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 Bagan at a glance:

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The World Heritage Site of Bagan is the wonder of wonders in this 'Golden Land' of wonders.  Scattered across a vast arid plain stand over 3,000 extant monuments that proclaim the piety and power of Myanmar's first empire.  As a former center of Buddhist spirituality and learning, Bagan ranks amongst the great sites of India and Tibet.  As a manifestation of a dynamic and original form of architecture, Bagan stands alongside the other great Buddhist centers of South-East Asia, such as Angkor in Cambodia or Borobudur in Java.  Some of these monuments, such as the Dhammayangyi, are colossal brick pyramids; others, like the Thatbyinnyu or Gawdawpalin soar up over 50m high with resplendent spires.  There are small temples with rich schemes of wall painting and others with outstanding cycles of sculpture.  There were originally 10,000 temples at Bagan, mainly constructed of brick between the 11th and 13th centuries.  In these three centuries Myanmar was first unified as single political entity under the kings of Bagan.  Little remains of the original palace and domestic architecture, for the people of Bagan glorified their faith not themselves.  These many monuments are to the Buddha alone.  Bagan cannot fail to move.  Ask any visitor who has watched the sun rise or sun set across these fields of glowing terra-cotta brick temples.  This is the spiritual heart of Myanmar where the young Myanmar nation, first unified under one king and one faith, came to express its creative genius.  The temples now are empty.  The great communities of chanting monks and learned scholars disbanded with the anarchy that followed the Mongol invasion of 1278.  Gone are the reverberating gongs and tinkling temple bells; alms processions and sumptuous ceremonies.  In place is a calmness and peace and a vision of what man when moved by philosophy is capable of.  Bagan is just 193km south of Mandalay in Upper Myanmar.  It is on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River.  Bagan airport is easily accessible by air from Mandalay, Yangon and Heho.  The more adventurous can embark on a journey of a lifetime by boat from Mandalay, along the Ayeyarwady river to the heart of Bagan.  From Yangon one can take a plane to Bagan.  The trip just takes an hour.  For one who loves to have a look at the countryside, there is also a motor-way.  Bagan is accessible from Mandalay by road: just a 3-hours' drive.  There is also overnight cruise from Mandalay to Bagan for those who love riverine trip. Visitors are required to pay US$10 for admission to the archaeological zone.  US$3 is charged for every extra day exceeding 2 days and 2 nights.  Bagan is also famous for its artistic handicrafts and lacquer wares.  These are among the most popular souvenirs.