Bagan
Although officially credited to Kyanzittha, this cave temple may actually date back to Anawrahta. Built into a cliff face 270yd southwest of Shwezigon, the long, dimly lit corridors are decorated with frescoes, some of which are thought to have been painted by Bagan’s Tatar invaders during the Mongol occupation after 1287. An attendant will usually greet you with keys to unlock the doors. Bring a torch.
It’s very quiet in here and you can actually see the 700-year-old brush strokes.
2.05 MILES
With its 170ft-high, gold corn-cob hti (decorated pinnacle) shimmering across the plains, Ananda is one of the finest, largest, best-preserved and most…
2.47 MILES
Visible from all parts of Bagan, this massive, walled, 12th-century temple – about 1600ft east of Shwesandaw – is infamous for its mysterious, bricked-up…
0.28 MILES
At the western end of Nyaung U, this big, beautiful zedi (stupa) is the town’s main religious site, and is most famous for its link with Myanmar's main…
3.59 MILES
Just south of Manuha Paya by dirt road, this shrine is said to have been used as Manuha’s prison, although there is little evidence supporting the legend…
2.75 MILES
Bagan’s most famous sunset-viewing spot, Shwesandaw is a graceful white pyramid-style pagoda with steps leading past five terraces to the circular stupa…
27.98 MILES
From the nat shrine, start up the many steps under a covered walkway and past the rows of trinket and souvenir shops and shrines to a revered local…
2.75 MILES
Standing 197ft tall, Gawdawpalin is one of the largest and most imposing Bagan temples, although by no means the most inspiring, with its modernised altar…
2.04 MILES
This temple with five doorways is known as the Crowning Jewel and was constructed around 1181 by Narapatisithu. It is one of Bagan’s most attractive…
0.28 MILES
At the western end of Nyaung U, this big, beautiful zedi (stupa) is the town’s main religious site, and is most famous for its link with Myanmar's main…
0.43 MILES
Just west of Nyaung U and about 330ft east of Gubyauknge, this detailed off-the-main-circuit, 13th-century temple has an Indian-style spire, like the…
0.44 MILES
Claiming that it’s the ‘Only One Thanakha Gallery in the World’, this sizeable complex has a small gallery devoted to the myriad medicinal and cosmetic…
0.45 MILES
Off Anawrahta Rd, almost a mile east of Htilominlo, this temple from the early Bagan period has some excellent stucco carvings on the outside walls …
1.23 MILES
This 150ft-high temple (built in 1218) marks the spot where King Nantaungmya was chosen (by a leaning umbrella, that timeless decider), among five…
1.29 MILES
Great for its views, this steep-stepped, pyramid-style stupa looks ho-hum from afar, but the narrow terrace has become something of an alternative sunset…
1.3 MILES
Just north of the Bagan–Nyaung U Rd, almost midway to Nyaung U, this squat mid-13th-century ordination hall houses some brightly painted frescoes on the…