In this blog post, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan a visit to Bagan including how to reach Bagan, which temples to visit, where to stay in Bagan and even how to explore the forest. Also, find some interesting tips on a classic sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy river.

History of Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Known to be one of the greatest kingdoms from the 9th to the 13th century, the region had named as its capital. Over those years, 4,446 temples were built by the emperors on the plains of the Irrawaddy. Today, about 3,126 temples have survived with nature and wars having destroyed the others.

The kingdom of Bagan was predominantly Buddhist with influences of Hinduism, which is apparent in the architecture of most Pagodas. Today, Bagan is famous for these remnants of great architecture and how beautifully nature has reclaimed most of it, making Bagan worth visiting on a trip to Myanmar.

Tip: The best season to travel to Bagan is between October and February, although afternoons can be quite hot. Evenings are cold during that time. It is best to avoid the hot and wet summer during the other months.

Which temples to visit in Bagan?

Of the many temples, there are some that stand out for the architecture, the history and the accessibility. Here is a list of some temples to visit in Bagan:

1. Sulamani Temple:
It is one of the most popular temples in Bagan and is located in the Minnanthu village. It is a red brick temple and was a monastery in its time. The temple is close to a man-made mound which is the best place for sunrise and sunset in Bagan (considering you cant climb up any temple in Bagan now).

Tip: Buy a Bagan Archaeological Zone ticket for MMK 25,000 (INR 1,200 or USD 17) to enter the city of Bagan. There is no separate ticket for the temples.

2. Ananda Temple:
Most people in Bagan start their morning with a visit to the Ananda temple, a pristine white complex with a golden pagoda at the top. Popularly known as “Westminister Abbey of Burma”, it is a architecturally similar to Indian temples. Infact, the Indian Government place an active role in its maintainance. Mornings are pleasant with resounding prayers of the monks.

3. Dhammayangi Temple:
This is the largest temple in Bagan. Althogh this temple is closed for entry, the views from the outside are enough to stun you. Most hot air balloons fly over the Dhammayangi temple early in the mornings and this makes for a great picture from the nearby fields.

4. Thatbyinnyu Phaya:
It is very close to the Ananda temple and is very photogenic. There is a pathway leading upto it from the main road, which further connects to the Bagan Archaeological Museum. You can also visit the Mahazedi Pagoda which is right behind it.

5. Other Temples to visit
Shwesandaw Pagoda
Dhammayazika Pagoda
Bupaya Pagoda

Can you climb any temple in Bagan?

The temples in Bagan were earlier open for visitors to climb, but now all temples are closed to protect the temples from damage. This has been enforced since Bagan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best spots for sunset in Bagan

There are three places in Bagan which are best for sunset:
1. Sulamani Mound (free)
2. Nyaung Lat Phet Mound (free)
3. Nan Myint Watch Tower (entry fee: MMK 8,000 per person)

These mounds or sunset hills were created since no tourists are allowed to climb the temples anymore.

Sunset Cruise on the Irrawaddy River

If you’re spending two nights in Bagan, spend one evening at a Sunset Hill and another here on the banks of the Irrawaddy river. Most fishermen have their boats out on the river for small sunset cruises. The sunset cruise includes a 30 minute ride from the shore and sometimes, a serving of tea and traditional Burmese snacks as well. 

Tip: A sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy river costs MMK 15,000 (USD 10). But, if you have booked any bus journey on MyanmarBusTicket (our tried-and-tested recommendation to book bus/train to Bagan), then the sunset cruise is FREE.

Visit the Bagan Archaeological Museum

The Bagan Museum is a great place to spend two hours in the city. There are many interesting photos, scale models and historical tales which have been curated inside a beautiful building, built in a similar design as the pagodas. There is a MMK 5,000 (USD 4 or INR 250) fee to enter the Museum.

Tip: Bagan is uncomfortably hot in the afternoons. The best way to escape the heat is to visit this air-conditioned museum after lunch.

How to explore Bagan while visiting the temples

There are four easy ways to explore the temples in Bagan:

1. e-Bike (best option):
e-Bikes are available in nearly every hotel, hostel and homestay in Bagan. There are many stores on the street as well, renting e-bikes. Rent a two-seat e-Bike at a cost of MMK 8,000 per day, whereas the cost of e-Bike (single seat) is MMK 5,000. The range is usually 35 kms per charge which is sufficient for visiting the temples and the cafés. e-Bike Rental includes a free and immediate replacement if you run out of charge anytime. There are bicycles too, but we wouldn’t recommend.

2. Tuk-tuk:
For MMK 35,000 (USD 24 or INR 1,700) you can rent a tuktuk for the day with a driver, at your hotel/hostel. Its is more comfortable in the sunny mornings and afternoons.

3. Private Taxi:
A more expensive option is to take a private taxi from the street or the hotel to visit the temples in Bagan (if you need air-conditioning).

4. Bus:
Joining a group bus tour is another cheap way of sightseeing in Bagan. Although there is air-conditioning, these tours visit specific temples only and you will share the experience with over 20 people.

Tip: Join a three hour guided e-Bike tour to explore the temples in the morning. This way, you will visit the prime temples with a guide at your own pace. Guide charges MMK 10,000 per person (you have to bring your own rental e-Bike).

Where to eat in Bagan

Bagan is filled with many quaint cafés and restaurants. Although most of them are in New Bagan and Old Bagan, it is far easier to rest at one of the cafes in the Minnanthu village inside the forest during mid-day. We had lunch at the Minnanthu Kitchen, where the food was tasty and all tables had a bed to rest on – probably, the best way to escape the heat in the noon.

Here are a few vegan cafés worth checking out in Bagan:

1. The Moon Café (Old Bagan)
2. Khaing Shwe Wha (Old Bagan)
3. The Moon 2 (New Bagan) – best for spendinf a few hours playing board games and eating

Most dishes are reasonably priced. Try the refreshing Orange and Avocado Juices in Bagan.

Tip: Carry a reusable waterbottle. Purified water can be filled at most of the big Temples. There are water-pots on the streets as well. Restaurants charge for bottled water.

How to travel to Bagan

Getting to Bagan involves many options:

Air: There are many daily flights from most cities in Myanmar, to Nyaung-U Airport in Bagan. The flight prices are high considering the demand is mostly from foreigners.

Bus: The most convenient way to go from Yangon to Bagan or Mandalay to Bagan is by an overnight sleeper bus (cost is less than USD 15 or INR 1,000). You can also take a bus from Inle to Bagan or even do the Ngapali-Bagan route for about the same price.

Train: This is the cheapest way of travelling in and out of Bagan. We took the overnight train from Mandalay to Bagan and it was crazy! Buy only first class tickets (check for an AC coach).

Cruise: The most luxurious option is to do a one day cruise on the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay to Bagan. It includes food and drinks and takes a full day to reach the pier at Bagan. You can also consider taking the cruise from Bagan to Mandalay.

Book your bus and train tickets here

What to wear in Bagan

Bagan is a city filled with temples, so it is naturally more conservative than other Burmese cities, so it is good to respect the culture there by avoiding Buddha prints, sleeveless tops, shorts and short skirts. It is best to wear full-sleeved cotton clothing to be comfortable in the heat. Evenings can be cold.

Tip: Buy a traditional Burmese shirt and long pants or Lungyi at the stores outside the big temples. Reasonable bargain price: MMK 8,000 for the set. Also, buy a traditional Bamboo umbrella to avoid the sun.

Where to stay in Bagan

Bagan is made of three localities: Old Bagan, New Bagan and Nyaung-U. 

Old Bagan is home to a variety of luxury hotels and stays. There are a few nice hostels as well. It is also closest to the large temples.

New Bagan is an upcoming neighbourhood and has many hotels, budget-friendly hostels and funky cafés. It is a little farther from the temples, but not inconvenient.

Nyaung-U is the backpackers’ neighbourhood in Bagan. It is close to the Bagan Airport and the Bagan Railway station too. Its easy to find cheap group tours here.

Tip: We stayed at this amazing little place called Ever New Guest House on the east side of Nyaung-U. With breakfast, wifi and air-con, a room costs only MMK 24,000 (USD 16 or INR 1,100) a night. We used the in-house e-Bikes to visit the temples in Bagan.

See all accommodations here 

How many days to spend in Bagan

Spend atleast two nights to experience Bagan in different ways. We spent the first day visiting three-four temples and doing the free sunset cruise. The next day, we started early with a visit to the sunrise rise hill and a few more temples. We had lunch at some of the Cafés in Minnanthu Village and in Old Bagan, followed by sunset at the Sulamani Sunset Hill and dinner at The Moon 2 in New Bagan.

Where to go from Bagan

Bagan is very close to Mandalay and only takes a few hours by road. But thats not all, you can even visit Asia’s third best beach here! All of Myanmar is very well connected and the easy visa process makes it a delight to explore too.

So, when are you traveling to Myanmar?

In this blog post, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan a visit to Mandalay including how to reach Mandalay, visiting some of the best sights in the city and doing a day trip to Mingun. Also, find details on where to stay and what to eat in Mandalay.

Visit Mandalay Hill and the Su Taung Pyae Pagoda

The best viewpoint of Mandalay is on top of the Mandalay Hill which is on the north side of the city. There is a Pagoda at the top of the Hill and many locals offer their worship to Buddha everyday. The walls, arches and pillars of the temple are beautifully decorated with coloured glass chips and mirrors.

There is a small entrance fee of MMK 1,000 (USD 1 or INR 50). 

Tip: Go here in the morning to avoid the crowds and afternoon haze, and to get a good view of the city.

Admire the legendary Shwenandaw Monastery

Completely built in wood in the 1800s, the building was constructed as a royal house of the King of Mandalay and was used as a meditation hall. It used to be covered in gold and glass mosaic work, but now only the original teak carvings of Buddhism have remained. It is a must-visit in Mandalay!

Tip: Buy a Mandalay Zone ticket for MMK 10,000 (INR 470 or USD 7) to get free entry to this and three other sites in the city.

Read the largest book in the world at Kuthodaw Pagoda

The Kuthodaw Pagoda was built in Mandalay in the 1800s as a school. There are 729 stupas containing marble slabs which are the pages to the largest book in the world. Expect to spend an hour here wandering between the rows of stupas. 

Meditate in peace at the Atumashi Monastery

This monastery is right behind the Shwenandaw Monastery, although it is much larger and has a huge central hall meant for community gatherings. Its white and gold exterior makes it a simple, yet grand monument in Mandalay. Expect to spend an hour hear before drinking fresh coconut water at the snack stalls on the street.

Tip: The entry to the Kuthodaw Pagoda and the Atumashi Monastery is covered in the Mandalay Zone Fee.

Get lost in the Mandalay Royal Palace

Surrounded by a moat, the Royal Palace is the largest monument in Mandalay. The design is traditional Indo-Chinese with many royal buildings surrounding the main palace halls. The Palace is 1 km away from the main gate at the moat, where you can park your bike. 

Don’t forget to climb up the watch tower at sunset time!

Ride a scooter in Mandalay

The most convenient way of seeing Mandalay is to get a rental scooter. This way, its possible to visit Mandalay Hill, the Palace, the monastery and Pagodas on the same day. The roads in Mandalay are well laid and easy to ride on. The bike is very useful to visit Mingun, the town across the Irrawaddy river, from Mandalay.

Tip: Book your scooter with a reliable agency. We used TT Bike Rentals owned by a group of fun, young friends who make sure that every bike is well-maintained and insured. Rent a TVS Wego for MMK 15,000 (USD 10) a day with helmets for two. Fuel is cheap.

Do a day trip to the enchanting Mingun region

There are two ways to get to Mingun: road (1.5 hour) or ferry (1 hour). We chose to ride our rental bike along the rustic village roads between Mandalay and Mingun.

In Mingun, pay MMK 10,000 (USD 7 or INR 470) as Zone Fees to enter four pagodas. These are all equally interesting, starting with the strange looking Mingun Pagoda, a flat, square temple built in red sandstone. It is incomplete yet absolutely huge.

Tip: Carry an umbrella or a hat to avoid the strong sun

There are two other major pagodas in Mingun and each of them have a different design or importance. 

The Big Bell pagoda houses the world’s second largest bell inside a white-and-red shrine (the largest bell being in Moscow, Russia). The temple and the neighbouring monastery can be explored in one hour, before breaking for lunch and coconut water.

The best monument in Mandalay is the Hsinbyume Pagoda, that is modelled after Mount Meru, the sacred mountain in Buddhism. The pagoda is stunning in white, especially when it is sunny in Mandalay. There are seven layers designed like waves and you can take the stairway to the top tier.

Tip: Shoot a photo of this Instagram-famous temple from the south side to avoid the crowd There is free parking and some small cafes for lunch/snacks.

Other monuments in Mingun are also on the same road. One of them is a pagoda with its white stairs leading down to the Irrawaddy river. These are more off-beat than the main temples of Mingun.

Feasting on traditional cuisine of Mandalay

A visit to Mandalay is not complete without eating at Mingalabar, the most authentic Burmese restaurant in the city! Serving many vegetarian dishes, the restaurant is frequented by foreigners and locals alike. A full meal costs only MMK 5,000 (aroung INR 250 or USD 4) for two! Lentils, many curries, salads, cashew and peanuts, chutneys and soup are served with rice.

Don’t miss the Sunset at U-Bein Bridge

While passing on the Amarapura-Mandalay road, stop at U-Bein Bridge for sunset. Its the longest foot bridge in the world! Take a leisure walk just as the sun comes down and sit on the benches while hearing the locals fish, sing or even cook snacks in front of you.

Tip: Mandalay is a big city, and quite modern. It is a warmer than Bagan and can tire you out if you don’t hydrate well. Also, dressing styles are conservative at the pagodas and monasteries, so it is good to respect the culture there. Avoid travlling to Mandalay in Summer.

How to travel to Mandalay

Getting to Mandalay has many options:

Air: There are many daily flights from most cities in Myanmar, but very few international flights (route through Yangon instead).

Bus: The most convenient way to go from Yangon to Mandalay is by an overnight sleeper bus (cost is less than USD 15 or INR 1,000). You can also take a bus from Inle to Mandalay or even do the Mandalay-Bagan route for about the same price.

Train: This is the cheapest way of travelling in and out of Mandalay. We took the overnight train from Mandalay to Bagan and it was crazy!

Book your bus and train tickets here

Where to stay in Mandalay

Staying near the Royal Palace is the best part of Mandalay. It’s got many hostels and hotels, and the Railway station is also very close. You can pick up a scooter from TT Bike Rentals in the neighbourhood.

Tip: We stayed at this amazing little place called Kaung Hostel. It offers provate dorms to couples or friends who want privacy as much as a cheap stay! With breakfast, wifi and air-con, it costs only USD 7 (or INR 500) a night.

See all accommodations here 

Mandalay is one of our favourite places in Myanmar – why? Its probably how those two days in the city came together. We spent a whole day in Mandalay and a good part of the second day in Mingun, roadtripping on a scooter in a land of simplicity.

If you are planning to go to Myanmar, then make sure to add Mandalay to your list!