Bagan : Archeological Zone (The Land of Pagodas)

Sir James Scott, in his book, (THE BURMAN 1882) had said of Bagan, that Bagan is in many respects the most remarkable religious City of the world. The whole space is thickly studded with Pagodas of all sizes and shapes, and the very ground is so thickly covered with crumbling remnants of all vanished shrines, that according to popular saying you cannot move foot or hand without touching a sacred thing.

Bagan was founded in 849 AD and became the capital of first unified Kingdom and the first multinational Union of Myanmar in 1044 AD. It is located in the east bank of the famous Ayeyarwady River with the span of 42 square kilometers where there are over 5,000 mysterious and magnificent stupas and hollow pagodas that are making Bagan the wonders of the world. The temples in Bagan are infinitely fascinating, each with its own story and legend.

Places of interest in Bagan are, Ananda Temple, the most beautiful and the finest in art. Thabinnyu, the tallest Temple. Dhamayangyi, the biggest building. Shwezigon Pagoda, the first prototype of Myanmar Pagoda. Mahabodhi, resemble to Indian temple. HtiloMinlo, the finest plaster carvings on inside and outside walls. Dhamayazaka, the pentagonal shape. Sarabha Gate, the main entrance into the Palace.

Shwegugyi, in front of the excavated Palace site. Ananda Okkyaung, with fine mural paintings of late Bagan period. Kyansittha Umin (cave), with wall paintings of scenes of Buddhist life. Wetkyi Inn Gubyaukkyi, with wall paintings. Pitaka Taik, the library of Buddhist teachings in the past. Nathlyung Kyung, with spiritual Nat inside. Shwesandaw Pagoda with steep stairs to the top. Alopyae temple, with paintings on inside wall. Manuha temple, with huge bowl at the entrance. Myazedi and Myinkaba Gubyaukkyi, with big stone scripts in four languages from 2000 years ago and wall paintings, preserved by UNESCO. Thandawgya Pagoda, Mingalar Zedi with views over Bagan. Gawdawpalin is on the riverbank. Buphaya, with the view of sunset over the river Ayarwaddy. Nyaung Oo Market, Museum and traditional handicraft shops are to visit.

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Mt.Popa

32 miles from Bagan by road is a place for the peoples, who love Spiritual nats. The main mountain is known as the extinct volcano and is about 5000ft above sea level. But Taungklat is a small rocky mountain shoots up like a tree trunk of 2500 ft high. Its like an oasis year round while the Bagan plain is hot like desert. One of the summer Resorts in central Myanmar.