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NYAUNG U
( BAGAN )
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Bagan covers an area of 42 square km and
has more than 2,000 well-preserved pagodas and temples
dating from the 11th through 13th centuries. Bagan is one of
the most significant and popular tourist attractions in
Myanmar, and the area is dotted with thousands of pagodas,
many of them ancient. Bagan is one of the richest
archaeological sites in Asia, and it was the capital of the
first Myanmar Empire.
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Things to See
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Ananda Pagoda
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Ananda Pagoda is one of the finest,
largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan
temples after it was fully restored from the 1975
earthquake. Built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this
pagoda contains four large wooden Buddha figures, which two
of them appear to change their expression the closer you
stand to the figure.
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Dhammayangyi
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The Dhammayangyi was built in the 12th
century by King Kalagya Min and resembles a pyramid from the
side. Impressive mortar-less brickwork - the king ordered
that the bricks fit together so tightly as not to admit even
a pin to pass between them. Otherwise (it is said) he cut
off the workers' hands.
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Kyan-sit-thar Umin
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This cave temple was built in the 11th
century, into a cliff face, with frescoes. It served as a
monastery and features a few small rooms, which were home to
the monks.
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 Shwezigone
Pagoda
Started by Anawratha, the
Shwezigone Pagoda was completed by the reign of Kyanzittha
(1084-1113). The stupa's graceful bell shape became the prototype
for Myanmar's pagodas. It was said that the Shwezigone was built to
enshrine one of the four replicas of the Buddha tooth from Kandy,
Sri Lanka, and to mark the northern edge of the city. The other
three tooth replicas went to three other stupas marking the east,
south and west of the city.
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Upali Thein
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Upali Thein is one of the few Ordination
Halls still standing and is named after a well-known monk
named Upali. Inside Upali Thein are beautifully painted
frescos from the late 17th century.
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Mingala-Zedi
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This Blessing Stupa, built in 1277 by
Narathihapati, has been known for its fine proportions and
the many beautiful glazed jataka tiles around its terraces.
It is one of the most westerly pagodas.
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Shwe Sandaw Paya
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Built by King Anawratha in 1057, the
zedi bell rises from two octagonal bases, which cap the five
square terraces. This was the first monument in Bagan to
feature stairways leading up from the bottom. The hti
(umbrella), which was toppled by the earthquake, still lies
on the far side of the paya compound.
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