Bagan is one of those places in the world travelers really should find the time and means to experience. The sheer volume of temples is enough to inspire a visit. Numbering more than 4000, the temples range from small crumbling stupas scattered on farms to beautifully maintained or refurbished active temples.
Unless you plan to stay for weeks to explore you have to pick and choose. We began with the centerpiece of Old Bagan - Ananda Pahto. It is over 900 years old and soars 170 feet into the sky. The profile reveals a central, golden, corncob-shaped tower, flanked at the corners by four bright red pinnacles. The temple boasts a Greek cross plan, built of white-grey sandstone with lower levels lavishly decorated by colored, glazed tiles. Facing outward from each side of the square interior shrine are four 31-foot tall standing Buddha statues. Nearby is the equally pleasing Khay Min Gha Phaya with its many spires. We also visited: Shwe Zigon Zeti, a round Shwedegon-like golden stupa temple.
Manucha Phaya with its three tightly wedged, seated Buddha statues.
Thatbyinnyu - Bagan’s tallest pagoda.
The massive, pyramid style Dhammayangyi Pahto.
For sunset - Shwesandaw Phaya.
Other Bagan highlights:
