Bagan is situated on the eastern banks of the Ayeryarwady River, south of Mandalay (190 km) in Burma (Myanmar) King Anawrahta made it his capital in the beginning of the 11th century. He built a city, which even today is one of the wonders of Asia. He collected famous artists and craftsmen and even brought 30 elephants loaded with Buddhist scriptures to Bagan to build this unique city. Over the next two centuries Bagan flourished and many more pagodas and buildings were built. Kublai Khan heard of the magnificent Bagan and came to sack it leaving it desolate, never to be rebuilt. The 1975 earthquake inflicted further damage. Even so Bagan like the proverbial phoenix has risen from the ashes and most of the important buildings have been restored. Bagan's over 2000 surviving temples and pagodas dot the skyline with spires as far as the eye can see. Shwezigon the traditional gold pagoda has magnificent lions guarding its entrance. It enshrines the holy tooth and collarbone of the Buddha. Chronicles record with pride, Shiwezigon is famous in the world of men and world of sprits as far as the world of Brahmas. Ananda Temple is a masterpiece of early temple architecture. Four standing Buddha's each 31 feet high represent the four Buddha's who have attained Nirvana. Two sacred footprints of Buddha on a pedestal in the western porch make this perhaps the most important temple. The gilded tower has niches filled with images of Buddha.
The highest temple is Thatbyinnyu, which rises to 200 feet, was built in the 12th century. It gives visitors a magnificent view of Bagan from it's top. It is difficult to tear yourself away from this view even to admire the Buddha images in its upper storey. The Gawdawpalin is similar to Thatbyinnyu and is one of the largest and most imposing of Bagan's temples. It catch the sun as it sets over is perhaps the best place to the River Ayeryarwady. Close by lies the Museum, which is worth a visit. Shwesandaw is a cylindrical stupa, which has a 20-meter reclining Buddha in a shed next to it. To the east of Thatbyinnyu is the only Hindu temple left in Bagan. Built in 931 before the advent of Buddhism it is a temple to Vishnu. It has carvings of the nine avtars of Vishnu with Buddha being the 9th avtar. Bagan is famous for its lacquerware. The village of Manuha, close to Bagan is where this exquisite lacqueware is produced. It is sold in many shops there as well. No one should leave without buying some as it makes excellent souvenirs and gifts. The village also has a temple with exquisite Buddhas. The Library in Bagan village houses the famous 30 elephant loads of Buddhist scriptures brought by the king Anawrahta when he built Bagan. Buddhist scholars and devotees love to visit and see these.
Bagan really comes into its own both at sunrise and at sunset. Thousands of Pagoda temple spires rising out of the mist creating an almost surreal scene. Aerial (Ched Spelling) tours take visitors to view Bagan from the sky, expensive but worth it River cruises are also special and most visitors take them. Bagan can be reached by air from Rangoon (Yangon) the capital.