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bagan
Occupying the extensive dry plain on eastern bank of majestic Ayeyarwaddy river, old city Bagan scatters the ruins of several thousand ancient Buddhist monuments which were built in early 2nd millennium. King Anawrahta, in AD1044, founded First Burmese Empire and introduced Theravada Buddhism to throughout the country. Majority of the religious monuments in Bagan area were constructed during his time. Despite of a massive earthquake in 1975 that damaged many temples, immediate repair works could maintain the priceless heritages from totally vanishing. Even two or three full days time to Bagan is not enough for a thorough visit. Anyone arriving this zone cannot help surprising how people of those ancient times had abilities to build such amazing monuments without any modern construction technologies. Major places to visit in Bagan are: Ananda TempleBuilt by King Kyansittha in 1091. Golden stupa at the top with white-washed four-sided edifice at base. Best surviving masterpiece of Mon architecture. Four large vestibules form the shape of a perfect symetrical Greek cross. Four 9.5m-tall standing teak Buddha images represent the four Buddhas of recent world-cycle. Terracotta-glazed tiles on the walls illustrate the Jataka tales. Very shocking architecture among all. Thatbyin Nyu TempleThatbyin Nyu Temple is the highest (500m) in the area and is famous for hollow cubic structure making the interior bright and ventilated. Previously it was the sunset viewing height but later prohibitted from climbing up by anyone due to maintenance reason. Dhammayangyi TempleDhammayangyi Temple, famous for its perfect brickwork and masonry, was built by King Narathu who was so strict while building this massive temple. The temple brings many legends and is believed to be haunted (by some local people) due to past reasons. Shwesandaw PagodaShwesandaw Pagoda gives sunset panoramic view of the whole site where all tourists gather in evenings waiting with cameras and videos on the high precincts of the pagoda. Manuha templeManuha temple is a strange-styled temple in which a huge reclined Buddha image was built in a narrow confined space to symbolize the distressed soul of the defeated King Manuha who was captured from his Thaton palace to Bagan. Myazedi StoneMyazedi Stone is also called as Burma's Rosetta stone and is famous for its stone inscription written in four languages - Burmese, Pyu, Mon and Pali. Gubyaukgyi TempleGubyaukgyi Temple is a typical place in which 1000-years-old mural paintings (Bagan's finest frescoes) can be seen on walls despite some were vandalized in late 1800s. Shwezigon PagodaShwezigon Pagoda is a gilded huge unique stupa built by King Anwarahta, in Nyaung-U village, just 5km northeast of Bagan. Holy relics of Buddha enshrined inside, its amazing architectural structure, shining bright gold massive body, glazed plaques illustrating Jataka tales at the base sides of stupa are main attractions to be observed. Many stalls selling Thanakha (a bark of a tree to make Myanmar women's traditional make-up paste), Pone-ye-gyi (a local food- black bean paste) and other items can be seen along the stairway approaching to the pagoda. Lacquer waresworkshops scatter around old Bagan and Bagan Myothit (new Bagan). One can learn the process of making lacquer wares from bamboo skin to the various products and also do the shopping of beautiful souvenirs. mout popaSALAY(NEAR BAGAN) to add under the title of Bagan surrounding A small town about 15 km south of Bagan, down the Ayarwaddy River. U Pone Nya Museum, formerly the Yoke Sone Monastery, exhibits antique lacquerwares, wooden relieves and a large standing gilded Buddha image. The exterior is covered with wooden carved figures copied from Jataka (Buddhist Birth Story). Another place worth visiting is Tha-ta-na Kyaung (Keythar monastery) where Tipitaka texts are housed in a large red lacquered cabinet.
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#06-051, Bayint Naung Tower, Bayint
Naung Road, |
