X

Get FREE Email Updates

Sign Up

Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Guides
  • Journals
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Links
  • Interviews
  • About

above the clouds

International Travel and Lifestyle Blog


Visiting Bagan, Myanmar

July 15, 2019 by Dave21 Comments

Bagan is the land of ancient temples – these stone spires dot the dusty landscape of what is called the Bagan Plains. We are visiting in the middle of winter, yet the temperatures are very warm during the day and pleasant at night; apparently rain has not fallen here for weeks. Coming from Inle Lake, some 6 hours away by bus we were startled by the dramatic difference in landscape. Inle Lake has plenty of water – in fact villages are built above water at the edges of the lake – we saw numerous rice fields and the vegetation was noticeably green and thriving. But Bagan is dry this time of year – without all the lakes or waterways like at Inle Lake. What look to be thorn trees dot the dusty flat landscape; the terrain reminds me of parts of Eastern Africa.

Visitors to Bagan can stay in a number of areas in the region including New Bagan and the community spread out to the northeast of Old Bagan along Anawrahta Road. Regardless of where you book your hotel in either areas, you won’t be to far from all the comforts that a visitor needs (restaurants, transportation, tour operators etc).

In a new twist for me – I spotted electric bikes for rent right next to our guesthouse (Shwe Na Di Guest House) – and because it was already mid morning we were able to bargain the price down to $3 for an all day bike rental. Assured they would not run out of charge (same size as a regular scooter) we soon took off exploring dusty roads and small pagodas (of which there are more then 2000 still standing in the region – down from about 10,000 in the 1100’s).

One is not allowed to climb up the outside of the pagodas (other then a very few exceptions) but we found one in the middle of nowhere with narrow steep steps leading up to the second floor. We made our way up for picturesque 360 degree views. We wanted to come back here for sunrise – combined with hundreds of hot air balloons, the visual in the early am is ethereal. The alarm clock went off but sleep overtook the ringing annoyance and we never made it for sunrise.

And speaking of hot air balloons, a ride in one usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour and if you have the budget for it, will probably be the most expensive activity you participate in while visiting Myanmar. During our visit rides were running $350 to $450 per person – we noticed a number of the balloon companies we researched are headquartered overseas. As tourism develops hopefully more will be owned by Myanmar companies.

However we did experience a gorgeous sunrise from a hill in the middle of the Bagan Plains.

A must visit is the Ananda Temple – first constructed in the year 1105. This is a very popular site accessed via a dirt road. Four impressive Buddhas are located inside the temple.

Bupaya Pagoda next to the banks of the Irrawaddy River looks new – and it is – but in actuality until fairly recently (1975) it was one of the oldest structures in the area having been built around the year 850. A major earthquake destroyed this in 1975. Unfortunately another major earthquake in 2016 destroyed 400 temples in the region.

And for beautiful views of the Irrawaddy River come to the King Sithu Restaurant near the city of Bagan – with optimal time to visit in the early evening just before the sun sets over the river.

Mt. Popa is a temple located on the top of a prominent mountain which while not tall, as you approach it you see that it towers over the nearby landscape and local villages. This is a half day trip from Bagan and numerous Bagan based tour operators offer this side excursion as part of a shared mini van ride.

The temple is reached via a long set of 777 steps – I made it to the top in about 8 minutes – running most of the way. One needs to remove their shoes near the bottom – on the way up one passes numerous people with brooms in hand continuously sweeping the steps. Several levels are located at the top as are waiting monkeys ready to strip any sort of food item from your hand. Look at them in the eyes and they will think you want to give them food and they may jump on you.

A friend recently visited San Francisco and told me about her time eating at the Burma Superstar Restaurant. So imagine my surprise when I spotted a marble plaque etched with “Burma Superstar Restaurant, San Francisco, 2012”. The world is a small one sometimes.

The views from the top are nice – but the views from the village across from the temple are even more impressive.

Bagan

View from small pagoda of the Bagan Plains
Climbing up through a small pagoda to the second level
The incredible Ananda Temple
Cattle crossing a dirt road

Various forms of transportation on dirt roads in the Bagan Plains
Herding cattle after sunset
Astute visitors will spot this sign among the chaos of the roads
The Bupaya Pagoda along the banks of the Irrawaddy River

Burmese food
Impressive temple in the Bagan Plains
The King Sithu Restaurant overlooking the Irrawaddy River
Hanging puppets decorate parts of the sides of roads

Mt. Popa

Mt Popa
Farmer overseeing plowing by hand with a wooden plow
This sunflower would make the perfect background for a selfie
The temple on the top of Mt. Popa

Lots of monkeys at Mt. Popa!
View of Mt. Popa from a distance
Temple grounds on top of Mt. Popa
Young monk at village near Mt. Popa

Related posts:

Wine Tasting in Myanmar Enjoying a Diversity of Experiences in Yangon, Myanmar Glimpses of Inle Lake, A must visit when in Myanmar Why Myanmar, Why Now? Visiting Iguazu Falls

Filed Under: Asia · Tagged: Africa, Art, Bicycle, Burma, Bus Travel, Fashion, Food and Wine, Mountain Climbing, Restaurants, San Francisco, Village

Comments

  1. Simon says

    July 15, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Lovely place to visit….the captures are amazing.
    Myanmar never fails to stun.

  2. Chin Liang Teh says

    July 16, 2019 at 8:42 am

    Bagan is one of my dream destinations to visit in Myanmar! This article has certainly injected me with new levels of enthusiasm for this ancient city!

  3. Dave says

    July 16, 2019 at 9:31 am

    Simon – thanks – can’t wait to go back 🙂

  4. Dave says

    July 16, 2019 at 9:32 am

    Chin – I hope you get a chance to visit – if I remember correctly you live in Penang? Should be an easy flight for you 🙂

  5. Giselle says

    July 16, 2019 at 5:29 pm

    Nice read about Bagan Dave, I was there last year, fell in love with it, I ended up staying two extra days just to visit more temples!

  6. Markus says

    July 16, 2019 at 7:33 pm

    Have been planning to visit Myanmar since a couple of months now. Loved reading it throughout.

  7. Dave says

    July 16, 2019 at 10:10 pm

    Thanks Giselle – with so many temples there one could spend weeks exploring!

  8. Dave says

    July 16, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    Markus – hope you get the opportunity to visit soon 🙂

  9. Cijo Abraham Mani says

    July 18, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Wonderful place. Added Myanmar to my bucket list.

  10. Tom Bentley says

    July 25, 2019 at 12:29 am

    Dave, Bagan is temple mania! I was astounded by the number, variety and styles (and ages) of the temples. It’s almost hallucinatory. I didn’t make it up to Mt. Popa though—maybe next time.

  11. Dave says

    July 26, 2019 at 4:31 am

    Tom – yea, could spend years there and still not visit them all!

  12. Rudy Van Blaten says

    July 27, 2019 at 1:10 pm

    We ended up staying near old bagan last year – I’m already plotting my return trip to Myanamar.

  13. Ashley Tamers says

    July 27, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    Nice read about Bagan Dave, I was there last year, fell in love with it, I ended up staying two extra days just to visit more temples.

  14. Dave says

    July 27, 2019 at 11:22 pm

    🙂

  15. macky lasmu says

    July 29, 2019 at 9:32 pm

    This place looks so beautiful and is on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing.

  16. John Flemming says

    August 7, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    Nice post. I’m so ready for a change of pace from flat Florida.

  17. spankynet1 says

    August 8, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    The images are beautiful and it seems that the places you visited don’t look overrun by tourists.On our last visit to Thailand most of the temples were jam packed with tourists and it made it a bit difficult to relax and enjoy then. Hmm I’d not be too keen on having a monkey jump on me for food so I’d keep my eyes wide shut :). Burma is not our list but you have made me a bit curious about it.

  18. Kimberly K Ballman says

    September 26, 2019 at 9:48 am

    Hi, I’m considering a solo trip here and have been in love with temple ruins since visiting Cambodia. How safe is it to travel as a female? Any thoughts or advice on this? I’m looking to do this in November, would it be a good time to go? Is a few days in Bagan long enough? Inle Lake looks interesting too. It all looks amazing!

  19. Dave says

    September 30, 2019 at 9:51 pm

    Kimberly – it is extremely safe to visit these parts of Myanmar. My good friend has been numerous times on her own. At least a few days in Bagan is needed and if you make the trip, definitely spend at least a few days in Inle, perhaps a week is better 🙂

  20. Dave says

    September 30, 2019 at 9:51 pm

    John – yes Myanmar will certainly give you a chance of pace from Florida!

  21. Dave says

    September 30, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    Spanky – yes, parts of Bangkok especially can be so crowded – in particular at the more popular temples. At least in Bangkok there are hundreds of amazing smaller temples tourists have not yet discovered!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want an avatar to show with your comments? Get a free Gravatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow @DaveDTC

Get FREE Email Updates  I

Categories

Member, Professional Organizations

International Travel Writers Alliance
Travel Massive

Recent Comments

  • Dave on Wicked Clean Fun At Noboribetsu’s “Hell”
  • Katie on Wicked Clean Fun At Noboribetsu’s “Hell”
  • Michael & Gina, NYC on Irish and New in Vancouver
  • Michael Zullo on Wicked Clean Fun At Noboribetsu’s “Hell”
  • Dave on The Noisiest Place I’ve Ever Stayed At

Latest Posts

  • The South Beach Seafood Festival Celebrates their …
  • Wicked Clean Fun At Noboribetsu’s “Hel…
  • She Walks the Earth – Angela Marie Maxwell, …
  • Irish and New in Vancouver
  • Genesee Store, Plumas County California – Au…

Explore

  • Above the Clouds
  • Guides
  • Highlight of the Month
  • Interviews
  • Journals
  • Press Releases
  • Videos

Prepare

  • Book Reviews
  • Pack List
  • Quiz: Geography
  • Quiz: Travel
  • Tour Booking
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Products

Share

  • Contribute
  • Forums
  • Links
  • Photos

About

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Contributors
  • Email Dave
  • Media Coverage
  • Media Kit
Hi I'm Dave. After a life changing trip in 1996, I began this site as a creative outlet to educate, inspire and share travel experiences. Read more...
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Return to top of page
Copyright © 1996–2022 Dave's Travel Corner · All Rights Reserved · Log in

7ads6x98y