Myanmar / Bagan / UNESCO

8 Photographs that illustrate why I love Bagan | Myanmar

By Marky Ramone Go • February 2021

As a traveler, I strive to take trips to locations I've never been to before. This rule, nevertheless, comes with a few exceptions. Bagan, Myanmar, was one of the places I returned to sooner than I expected. After my first trip there in March 2013, I always felt like I had unfinished business after returning home. This is why, exactly three years later, I set out on another journey to this ancient city. This time around, I arrived as a lone tourist armed with more days to explore this historic city teeming with centuries-old temples and pagodas.

Bagan temples and pagodas ancient archaeological zone Mandalay region Myanmar — The archaeological wonders of the Pagan Kingdom

Riding an electric bike in the hot sun of March, I traveled far and wide, capturing magnificent images of the millennia-old ruins of the Pagan Kingdom. Much of my time here was spent marveling at the magnificent and timeless vibe that persisted in this city, populated by some of the warmest and nicest individuals I've encountered. All of it added up to yet another unforgettable collective incursion into this city.

By taking off-the-beaten-path routes, I was able to see some of the most obscure temples and pagodas while covering more land than on my last trip. Bagan is an iconic historic city in Myanmar's Mandalay Region. The ruins that today rest scattered across its golden, powdery plains are from kingdoms that existed from the ninth century until the thirteenth century. At the time, it served as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom—the first kingdom to unite all of Myanmar under one control. More than ten thousand Buddhist pagodas, monasteries, and temples were erected on the immense Bagan plains during the sovereignty of this dynasty. Over 2,200 pagodas and temples still survive today as majestic ruins and a striking reminder of that illustrious history.

Slowly opening up to tourists, Myanmar has managed to position the Bagan Archaeological Zone as its principal visitor draw and is now regarded by many as equivalent to Cambodia's Angkor Wat complex. As an old-city junkie, I can state that Bagan can hold a candle to any other destination on its own by possessing a powerful magnetism that appeals to people like me seeking historic ruins with breathtaking landscapes to photograph.

To let the images speak for themselves, here are some more photographs that best exemplify Bagan as a place of timeless beauty.

Bagan sunset silhouette temples pagodas archaeological plains Myanmar — The towering pagodas and temples serve as a lovely foreground to the flaming setting sun on the horizon, elevating the Bagan sunset to a new level of visual delight.

Bagan sunrise hot air balloons temples pagodas plains Myanmar — Equally spellbinding is the sunrise that rises among the many high-rise temples and pagodas.

Bagan locals traditional burmese clothing thanaka face paste Myanmar — The locals, who frequently wear colorful traditional-styled attire while covering their faces with thanaka, offer excellent photographic subjects.

Buddhist novice monks red robes walking ancient Bagan temples Myanmar — Young monks could be seen strolling around in their bright red robes. Friendly, pleasant, and already committed to a life of devotion.

Ancient Pagan Kingdom Buddhist monasteries architecture landscape Bagan Myanmar — Numerous relics of temples, monasteries, and pagodas that still exist as far as the eye can see.

Traditional horse drawn carriage transport route Old Bagan plains Myanmar — Horse-drawn carriages provide visitors with a look into the ancient city's motorized-free environment.

Local burmese girl selling traditional Bagan sand paintings Myanmar — A young girl selling sand paintings: A conversation in English and an exchange of creativity.

These are just a few of the photos I wanted people to see whenever they asked why I went back to Myanmar. I traveled from Bagan to Mandalay and then returned to Yangon. Two weeks was a short time to truly absorb Bagan and the rest of this lovely nation; perhaps after reading this article, you will be motivated to travel to Myanmar and see the timeless old city of Bagan.