The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Bagan Temples

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Bagan Temples, Myanmar

Discovering Bagan Temples is the best thing to do in Myanmar. It is one of the most important monuments in Southeast Asia, like the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia and the Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Plan your Myanmar Itinerary to spend at least 3 days in the ancient city of Bagan and explore the most beautiful temples, pagodas, and stupas.

This ultimate guide to visiting Bagan Temples includes the best time to visit, how to get there, practical information, and the entrance fee.

Where are the Temples of Bagan?

Bagan is an ancient city in the Mandalay region of Myanmar.

Did you know that Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Bagan Temples History

The ancient city, previously known as Pagan, was built from the 9th to 13th centuries and was home to more than 10,000 beautiful temples in Bagan.

Many of Bagan’s temples were damaged or destroyed by earthquakes, and only around 2,200 remain in its 104 square kilometers.

Best Time to Visit Bagan Temples

Bagan has a tropical monsoon climate. The average daytime temperature is 30°C and 14°C at night.

The best time to visit Bagan is from November to February.

During this period, rain is unlikely, and temperatures are a little cold but comfortable for visiting the most beautiful temples.

The rainy season runs from June to October when there are heavy rains. The hottest months are from March to May.

TIP
Use sunscreen, bring plenty of water, and wear a hat because there is little shade.

How to Get to Bagan Temples, Myanmar

You can get to Bagan by bus, train, or a short flight.
Bagan is located 9 hours from Yangon, 4 hours from Mandalay, and 7 hours from Inle Lake (depending on traffic).

There are no direct flights to Bagan, so you must fly first to Yangon or Mandalay and then to Nyaung-U Airport (airport code NYU).

Good to know
In Myanmar, we don’t recommend traveling by train within the country! Although it is the cheapest way to travel, buses are much faster.

From Yangon to Bagan

From Yangon, we took the JJ Express night bus to Bagan. The overnight bus ride is a great way to save money on your trip to Myanmar.

The journey takes 10 hours, and bus tickets start from 15 USD per person.

Yangon is about a 1.5-hour flight from Nyaung-U, the nearest airport to Bagan.

TIP
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Myanmar.

How to Get Around Bagan Temples

The best way to explore Bagan is to rent an e-bike or bicycle. Another alternative is to take a taxi or horse-drawn carriage.

• Bicycles are the cheapest way to get around as you can rent a bike for 1-2 USD daily.
• The e-bike costs 4-6 USD per day and can be rented in almost all hotels and guesthouses.

As the weather is hot during the day, we recommend exploring the temples from sunrise to noon and after returning to your accommodation to relax or chill at one of the restaurants.

After 4 PM, go out again and explore the area and see the beautiful sunset.

Good to know
Most accommodation offers free Bagan Temples map for guests. We recommend asking the locals which pagodas you should not miss.

Bagan Archeological Zone Ticket

All visitors must buy a ticket to visit the Bagan Temples. Entrance to the Bagan Archaeological Zone ticket costs 25.000 MMK (12 USD) per person and is valid for 3 days.

Don’t lose your pass, or you’ll have to buy another one! The ticket is randomly checked at the temples, so always keep it with you!

You can purchase tickets at Nyaung-U Airport or before entering Bagan Archaeological Zone. Buses usually stop at the checkpoint where you can buy tickets.

See also  → Angkor Wat Guide

Best things to do in Bagan, Myanmar

1. Catch the Sunrise at the Bagan Temples

Wake up early and start your Bagan itinerary with a magical sunrise. The beautiful sunrise colors provide the best photo spots in Bagan.

If you spend 3-nights in Bagan, you can watch at least two sunrise and sunset, which is one of the best things to do in Bagan.

Good to know
Although you can no longer climb the Bagan Temples, you can still enjoy the view, especially at sunrise with the hot air balloons flying.

2. Visit the Best Bagan Temples

The temples of Bagan are some of the most famous historical monuments in Southeast Asia, like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Ayutthaya in Thailand, and Borobudur Temple in Indonesia.

Bagan is home to many beautiful temples, stupas, and pagodas, so you could spend several days exploring.

10 most beautiful temples in Bagan

• Dhammayangyi Temple
• Ananda Temple
• Shwedagon Pagoda
• Dhammayazaka Pagoda
• Shwesandaw Pagoda
• Gawdawpalin Temple
• Thatbyinnyu Phaya
• Sulamani Temple
• Htilominlo Pahto
• Bulethi Pagoda

3. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Bagan

Experience Bagan from a new perspective and enjoy magical views over the pagodas.

The Bagan hot air balloon season runs from October to mid-April.

Balloon rides depart before sunrise, and a 45-minute hot air balloon flight starts from 350 USD per person, depending on the season.

It is worth booking well in advance for lower prices, especially during the holiday season, such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

TIP
Bring warm clothes as it gets cold in the morning.

4. Discover the Pagodas

Some temples and pagodas are available to enter, and you can see some wonderful Buddha statues and mural paintings.

Bagan is known for its artworks and local handicrafts, so it’s a perfect place in Myanmar to buy souvenirs.

Good to know
Around the pagodas, you will find many local vendors.

5. Enjoy your Stay in Bagan

Take a short trip to the Bagan Archaeological Museum, try Myanmar’s traditional dishes, visit Minnanthu village, or take a sunset boat trip on the Irrawaddy River.

What to Wear when Visiting Bagan Temples?

When visiting the pagodas, you should wear respectful clothing covering the knees and shoulders.

The traditional Burmese man dress is the longyi, which you can buy or rent at most temples.

You should wear flip-flops or sandals, as you’ll need to take off your shoes and socks every time you enter the temples in Bagan.

Another Beautiful Temple Complex → Prambanan, Indonesia

TIP
Women are suggested to carry a light sarong that they can always put on their shoulders.

Where to Stay near Bagan Temples

Bagan has three main areas: Old Bagan, New Bagan, and Nyaung-U.

• Old Bagan has the most expensive accommodations but is the best base for exploring the temples. Backpackers and budget travelers will find cheaper options in Nyaung-U or New Bagan, located just 30 minutes away by e-bike.
• Nyaung-U is the largest city and transport hub in the area. The airport and train station are close, and buses leave from Nyaung-U to other cities in Myanmar, such as Yangon, Mandalay, or Inle-Lake.

Good to know
Hotels and guesthouses in Bagan cost an average of around 20-40 USD/night, depending on the season.

Is it Safe to Travel to Bagan Temples?

Bagan is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can occur everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

Good to know
Currently, travel to Myanmar should be avoided due to the risk of politically motivated violence and civil unrest!

Can I Climb the Bagan Temples

When we were in Bagan, it was still allowed. But nowadays, it is forbidden to climb to the top of pagodas!

The earthquakes damaged the supporting structures of many temples, making them unsafe to climb or causing further damage to the temples by tourists.

There are two opportunities to enjoy the view of the Bagan Temples from above.

One alternative is to take a hot air balloon tour at sunrise or visit the Bagan Viewing Tower (Bagan Nan Myint Tower).

How Many Days do you Need in Bagan?

Depending on how many days you will be in Myanmar, plan your trip to spend at least 3 days in Bagan if you want to visit the temples at your more comfortable pace.

Cycling or e-biking can be tiring in hot weather, so it’s worth taking the extra time to explore Bagan.

We hope our ultimate guide to visiting Bagan Temples will inspire you to visit Myanmar. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.