17 Best Bagan Pagodas To Visit In Myanmar
If you are visiting Myanmar, I am sure you wouldn’t skip Bagan. The fantastic pictures of Bagan Pagodas with hot air balloons and mountains in the backdrop will make you take the Bagan trip. At least, that’s what made me go. And, yes, you’ll be thrilled at first sight of thousands of Bagan Pagodas sprinkled all over. With over 1000 temples, how to pick the best Bagan Pagodas? Don’t worry, this Bagan travel guide for best Bagan temples will help you make the decisions.
Top Bagan Pagodas To Visit
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If you found the history of Bagan interesting, wait for the best of Bagon Pagodas. Here is a list of best Bagan temples that you can visit on your first Bagan trip.
Most Popular Bagan Pagodas
- Dhammangayi Temple
My favourite of all Bagan Pagodas is Dhammangayi Temple, the largest of all, which looks like one of the Incan pyramids. Its vast size makes it one of the dominating temples in the area. You can’t skip the biggest Bagan Pagoda.
bagan pagodas
Plus, the temple has a fascinating history. King Narathu, who built this temple, became the emperor after murdering his father and brother. Worried that bad Karma would get back at him and to seek some good merit, he constructed this vast temple.
- Bu Phaya
This temple is exclusive because of its unique location. It is situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, from where you can get some stunning panoramic views of the mountains and the river.
Bhu paya
It is also the oldest Bagan Pagoda in the city. Another reason not to skip this. The sign at the entrance states that it was built in the year 300 AD, many centuries before the Bagan Kingdom.
Bagan Pagodas
Beautiful views of the Irrawaddy along Bhu Paya temple
Bu Phaya means the temple in the shape of a gourd. At this place, the farmers couldn’t grow due to gourds that destroyed crops. King Pyusawhti solved this problem and built a pagoda here. Go here during the evening to watch a fantastic sunset.
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- Shwezigon Pagoda
I know, the name is similar to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. Well, it’s not just the name, the Pagoda is enormous and golden as well resembling the Yangon one. The best time to visit this temple is at night when it is lit, and the golden colour shines through.
Best Bagan Pagodas
The golden stupa is the most impressive part of this Pagoda. It was one of the first temples built in Bagan and started the tradition of constructing large temples. If you travel to Bagan In December, visit this temple for a unique festival that takes place here, during which Shwezigon Pagoda is decorated.
- Ananda Temple
The most touristy of all Bagan Pagodas is Ananda Pagoda. It is a giant white Pagoda housing majestic standing Buddha covered in gold. You should visit this temple because of its grand structure and the serene-looking Buddhas. The best time to visit Anand Phaya is early in the morning in the evening if you want to escape crowds.
Ananda Temple
The beautifully sculpted temple is topped with a golden tower or Shikara. The architecture is North Indian style, which was brought here by the Indian monks who visited the King. So you’ll notice that it is different in a manner than the other Bagan temples, which follow the Burmese architectural style.
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- Sulamani Temple
best Bagan Pagodas
Sulamani Pagoda lies away from the main road and is one of those large temples that stand out in the group. You should visit this temple for the grand tiered architecture. It is one of the popular Bagan Pagodas that can’t be skipped.
- Gawdawpalin Temple
Gawdawpalin is the second-largest Bagan temple, and one of the four white Bagan Pagodas. It is also one of the temples built during the best times of Bagan empire, which is reflected in its rich architecture. - Thatbyinnyu Temple
It is very similar to Gawdawpalin in architecture and is one of the white and large temples in Bagan. Visit this between other brick temples to have a mix of Pagodas.
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- Shwesandaw Pagoda
Shwesandaw Pagoda is my favourite among the white temples. To begin with, it is tall – 328 feet high. Plus the stupa resides on top of five levels of square terraces with steep steps leading to the top(which you can no longer climb).
bagan temples
The perfectly symmetrical terraces are carved with motifs – all of these make it an impressive monument. If you want to choose between the four large white temples, I’d recommend you to keep this one.
- Bulethi Temple
Bulethi
Bulethi is one of the unique among Bagan Pagodas. It is located on a hilltop, and its architecture is a mix of Bagan and Sri Lankan style. Sculpted square terraces are leading to a bulbous top, which is unique to this temple. Visit Bulethi to feel this difference.
More Beautiful Bagan Pagodas
- Htilominlo temple
Htilominlo is one of the large temples known for its magnificent architecture, named after King Htilominlo. Designed in Indian architectural style, it’s three-storeyed that is sculpted, with a Shikara or a tower at the top.
best temples in bagan
It is also one of the well-maintained Bagan Pagodas. It is located close to Bulethi, and you can combine them in a visit.
- Dhammayazika pagoda
One of the temples that I loved is Dhammayazika pagoda. It is off the touristy list, which cuts down the number of people visiting. It is very neatly kept, has a garden and shady places to relax( which you’ll be craving for in that hot weather). The temple is worth visiting for its vast golden dome-shaped stupa at the centre, and the intricately decorated terrace.
PS: I got confused with Dhammayangi( which spell similar except the last part), which I am mentioning here to tell don’t be like me.
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If you want to go offbeat, Seinnyet Sister Pagodas are worth adding to your list. They are 12th century, small twin temples dedicated to Queen Seinnyet and her sister. - Gubyaukgyi Temple
Gubyaukgyi is one of the few remaining cave temples in Bagan as most of them are gone. It is a small pagoda built in Indian style but worth visiting for its architecture and encaved shrine. - Pyathadar Temple
Pyathadar is one of the last large temples in Bagan. It is worth visiting its architecture – large brick outer structure houses a double cave monastery, which was earlier surrounded by wooden structures.
It is also one of those prominent temples built during the peak period of the Bagan kingdom.
- Mingalazedi Pagoda
Mingalazedi
Again, one of the last large Bagan Pagodas built is Mingalazedi, known for intricate carvings of the Jataka tales of Buddha. The stepped terraces with a stupa on the top – it’s a classic example of a Bagan temple style.
- Myazedi Pagoda
Myazedi Pagoda is one of the temples with a beautiful large golden gilded stupa. But the temple is in this list of worth visiting Bagan monuments for the Myazedi stone inscription. It is the oldest stone inscription of Burma ever discovered.
Bagan Pagodas
The inscription has a mixture of 4 ancient languages – Pali, Pyu, Old Burmese and Mon and consists of a story of a King and his father.
- Mahabodhi Temple
One of the worth visiting temples in Old Bagan is Mahabodhi. It is a small pagoda built replicating the temple of Mahabodhi located in India, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment over 3000 years ago.
Bonus Bagan Pagodas
If you have time or you don’t mind adding two more pagodas to your list, I would suggest checking these two.
- Lawkananda Stupa
Lawkananda Stupa is another temple influenced by India. It is a simple Pagoda in style with a golden top, but what makes it worth visiting is its location. It sits on the other side on the banks of Irrawaddy, and the sunset views are gorgeous.
If you want to watch a sunset for views something apart from the silhouettes of the temples, Lawkananda is the place.
- Thisa Wadi Temple
Thisa Wadi or Thitsawadi is one of the last major Bagan temples to be built. Just after its completion was the start of the decline after Bagan empire was invaded.
bagan temples
It is located away from all the famous temples. Why should you visit This Wadi? Until a year ago, it was one of the few temples available to watch the sunset from the top. Now that it’s not possible, you should visit to get off the beaten path in Bagan.
Most likely, you would be the only tourist. And also, there are scores of smaller temples on the way in case you wish to get lost amidst Bagan Pagodas.
