Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient city and one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city served as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. Most of the historical sites have been restored by UNESCO. Bagan is hot for most of the year, so I would plan my next visit between November and February to enjoy a hot air balloon ride above the sea of pagodas, which is only available during that time.
Trip Highlights
I hired a tour guide with a car from Mandalay to drive me around both cities. Bagan is known for its sea of pagodas, with numerous must-see temples: Dhammayangyi Temple, Sulamani Guphaya Temple, Sein Nyet Pagoda, Shwezigon Pagoda, Ananda Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple, Shwegugyi Temple, Gawdawpalin Temple, and many more. Another must-do experience is watching the sunrise and sunset at two different locations.
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