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Bagan is an ancient city located in central Myanmar that was once the heart of the thriving Pagan Empire (the first Kingdom of Burma) for 230 years.
Of the 10,000 monuments that once stood in the vast 104km² Bagan Archaeological Zone, over 2,000 miraculously remain here, making it the largest collection of Buddhist temples and pagodas in the world and gaining it the appropriate nickname “the sea of temples”.
It would be truly unthinkable to plan a journey to Myanmar and not include a stop at the sprawling ancient city that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is as iconic to Myanmar as Angkor Wat is to Cambodia and exploring the temples and stupas here remains one of my most memorable and magical travel experiences to date. It really is an experience not to miss while travelling Myanmar.
In this guide I’ve provided all essential information you need to know before planning your trip as well as 6 top tips, 15 of the best sights to see and all my favourite photos from my visit. Prepare yourself for a few mornings of e-scooter adventures, serene sunrise missions, historic temple chasing and hot air balloon rides in somewhere completely surreal!
- Country: Myanmar
- Population: 150,000 – 200,000 (Old Bagan, New Bagan & Nyuang U combined)
- Language: Burmese
- Currency: Myanmar kyat (MMK). £1/$1 = 2500/2100 INR
- Visa information: Travel to Myanmar is currently suspended due to ongoing civil conflict in some states. For more information read this.
- SIM cards: SIM cards are available in Myanmar and are recommended for ease of travel, although 3G and 4G services across the country are generally quite poor. The best providers are Telenor and Ooredoo. Finding a SIM card is as easy as looking for stores and stalls displaying their logos on the street or simply getting one at the airport on arrival, albeit for a higher price.
Where is Bagan
Bagan is located on the Irrawaddy River by the towns of Nyuang-U and Old Bagan in the centre of Myanmar, about a 4 hour drive south of Mandalay.
Check out the location on the interactive map below
Getting to Bagan
By far the most efficient way to get around Myanmar is by bus, and getting to Bagan is no different.
- Bus/minivan
The most popular way to get around Myanmar is by minivan or ‘VIP bus’. A bus from Mandalay to Nyuang U will take around 4 hours or about 9 hours from Yangon. There are plenty of other routes available too, like from Inle Lake or Naypyidaw, which you can book here on 12Go. They are extremely affordable and are a comfortable way to travel the country.
- Fly
It is also possible to fly from Yangon to Nyuang U with Burmese Airlines, although this is by far the more expensive option. Plane tickets cost between $90 – $180 for the two hour journey, for which there are daily flights. Check Skyscanner for flight details.
Where to stay
You’ve got three choices or where to stay near Bagan: Nyuang-U, Old Bagan and New Bagan.
Nyuang U is the most convenient and popular town to stay in and is just a short drive from the temples. This is where the bus station and airport are located and it is preferred among backpackers due to its cheap dining and accommodation options.
New Bagan is (as the name suggests) a relatively new settlement in the area and is well equipped with all the resources you need, despite being further from the ancient city and having much less character than Nyuang U.
Old Bagan is the most expensive of the three areas to stay but it is the closest to the temples. For higher end hotels, this is the one for you.
Use Booking.com or Hostelworld to find somewhere you like.
Getting around Bagan
There are a few ways to get around the ancient city of Bagan.
- E-bike
The best and most adventurous way to explore Bagan is by renting an e-bike. They’re just like a moped, except nice and quiet!
Riding e-bike is time efficient and gives you the freedom to roam wherever you want (within reason, obviously) whenever you want. The price for the day is about 8,000 kyat ($4) and obviously it does not require filling up with petrol, so it’s a pretty cheap way to travel!
- Bicycle
If you have lots of time and fancy some exercise, bicycles can also be used to explore Bagan. The terrain is pretty flat so difficulty-wise it would be easy, however depending on which season you visit in it may be an extremely hot and tiring day.
A bike for the day costs just 2,000 kyat ($1) and is the cheapest mode of transport by far.
- Tour
If you don’t have much time to spare but want to see the highlights of Bagan in one day, consider booking a group tour online.
Exploring with a local guide on a small group experience is a great way to meet new people and have the knowledge of a trained guide with you every step of the way. GetYourGuide and Viator are the best places to book tours of Bagan.
Check out these popular tours
When to go
The most popular time to visit Myanmar is in the dry season from November to February.
Bagan is one of Myanmar’s most popular travel destinations so travelling in the shoulder season is a good way to avoid the brunt of the crowds but still get the best of the weather.
- Wet season: May – October
- Cool season: November – February (Peak season)
- Hot season: March – May
Expected costs
A ticket to the Bagan Archeological Zone is 25,000 kyat ($12 USD) which lasts for 3 days.
An e-bike for the day costs about 8000 kyat ($4.50) and a pedal bike is just 2,000 kyat ($1).
A large bottle of water is about $0.20.
Accommodation in Nyuang U starts from about $20 per night whereas hostels in New Bagan can be found for $12 upwards. Use Booking.com or Hostelworld to browse hotel and hostel deals in Bagan.
The top 15 sites in Bagan
Bagan is packed with so many historic sites that it would be impossible to see everything in just one day. In its prime there were around 10,000 Buddhist temples and monuments in the city and miraculously over 2,000 remain.
Locations are often split by hundreds of metres and with so many to choose from it can be hard to decide which ones to see.
Here is a list of the best 15 sites to see in Bagan and a handy map showing where they are all located:
- Shwesandaw Paya
- Shwezigon Pagoda
- Sulamani Temple
- Pyathagyi Pagoda
- Dhammayazaka Pagoda
- Thitsawadi Paya
- Ananda Temple
- Shwegu Gyi Temple
- Thatbyinnyu Temple
- Mingalar Zedi Pagoda
- Bagan Biewing Tower Sunset
- Khayminga Temple
- Htilominio Temple
- Min O chanta Phaya
- Maha Zedi
During my trip I used maps.me to help plan a rough route through the minefield of pagodas, but honestly it’s best to just send it and see what you find along the way.
Some of the coolest locations in Bagan are the small unmarked temples that aren’t well-known!
6 Bagan top tips
Before you start your adventure in the maze of temples there are some things you should consider first.
Here are some quick-fire tips for Bagan to ensure you’re fully prepared:
- Duration: Although you can see the best bits of Bagan in one full day, I suggest spending at least two to see everything in depth.
- Keep your ticket on you: Make sure you don’t lose your ticket! Officials will be constantly checking it around the archeological zone at certain sites.
- Watch the sunrise: At least once during your visit you should make a point of witnessing one of the beautiful Bagan sunrises from one of the small hills or vantage points throughout the city.
- Bring lots of water: It’ll be hot and you have to stay hydrated while out in the sun. Water is available from some small stores dotted around the area but best come prepared and refill if necessary.
- Don’t climb the pagodas: In previous years you were able to climb up pagodas for amazing photos and panoramic views, but you are no longer allowed to do this due to the temples gaining UNESCO status.
- Remove your shoes: Always remember to remove your socks and shoes before entering religious sites as a sign of respect to local culture.
5 highlights of Bagan
1. Shwezigon Pagoda
The golden Shwezigon Pagoda is an iconic temple in Bagan for its refreshingly bright colour and its well preserved state, unlike most of the other temples you’ll see here.
Shwezigon was built in 1102 and is located in Nyaung-U, slightly outside of the main cluster of temples that are found in Old Bagan. Its intricate design and dazzling appearance make it one of the must-see highlights of the ancient city.
2. Ananda Temple
Ananda is Bagan’s most sacred temple and was built in 1105 before later being destroyed in 1975 by an earthquake.
It was totally restored with bricks and plaster and is famous for its elegant and symmetrical appearance, as well as the four large images of Buddha found inside.
3. Shwesandaw Pagoda
Shwesandaw Pagoda is the second tallest temple in all of Bagan and features five tall stone terraces that used to be be the best place to watch the sunset from, hence its nickname “sunset temple”.
The imposing structure was built in 1057 by King Anawrahta, the founder of the Bagan Kingdom, and is a worthy stop on your adventures.
4. Khayminga Stupas
One of my favourite parts of Bagan and somewhat of a hidden gem is Khayminga, which is located close to the famous Htilominlo Temple.
Despite being on the main tourist trail this location is often overlooked and offers an amazing place to watch sunset or sunrise from, with the epic shadows creating a very photogenic and interesting scene.
The small cluster of stupas here is sure to surprise you and you’ll most likely have it all to yourself.
5. Htilominlo Temple
Htilominlo is one of Bagan’s younger temples, built in 1211, and is named after King Htilominlo who once reigned the city.
This 46m temple has three stories and dominates the surrounding landscape. Only the first floor is accessible, but it’s the exterior details and appearance that are most impressive.
This is another essential stop in Bagan!
Other experiences not to miss
Despite Bagan being famous for its hundreds of beautiful pagodas and temples, here are three other things to consider doing while you’re in the area.
1. Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride
Operating between April and October, hot air balloon rides in Bagan are popular yet quite pricey.
Seeing the ancient city from above will set you back between $350 – $450 USD but if you’ve never experienced this before, it’s sure to be a worthwhile investment and a memory you will cherish forever.
Book a hot air balloon experience here with Golden Eagle Balloon Tours.
2. Go up Bagan Viewing Tower
With climbing up the remaining temples now banned, the best viewpoint to watch sunset from in the city is from the top of the Bagan Viewing Tower in the east of the archeological zone.
Bagan Tower is not included in your entrance ticket, so for an additional fee of $4 you can take the elevator up to the open-air 12th floor where you get 360 panoramic views over Old Bagan from 60m up. This is something I highly recommend doing.
The tower first opened in 2005 and features a souvenir shop on the ground floor as well as a restaurant on the top floor, however it is extremely expensive so I don’t recommend buying anything there. I mean… $4 for a can of coke is crazy in Myanmar – you can buy about 8 cans for that price just 100m away!
3. Check out the Old Bagan Museum
Located in Old Bagan is a museum dedicated to the history of the city.
Here you can take in lots of information about Bagan’s past and find out how the city use to look, what day to day life was like and how its inhabitants used to dress.
The temples themselves do not provide much of this information, so if you have some spare time in the area before you leave then I recommend heading here to enjoy the displays and learn something you would have otherwise never known!
It is open from 8am – $:30pm daily.
My experience in Bagan
Well, I hope you like temples!
I spent 2 days exploring Bagan after a few nights at Inle Lake and I can safely say it was easily the highlight of my entire trip in Myanmar.
The long distances between sites makes each one extremely rewarding. Nothing is too close together or too far apart. You always have your own space and can it can sometimes feel like you’re the only person there if you time it right and get off the main tourist trail, not to mention because the e-bikes are so nice and silent too!
I got up early to watch sunrise on both mornings to see Bagan in all its glory, and because it’s the best time for photography in the soft light. With over 2000 temples and pagodas in the area you’ll never get to see them all in just 2 days, but every 5 seconds on that scooter I saw something else I wanted to stop at – it’s the gift that just keeps giving! That said, even for a temple lover like myself, two days is definitely enough time to see the best bits before you get ‘templed out’.
As I said in the intro – Bagan is somewhere you simply cannot skip in Myanmar, and I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary!
Bagan photo gallery
Various extra shots I took during my visit to Bagan.
Thinking of visiting Southeast Asia soon? Don’t miss these essential guides to help planning your trip:
Best tours of Bagan
Thank you for reading this travel guide – I hope you found it helpful! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible 
Happy travelling!
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Accommodation: Booking.com, Hostelworld
Tours: GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook, TripAdvisor
Transport: 12Go, Omio, Trip.com, Rome2Rio
WHO IN THE WORLD IS JAMES?
Click below to learn more about my story, including 5 random facts about me, some travel FAQ’s and my entire travel history.
