Hints for Bagan temples to visit with headlamp

There are around 4000 temples. It's a bit difficult to describe how to find the ones that are not already marked on a map. And those on the map are the biggest and most popular.

You should engage a local guide. There are plenty of young people who live there who can do this for you. They can help you to find the less-known temples that are open and available to visit and they can also help you to negotiate with the 'caretakers' that many of the smaller temples have.

The temples with paintings will all be marked on maps already, so the chance of finding ones with few tourists at is not very Likely! As the previous post said- a decent guide might be useful or just hire a bike and cycle around to see what you can find. A bicycle can get to some areas that a big coach full of people can't always get to, so at least you might find some temples that aren't overrun with People!

The less visited temples are usually just brick structures. No need for head lamps to see brick walls.

As I remember on the way to Shwesandaw Pagoda (from the main road) to see sunset as other tourists often do, on the left hand side there is a small temple under conservation where you can visit with a torchlight (the old man - the guard inside the temple will give it to visitors to see the wall paint.

Just been an earthquake in Bagan, so you may need to rethink your visit.

Cycling around the remoter temples I did come across several that had paintings, not many tourists go them as you have to go by bike or ox cart. The map I had was all in Burmese, even the numbering so was not much use.

Its very sandy area, some find it hard to cycle but I had little trouble, watch out for snakes though.

As Herbie just posted- there has just been a strong earthquake affecting the Bagan area. A lot of temples have been damaged so I guess that might make it a no-go area for a While!

Thanks to all for your feedback.
Yes that earthquake has hit the area, but I will still visit as I think that lore than ever they need our support (and money) for pagods restoration

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