Destinations

 Bagan

Bagan is one of the famous archaeological sites in South East Asia. Bagan is located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River in the dry zone of Central Myanmar. The first capital of Myanmar Empire, Bagan covers an area of 42 sq.km containing over 2000 well-preserved pagoda and temples of the 11th - 13th century. The founder of Bagan Empire was King Anawrahta (1044-1077). He was well dedicated to the people, to the county and Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism flourished in Myanmar and the thousands of temples we still see today, began to take shape. The successive Kings built magnificent pagodas, perfecting the architectural skills with each generation. Bagan was a greatest kingdom that rose to glory in the early 11th century. The age of Bagan was from AD 107 to AD 1369. According to the inscriptions from Bagan Period, the literary name of Bagan was "Arimaddana pura" which means, "crushing of enemies".

Ananda Temple

Ananda Temple built by King Kyansittha in 1090 A.D. This temple is the masterpiece of the early style temple architecture. It is one of the finest and most venerated temples in Bagan, symbolizing the endless wisdom of Lord Buddha. There are four huge Buddha images in the standing position, 10 metre high inside the Temple and eighty reliefs depicting the life of Buddha from his Birth to his Enlightenment. The Ananda seems like a magic cave full of wonders. The corridors are honeycombed with niches, which hold small stone images of the Buddha in various postures. Ananda is the most beautiful among the greatest four temple of Bagan.

SHWEZIGON PAGODA

Shwezigon Pagoda was the first monument built in the Myanmar style, the prototype for late pagodas. It was first founded by King Anawrahta and finished by King Kyansittha in 1087. The legend stories said that a tooth relic from Sri Lanka, a frontlet relic from Tharakhettaya and emerald image of the Buddha from China were enshrined at Shwezigon pagoda. Nat (spirit) images can found within its precincts.
 

THATBYINNYU TEMPLE

Thatbyinnyu built by King Alaungsithu in mid-12th century A.D. Thatbyinnyu means "the Omniscient". Thatbyinnyu is one of the highest Temples in Bagan, rising to a height of 61 metres.

DHAMAYANGYI TEMPLE

Dhamayangyi Temple was built by King Narathu in 1170 A.D. This enormous pagoda was built within one year by force of the King. Dhamayangyi, extending approximately 255 feet on each of its four sides is the most massive temple with the finest brickwork.

GUBYAUKGYI PAGODA

King Kyansittha's son Rajakumara was build in early 13th century A.D. Gubyaukgyi "Great Painted Cave Temple". Inside the pagoda, 550 Buddhist stories (jatakas) can be seen on the inner wall subtitled Myanmar and Pali (Sacred Language). Some missing plates of these stories are stolen during the British annexation.

GAWDAWPALIN TEMPLE

King Narapatisithu (1174-1211) built by Gawdawpalin temple. About 60 metres high, the top terrace used to be a popular place to catch the sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River. This temple is the second tallest in Bagan.

BUPAYA PAGODA

Bupaya is situated right on the eastern river banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River and built by King Pyusaw Htee, the 3rd King of Bangan. The shape is extraordinary being in the shape of a gourd. Bupaya is one of the famous pagodas on the Bagan plain for watching the sunset with the panoramic river views. Bupaya claimed to be the oldest pagoda dating back of 3rd century. The earthquake destroyed it in 1975 and it has been totally rebuilt.

MINGALARZEDI

The great pagodas of Bagan, the Mingalarzedi, the"Auspicious pagoda" was built by King Narathihapate(1256-1287). Mingalarzedi is an outstanding representative of the pagoda type whose form was established by the shwezigon. The three receding terraces, the low, bell-like dome on its octagonal base. You can see beautiful tiles of Buddhist stories around the three square terraces.

SHWESANDAW PAGODA

Shewsandaw Pagoda built by King Anawrahta (1044-1077), the Shwesandaw means "Golden Holy Hair Relic". Originally, the King of Bago obtained the four holy hair relics, and enshrining three in pagodas, he kept the fourth in a jewelled casket to be worshipped by the kings of Bago. It was this last holy hair relic which Anawrahta received. The bell of the Pagoda rises from two octagonal bases that have the five square terraces. The upper terrace is the best place to watch the Bagan's marvellous sunset.
 

SHWEGUGYI TEMPLE

Shwegugyi means the "Golden Cave Temple", built by King Alaungsithu in 1114 A.D. Shwegugyi Temple situated just to the north of Thatbyinnyu, the Shwegugyi is a large single story temple set on a large and tall (c. 13 feet) platform. There are three-square receding upper terraces with corner spires or stupas at each corner on top of the central block.
 

HTILOMINLO TEMPLE

Htilominlo was built by King Nandaungmya in 1223 A.D. to commemorate his achievement in the selection of the Crowned Prince among five princes. During the competition, the royal white umbrella was titled towards him. It is popularly known for its fine plaster carvings. Htilominlo Temple is one of the larger temples of Bagan, each side of the square base measuring 140 feet and the whole structure rising 150 feet high.

SULAMANI TEMPLE

Sulamani means "Crowning Jewel" and was built by King Narapati-sithu in 1181 A.D. The archi-tecture of the temple is similar to Htilominlo and Gawdawpalin but the interior lighting is better than them. Sulamani is famous for its fine brick works and dim traces of mural painting can be seen on the inner wall.
 

LAWKANANDA PAGODA

Built by King Anawrahta as it was written in the history of Shwezigon. He put a relic of Buddha on the back of a white elephant and made a decision that he would build a pagoda to enshrine the relic where the elephant sowed. Lawkananda was completed before Shwezigon was finished. Lawkananda pagoda is situated at the edge of the river, this large gilded stupa is one of the prominent visual landmarks of Bagan and can be seen by all boats that pass along the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Bagan Archaeological Museum

It is situated near Gawdawpalin Temple. It housed more than 2 000 items including Buddha statues, stucco pieces, terra-cotta cups and pots. The new Bagan Archaeological Museum was opened on 17 April 1998. It is now a three storey building built in an octagonal design as the base. The building is fully furnished with Myanmar handicrafts.
 

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Tour Code ( SST999- P-1 )
4 Days 3 Nights
Yangon - Bago - Golden Rock (Kyaihtiyo Pagoda) - Yangon
 
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Tour Code ( SST999 - P-2  )
4 Days 3 Nights
Yangon - Thanlyin - Bago - Yangon

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