Bagan, Myanmar: travel guide
An archaeological wonder of Southeast Asia — over 2,000 ancient temples and pagodas spread across a vast plain on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River, best explored by e-bike at sunrise or from a hot-air balloon.
- Country
- Myanmar
- Currency
- MMK
- Time zone
- Asia/Rangoon
- Nearest airport
- NYU
Top places to visit in Bagan
Ananda Temple
Temple · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · entry MMK 25,000
Bagan's most magnificent and best-preserved temple — built in 1105, dedicated to infinite wisdom. The gleaming white and gold 51-metre tower enshrines four giant golden standing Buddhas facing the cardinal directions.
Shwezigon Pagoda
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · entry MMK 5,000
Bagan's most important pilgrimage pagoda — the 11th-century prototype for all Burmese bell-shaped stupas. The gilded central stupa is flanked by smaller pagodas and a famed nats (spirit) shrine.
Dhammayangyi Temple
Temple · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry MMK 25,000
Bagan's largest and most brooding temple — built by King Narathu in the 1170s with brick joints so tight that a needle could not pass between them. The imposing dark mass dominates the central plain.
Sulamani Temple
Temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · entry MMK 25,000
Known as the "crowning jewel" of Bagan's temples, built in 1183 and famed for exceptional exterior carvings and well-preserved interior frescoes. One of the finest examples of late Bagan-period architecture.
Htilominlo Temple
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry MMK 25,000
A beautifully detailed 46-metre temple built in 1218 featuring intricate plaster carvings, original glazed tiles, and well-preserved interior frescoes. Located near Nyaung-U and easily reached from guesthouses.
Bagan Viewing Tower (Nan Myint)
Viewpoint · 3.9 rating · about 1 h · entry MMK 3,000
The official observation tower in Nyaung-U offering 360-degree views across the temple plain at sunrise and sunset — the definitive bird's-eye perspective of Bagan's 2,000+ pagodas.
Bagan Archaeological Museum
Museum · 3.8 rating · about 1.3 h · entry MMK 5,000
A well-curated museum displaying recovered artefacts from the ancient city — sculptures, ceramics, coins, votive tablets, and inscriptions from the 9th to 13th centuries — with good contextual information in English.
Thatbyinnyu Temple
Temple · about 0.8 h
Gawdawpalin Temple
Temple · about 0.5 h
Manuha Temple
Temple · about 0.5 h
Nanpaya Temple
Temple · about 0.4 h
Mingalazedi Pagoda
Temple · about 0.5 h
Things to do
- Hot Air Balloon Over Bagan Adventure · 1 h · from MMK 618,000 per person
- E-Bike Temple Discovery Tour Cycling · 5 h · from MMK 48,500 per person
- Ayeyarwady Sunset River Cruise Boat · 1.5 h · from MMK 55,200 per person
- Ananda Temple Sunrise Photography Walk Historical Tour · 2 h · from MMK 61,800 per person
- Lacquerware Village Workshop — Nyaung-U Arts Crafts · 2.5 h · from MMK 39,700 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bagan Sunrise to Sunset Temple Day 14 h · from MMK 159,000
- Bagan Balloon & Temple Morning 6 h · from MMK 706,000
Where to stay in Bagan
- Old Bagan about MMK 12,000 per night
Staying inside the Archaeological Zone puts you amid the temples themselves — sunrise from your hotel garden is a real possibility. Luxury and boutique resorts dominate; budget options are limited here.
- Nyaung-U Town about MMK 2,500 per night
The lively market town 4 km east of Old Bagan is the budget and mid-range hub — packed with guesthouses, restaurants and e-bike rental shops. Better for sociable travellers and those watching costs.
Hotels
- Aureum Palace Hotel Bagan 5-star · MMK 200,000 to MMK 550,000 per night
- Ostello Bello Bagan 2-star · MMK 12,000 to MMK 45,000 per night
- Bagan Thande Hotel 4-star · MMK 90,000 to MMK 200,000 per night
- Bagan Central Hotel 3-star · MMK 40,000 to MMK 80,000 per night
- Amata Garden Resort Bagan 4-star · MMK 55,000 to MMK 130,000 per night
- Bagan Lodge 4-star · MMK 45,000 to MMK 100,000 per night
Where to eat
- Be Kind to Animals (BKTA) Burmese, Vegetarian · about MMK 5,000 per person
- The Moon Restaurant Nyaung-U Burmese, International · about MMK 4,500 per person
- Sarabha II Restaurant Burmese, International · about MMK 8,000 per person
- Black Bamboo Restaurant Burmese, Chinese · about MMK 5,000 per person
- Aroma 2 Indian · about MMK 6,000 per person
- Sanon Restaurant Western, Burmese, Fusion · about MMK 15,000 per person
- Weather Spoon's Restaurant and Bar Western, Burmese · about MMK 10,000 per person
- Queen Restaurant Burmese, Chinese · about MMK 7,000 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car With Driver main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Scooter Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced and damaged e-bike claims
Nyaung-U e-bike rental shops
On return, rental shops claim pre-existing scratches or damage were caused by you and demand large cash payments. Some shops rent bikes with pre-existing faults to enable this.
How to avoid it: Photograph the bike thoroughly (all angles) before leaving the rental shop and show the photos to the shopkeeper. Use a reputable shop with written rental agreements.
Unsolicited temple "guide" demands payment
Remote temple sites in the Bagan plains
A person stationed at a minor temple offers helpful information, then demands payment that was never agreed. The amount requested can be aggressive.
How to avoid it: Make clear upfront that you are not hiring a guide. If someone volunteers information unsolicited, a small token is fine but not obligatory. For official guides, agree price before starting.