This silo-shaped building, part of the Tay Za–owned Aureum Palace hotel, has a 9th-floor restaurant and an observation deck on the 12th floor, which affords fine views over the temple-filled plains and the Ayeyarwady River in the distance. Unfortunately, the tower (built in 2005) is a complete eyesore, and should never have been built in the midst of such an important archaeological zone.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
2.26 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…
2.09 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…
1.78 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…
3.25 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…
2.58 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…
26.55 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…
3 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…
1.45 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…
Nearby Bagan attractions
0.38 MILES
Dating from the mid-13th century, this small, single-chambered temple has fine frescoes and a ruined seated buddha. It’s about 650ft north of Thambula; a…
0.49 MILES
Just in front of Nandamannya, this working underground monastery dates from the 11th century. Bring a torch to walk along the cavern-like corridors and…
0.58 MILES
This square temple, surrounded by crumbling walls just north of Payathonzu, is decorated with faded Jataka frescoes and was built in 1255 by Thambula, the…
0.64 MILES
A couple of hundred yards north of Leimyethna by dirt road, this spired temple gets attention for the views from its upper reaches. Damaged in the 2016…
0.69 MILES
Across the main road from Tayok, this complex of three interconnected shrines (the name means 'Three Stupas') is worth seeing for its 13th-century murals…
0.8 MILES
Built in 1222, this east-facing, whitewashed temple near Minnanthu village (a mile or two east of Dhammayazika on the north side of the road) stands on a…
1.16 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…
1.22 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 …