Temples, Pagodas and Temples again – Welcome to Bagan
In July 2012 I traveled to Myanmar with fellow travel blogger The Most Alive. It was a very interesting trip to a country, which was hardly accessible for travelers and tourists for so many years.
Before the mass tourism would come, Ash and I decided to give it a try and visit the country.
One of our stops was Bagan. Known for its landscape we landed from Yangoon with Yangoon Airways with 9 hours delay on a hot Wednesday afternoon. It was good to feel dry heat again after having lived a year in Bangkok where humidity is king.
Bagan what? Old, New, different?
We checked into our lovely little guesthouse called Royal Bagan Guesthouse and walked around town. The guesthouse was located in New Bagan. The area in Bagan is divided into three different towns. You will find New Bagan in the south, Old Bagan about 3 km’s north of New Bagan and in the north, about 3 km’s to the east of old Bagan you will find Nyaung Oo, which seems to be the newest town in the area and is also located to the little airport.
What to do in Bagan
Bagan is known for its landscape of Pagodas. While you descent you will already see hundreds and thousands of Pagodas as far as the eye can see. Obviously, that is also why you are going there and so far this is also the only thing you can do: Watch Temples, Payas and Pagodas.
The easiest way to go and check them out is by bike. Most guesthouses and hotels are renting them out and it’s the easiest way to get around.
One day is enough to see the biggest temples and some of the small ones and see the sunset. If you have a lot of time in Myanmar and don’t want to rush things stay for two days.
If you decide to rent a bike and bike around the country I’d recommend to bike from one part of town to the next and do a whole round: New Bagan-> Old Bagan -> Nyaung Oo -> New Bagan. This will keep you busy for the day and you will sleep very well at night!
How to get to Bagan
Flying
There are a couple of ways to get to Bagan. The easiest and often the fastest (unless your plane brakes down and maintenance takes 9 hours) is flying. There are several airlines that offer direct service from Yangon. Flights vary between $99 – $115 one way.
Bus
There are several bus operators that connect Yangon with Bagan and also retour. They don’t have websites and schedules can vary. Best option would be to ask tour operators when in Yangon.
Most buses are overnight buses and leave around 6 PM and arrive in Bagan at 5-6 AM. The fare is between 15 000 – 18 000 kyat ($16-19) one way.
Most of the time a water is included in the fare. Make sure that you are wearing warm clothes. The buses are moving freezers.
Car
You can travel from Yangon to Bagan by car but it is only allowed with a guide provided by the government. Traveling in Myanmar is still very restricted and the government only opened a couple of cities for tourism.
Have you been to Bagan or do you plan to visit it when in Myanmar? Let us know your opinion in the comments blow!
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Epic memories bro!
Im still frothing on that photo of Sally!
Ash | The Most Alive recently posted..A Thousand Words: Doors & Windows
Yeah, It’s one of the best I have from the whole trip!
These photos are stunning! I’m seeing a lot about Bagan lately and, as a complete temple geek, it’s making me REALLY want to go to Myanmar. Shame about the 9 hours maintenance getting to Yangon, though?!
Waegook Tom recently posted..26 Things You Didn’t Know About Me: Secrets Over Virtual Margaritas
If you are a temple geek you will love Bagan! Better go now before the mass tourism gets there!
Gorgeous photos! I’d never get tired of the temples of Bagan. Love how they’re all a little bit different.
Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted..Photo Essay: A Walk Through Singapore’s Chinatown
I’ve seen a lot of blog posts recently about Bagan but I have to say your photos might be the best yet! Which method of transport did you take? I don’t think I’d like getting a plane from a sketchy airline.
Escaping Abroad recently posted..Contest: Win Trey’s Lightroom Presets!
We flew into Bagan with Yangon Airlines and took a bus from Bagan to Inley Lake and from Inley to Yangon. The bus ride between Inlay and Yangon was the worst I’ve ever been on. Ask if the bus operates new or old buses. We were in an old one and saw a couple of new buses going the same way. They also paid less than we did!
Thank you for your nice words! We flew into Bagan from Yangon and took the Bus from Bagan to Inley Lake and from Inley to Yangon. Bus is much cheaper but the roads aren’t that nice.
Great photos! I plan a visit there in 2015. How long is the bus rode from Bagannto Inle lake? My family is from Burma, my dad, grandma and a lot of family were born and raised in Yangon.
Heading here in a few weeks time. Cannot wait to see the endless golden pagodas at dawn by hot air balloon! I’ll definitely explore them by bike too.
Anisha A Niche World recently posted..FADED BEAUTY OF LISBON: Where Africa, South America & Europe converge
It was off season for seeing them in a hot air balloon when I was there but it was great seeing them with the bike too. Enjoy!
This is a new location on my list for my next trip!!
Looks great!! Love the landscape!!
I also loved Bagan very much. We explored it by horse, bike and balloon. The ballooning was awesome (everyone who wants to do it: book ahead). As the city is hot and dusty it is a good idea to jump in the pool of some of the other hotels for 5 dollars. We stayed at Pynsa Rupa which was very nice. To get to Mandalay we took the boat up the river because we had enough of the bus rides, too
.
The best restaurant: “A little bit of Bagan”.
I went to Bagan in January. I totally fell in love with the place. It’s so mysterious and the views are amazing. I love your photos!
Jo recently posted..How I met Thiri and found a perfect spot for a sunset in Bagan
This is like Persepolis or Petra…looks like a whole city just waiting to be explored. Aaaaand back to checking flight prices to Southeast Asia!
OCDemon recently posted..Sexy Tango time on Red Square
Brilliant Bagan – So many buildings to see dotted around the countryside. Very hot most of the year except when it rains. Overnight bus from Rangoon is horrible experience, the sleeper train is much nicer but takes slightly longer !
Take the plane if you are short of time. Hire a horse and cart if you are only here for one day, it covers a lot of ground, most of the main temples and it much less sweat inducing than walking or cycling, however if you use the latter methods of transport you can get to see unique views etc.
lovely place. went there last January
Jardness recently posted..Preparing for my Korean Trip