Bagan
★ 4.7🇲🇲 Mandalay RegionSuggested visit 3-4 daysBest season The cool season from November to February, avoiding the heat of March to May and the rains of June to October
Buddhist heritageWorld HeritageAncient capitalHot-air balloons
More than two thousand pagodas rising like a forest from the Irrawaddy plain, Southeast Asia's most magnificent ancient capital.
Overview
The ancient city of Bagan spreads across thousands of pagodas, and drifting over them by hot-air balloon at dawn is an unforgettable experience.
History
Bagan was the capital of the first unified Burmese kingdom, the Pagan dynasty, which ruled from 849 to 1297. At its height between the 11th and 13th centuries more than 10,000 temples and stupas were built, forming the densest concentration of religious architecture in the Buddhist world. The Mongol invasion led by Kublai Khan in 1287 shattered the kingdom, its people scattered and the city declined. More than 2,000 temples and pagodas survive in varying states of preservation, and the site became a World Heritage Site in 2019.
Highlights
- •Ballooning over a forest of pagodas at sunrise
- •The fine woodcarving and gilded Buddha of Ananda Temple
- •Exploring hidden temples by e-bike
- •A thousand years of survival in vast brick monasteries
- •Golden light over the Irrawaddy plain from a high terrace at sunset
Practical tips
- •Sunrise and sunset are the finest hours
- •Book balloon flights about three months ahead
Practical information
- Best time
- November to February
- Tickets
- Archaeological zone pass about USD 25, valid five days
- Opening hours
- Open all day; sunrise and sunset are the best moments
- Local food
- Burmese curry, tea leaf salad and noodles
- Getting around
- Mandalay is the transport hub, and U Bein Bridge is best seen by boat at sunset
- Visa
- A visa or e-visa is required. Check border area and safety advisories before travelling.
Traveller reviews
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