Bagan, the capital of the first Myanmar Empire, richest archeological sites in South-east Asia located on the eastern bank of the Ayarwaddy river in central Myanmar about 193 Km South of Mandalay. The city of Bagan covers an area of 42 Sq Km with over 2000 well preserved pagodas and temples of the 11th to 13th Century. Bagan is one of the main tourist destinations in Myanmar due to presence of pilgrimage centre containing ancient Buddhist Shrines that have been restored and renovated. Many of the important structures were damaged and destroyed due to the severe earthquake on July 8, 1975.
It was first built probably in 849 AD and from 11th to 13th Century, was the capital of the region roughly size of modern Myanmar. In 1287 AD, Bagan was over run by the Mongols and never recovered its position though a little building continued on Buddhist shrines. It is noted for a school of lacquer and its heritage.
Old Bagan was a walled city, with moats fed by water from Ayarwaddy River and the circuit of the walls and river frontage was about 2.5 miles (4 Km) and about a third of the city washed away by the river. During King Anawratha, Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism was adopted from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1056 AD and large number of monasteries and shrines were built and maintained during the next 200 years and the city became one of the most important centers of Buddhist learning.
All means of Transportation are accessible to Bagan from all over the country. There are daily flights between Yangon and Bagan which take an hour and 20 minutes and regular flights from Mandalay and Heho. Express trains from Yangon and Mandalay stop at Thazi junction, from where must travel by car.
There are daily express buses to Bagan from Yangon; Mandalay or rental cars are also available. One can also reach Bagan along Ayarwaddy River by double decker steamer service from Mandalay, and a luxury cruise Road to Mandalay, Pandaw, and Ayarwaddy Princess Etc. Time tables of the public transportation service has to be enquired from the nearest authorized travel agencies for the pleasant journey. For accommodation there are hotels, motels and guest house with modern facilities at reasonable prices.
Among many pagodas and monasteries and temples some important ones should not be missed during stay in Bagan. These are: - Shwe Zigon stupa (prototype for later stupas of Myanmar). Ananda Temple (a masterpiece of King Kyansittha in the shape of a perfect Greek Cross), Damayangyi Temple (perhaps one of the best preserved in Bagan and has motor-less brick work), Shwe Sandaw Pagoda (One of the best places for sunset and Thatbyinnyu Temple ( the tallest in Bagan).