THE BEST Sights and Attractions in Bagan
From iconic landmarks to hidden gems — explore the best sights and attractions in Bagan with curated picks, local tips, and free itinerary planning tools.
🏛️ Sights and Attractions in Bagan
- Ananda Temple — One of Bagan's most revered temples, a perfectly proportioned 12th-century masterpiece with four standing Buddhas facing the cardinal directions.
- Shwezigon Pagoda — A golden bell-shaped stupa from the 11th century, the prototype for later Myanmar pagodas, with glazed terracotta plaques depicting Jataka tales.
- Thatbyinnyu Temple — At 61 meters, the tallest temple in Bagan, built in 1144 with two stories and sweeping views over the plain from its terraces.
- Dhammayangyi Temple — The largest temple in Bagan, built by King Narathu in 1170 with massive brick walls and interior corridors.
- Htilominlo Temple — A 13th-century temple with fine plaster carvings and glazed plaques, built by King Nantaungmya.
- Bagan Archaeological Museum — A museum near the Gawdawpalin Temple displaying artifacts from the Bagan period, including Buddha images, lacquerware, and stone inscriptions.
- Nanpaya Temple — A 12th-century sandstone temple with intricate carvings of Brahma, built by the captive Mon king.
- Manuha Temple — A temple built by the captive Mon king Manuha, with three giant seated Buddhas crammed into small rooms symbolizing his imprisonment.
- Gawdawpalin Temple — A large 12th-century temple on the Irrawaddy riverbank, partially damaged by the 1975 earthquake and rebuilt.
- Irrawaddy River — The mighty Irrawaddy River flows past Bagan, best experienced on a sunset boat cruise watching temples glow on the riverbank.