About Bagan

Bagan, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 6, 2019, stands as one of the world's most remarkable archaeological wonders and Myanmar's most iconic destination. This ancient city, situated on a dramatic bend of the Irrawaddy River in Upper Burma, served as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom from the 9th to 13th centuries—Myanmar's first unified kingdom that shaped the cultural and religious identity of the nation. During its golden age between the 11th and 13th centuries, Bagan witnessed an unprecedented building boom as devout monarchs and wealthy citizens constructed over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries across the plains. Today, approximately 2,200 temples and pagodas survive in various states of preservation, with 3,595 monuments officially recorded, creating a breathtaking landscape of ancient stupas, temples adorned with murals, sculptures, and inscriptions that document centuries of Buddhist devotion and architectural evolution.

The Bagan Archaeological Zone spans 104 square kilometers, offering visitors an extraordinary journey through medieval Southeast Asian civilization. The magnificent Ananda Temple, built in 1105, showcases Mon architectural perfection with its gilded sikhara and four standing Buddha images. The Shwezigon Pagoda, completed in 1102, established the prototype for all Burmese stupas with its circular gold leaf-gilded stupa. The massive Dhammayangyi Temple, Bagan's largest, impresses with its mysterious sealed inner corridors and fortress-like architecture. Thatbyinnyu Temple, standing 61 meters tall, remains Bagan's tallest structure and a masterpiece of late Bagan architecture. Sunrise hot air balloon rides provide ethereal views of temple spires emerging from morning mist, while Irrawaddy River cruises offer perspectives on this sacred landscape that has inspired pilgrims and travelers for over a millennium.