno decidió mover a los habitantes de esta “ciudad monumento” a una nueva población creada más al sur llamada New Bagan.

Todos los caminos en Old Bagan son de tierra.Es una planicie sin montaña alguna. Eso permite saca fotos preciosas, sobre todo si el tiempo acompaña, donde se intercalan a diferentes distancias, algunos de los más de 4.000 templos que existen en esta zona.

Hay diversas formas de moverse por old Bagan. Los turistas birmanos lo hacen en autobuses, dentro de paquetes organizados; los turistas extranjeros con tours organizados se mueven en furgonetas, con guías locales; los viajeros que acuden por su cuenta se mueven en taxi, en coche de caballos o en bicicleta.

Existen al menos un hotel y 2 o 3 guesthouses u hostales dentro de Old Bagan.

Se pueden observar camiones repletos de gente que es transportada de New Bagan a Nyaung U o bien de Old Bagan a alguna de estas 2 poblaciones.

Los vendedores de souvenirs forman parte de Old Bagan. Pueden ser un poco pesados, pero poniendo una sonrisa todo puede acabar incluso siendo divertido.

Pagoda Bupaya

Esta pequeña pagoda dicen que data del año 162 después de Cristo. Se dice que Bupaya es la construcción más antigua de Bagan, mandada construir por Thamuddarit, fundador de Bagan.

Bupaya significa pagoda con forma de calabaza.

Resulta ser un mirador ideal con preciosas vistas al rió.

A pesar de ser una pagoda pequeña, es muy visitada por los birmanos que acuden a Bagan haciendo turismo.

Tuvo que ser reconstruida tras el terremoto de 1975.

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Mercado de Nyaung U - Bagan

El mercado de Nyaung U no es muy grande pero merece la pena verlo.

Es un mercado en el que se pueden encontrar frutas, verduras, especias, pescado seco, flores, carne, …

La gente es muy amigable y permite haccerles fotografías sin mucho problema. Casi todas las mujeres llevan la cara pintada de thanaka.

No hay prácticamente puestos de comida en este mercado.

Coche de caballos (horse car) para Old Bagan

Alquilar un coche de caballos es una opción muy barata si no se desea andar pedaleando por los caminos de Old Bagan (la zona de los templos de Bagan).

El precio es negociable, pero se puede llegar a conseguir alquilar el coche por 4.500 kyats (unos 4,5 dólares) para todo el día en marzo del 2009.

Es interesante saber que suelen ir cubiertos, pero se puede pedir que recojan el toldo, con lo que las vistas mejoran mucho y es conveniente siempre que el día no sea demasiado soleado.

Templo Dhammayangyi

El templo de Dhammayangyi es el templo más grande de todo Old Bagan.

Data del siglo XII y fue mandado construir por el Rey Narathu,

Su estructura es similar a la del Templo Ananda.

No se puede subir por la parte exterior de este templo, pero vale la pena observarlo, al menos desde fuera.Si existen unas escaleras interiores que permiten subir un poco para tener buenas vistas de lo que se puede ver desde este templo.

Es habitual encontrar chicos jugando a caneball a partir de las 17 h.

El atardecer es especialmente bonito en este templo, cuyas paredes de la cara oeste adquieren un color rojizo precioso.

Alquiler de bicicletas en Bagan

Es interesante recorrer un día Old Bagan con bicicletas alquiladas. Alquilar una bicicleta te permite moverte líbremente y por tu cuenta. Descubriendo rincones a los cuales les darás más valor que si te los hubiera enseñado un guía.

Se pueden alquilar bicicletas en muchos lugares, siendo los precios más baratos 1.000 kyats (1 $) por día y los más caros 5.000 kyats (5 $) por día.

Tan sólo hay que estar un poco atento para no pasar por un lugar en el que se pueda pinchar alguna rueda. Si esto ocurre, no es difícil encontrar quien lo arregle por 500 kyats (0,5 $)

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Nota: Estos precios son de marzo del 2009.

Templo Ananda en Bagan

Este templo lo visitamos en Bagan en Birmania o Myanmar, fue construido por Kyansittha en 1090, el templo se divide en forma de cruz y dos pasillos le recorren por dentro, este es la vista que ofrece uno de ellos

Taxi en Bagan

La opción más rápida y cómoda para recorrer Old Bagan (la zona de templos de Bagan) es alquilar un taxi para todo el día.

Probablemente existe un oligopolio en los servicios de Taxi en Bagan y los precios son muy estables y muy caros. Es casi imposible bajar de 30.000 kyats (unos 30 dólares) en marzo del 2009.

No recomiendo esta opción por lo elevado del precio.

La cantidad y calidad de la información que aportan los taxistas es un poco superior a la que pueden aportar los conductores de coches de caballos, pero no es como para tirar cohetes.

La única forma de conseguir cantidad y calidad de información es conseguir contratar uno de los guías que trabajan con los touroperadores

Templo Gawdawpalin – Bagan

La construcción de este templo, en pleno Old Bagan fue iniciada en el siglo XI por el rey Narapatisithu pero la acabó su hijo Htilominio.

Es uno de los templos más grandes de Old Bagan.

Este templo se construyó con el estilo más reciente. Cuenta con 4 puertas de entrada, siendo la del Este más grande que las otras. En cada puerta de entrada hay una figura de Buda.

En la entrada del templo hay una vendedora de souvenirs simpatiquísima que se llama Pyu Pyu. Déjate llevar por ella para que te pinte la cara con thanaka o te enseñe como prepara un purito birmano.Tiene longyis de calidad, aunque con ella te costarán medio o un dólar más que en el mercado

Paseo en barca en Bagan

El río que bordea Bagan es bastante bonito, como se puede apreciar desde distintos puntos de Bagan.

Hay una opción que es recorrer en barca motora un pequeño trayecto que transcurre entre el Jetty (puerto) de Nyaung U (principal localidad de Bagan) y la estupa XXX, dentro de Old Bagan.

El precio de alquiler de la barca suele estar alrededor de los 9.000 kyats (unos 9 dólares) en marzo del 2009, pero se debería poder bajar bastante teniendo en cuenta lo corto del trayecto.

Si el día tiene neblina no se podrá apreciar nada de Old Bagan (la zona de los templos), por lo que el paseo no aporta nada.

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