7 Best Ways to See the Temples of Bagan, Myanmar
Find out how to see the thousands of ancient temples in Bagan, from the fabulous hot air balloon ride to my favorite – renting an e-bike for a self-guided tour!
Bagan, Myanmar – also known as Burma – is set along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River in the heart of Myanmar and famous for the thousands of temples, stupas, and pagodas that dot its otherwise barren landscape. This makes it a popular place in Myanmar for tourists to visit, and I must say its 100% worth a visit.
Boasting a history that dates back over a millennium, Bagan served as the capital of the powerful Pagan Kingdom from the 9th to the 13th centuries. During this golden era, thousands of temples, stupas, and pagodas were erected across the plains. This mesmerizing skyline has since become iconic.
Today, these architectural wonders—more than 2,000 of them—still dot the landscape. Each one offers unique architecture, carvings, and frescoes showcasing a fusion of Indian, Mon, and Burmese architectural influences. The sheer size of this ancient city, combined with the awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets, is well worth the hassle to get there.
So once you’ve reached the city, how do you explore the many temples of Bagan? In this post, we’ll dive deeper into the best ways to see Bagan and its amazing landscape full of temples, stupas, and pagodas.
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Best Ways to See Bagan’s Temples
One of the most amazing places in the world is Bagan with its thousands of temples, pagodas, and stupas. Unfortunately, they are spread out quite a bit and you’ll need a plan of how to see the temples in Bagan. Here are seven ways to see them, learn about them, and enjoy them.
Fun Fact: Do you know the difference between a temple, pagoda, and stupa? Apparently, temples and pagodas are interchangeable terms both equating to a building that you can go into to pray, generally featuring a Buddha statue. A stupa does not have an entrance and is just a solid structure.
1. Do a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Bagan
The most popular way to see Bagan is via hot air balloon at sunrise. This is the best way to see just how grandiose the area is with a birds-eye view of thousands of temples, stupas, and pagodas stretching across the plains.
While sunrise hot air balloon rides started at over $300 USD when I was there, there are some more affordable options now. Check out the popular Golden Eagle Ballooning in Bagan or Balloons Over Bagan to book your flight!
2. Rent an E-bike or Bicycle in Bagan
One of the best ways to explore Bagan on land is on two wheels with an e-bike or bicycle. You can typically rent one on your own or do a bike tour through Bagan’s archaeological zone. I personally loved renting an e-bike to navigate the area on my own at my own pace.
One of the fun things I learned is that it is illegal for tourists to use motorbikes (due to the many closed off parts of Myanmar) so they rent e-bikes to visitors. The cost to rent an e-bike in Bagan was between 5,000 – 10,000 kyat based on size, power, and rental place. Ultimately, I found the e-bike super easy to drive and the small one I had only went about 30km/hour.
Helpful Tips for Renting an E-bike in Bagan
- Many of the roads in Bagan are paved but then break away into dirt or sand paths to get to the temples. Riding an e-bike over soft sand can be challenging and dangerous due to the risk of the bike sliding. Drive slowly and carefully!
- E-bikes only hold a charge for so long. If you choose to rent one, make sure to take the phone number of the company you rented from with you in case it dies along the way. Any restaurant or tourist shop can call the company. They will then come and either bring you a new bike or battery. Trust me – I had to do just this!
3. Take a Guided Tour of Bagan’s Temples
Another way to make the most of your sightseeing in Bagan is to take a guided tour and enjoy the added expertise of a local guide. They help you understand the rich history and culture that makes up the thousands of temples in Myanmar as well as leading you through the very best Bagan temples where you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate carvings and symbolic imagery.
If you’re looking for a guided tour, I highly recommend checking out this one day tour of Bagan. Your licensed guide will take you to the best locations for sunset, sunrise, while avoiding the crowds and maximizing your time in Bagan.
4. Admire Sunrise and Sunset Viewpoints
One of the best things to do in Bagan is to catch the sunrise and sunset over the many pagodas, temples, and stupas. One of the most iconic viewpoints is at Shwesandaw Pagoda. In order to make the most of sunrise, you’ll need to arrive in the pre-dawn darkness.
After removing shoes, head up to an unclaimed spot on the edge and wait for the sun to rise. There’s something amazing about the Bagan temples being slowly revealed for the first time at sunrise. To make it even more perfect, shortly after the light appears over the horizon dozens of hot air balloons lift into the air.
Since it’s so quiet at dawn, you can typically hear the hot air balloons as they sail over you. Once they have disappeared into the distance it’s time to shimmy back down and start your day’s adventures.
For sunset, you can return to Shwesandaw Pagoda or select a new spot that you’ve found throughout the day. Make sure to arrive early to secure a good spot. As the sun dips below the horizon, the temples of Bagan cast long shadows that make for great photos and even better memories.
5. Do a Horse Cart Tour of the Temples of Bagan
Another classic way to see Bagan is to take a horse-drawn cart tour through Bagan’s ancient temples. The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves adds a nostalgic soundtrack as you travel past each temple. This traditional mode of transport provides a more relaxed journey for those who are tired of walking and biking around Bagan.
6. Visit the Archaeological Museum
Another way to learn about the temples in Burma is at the Bagan Archaeological Museum. Here there are artifacts, sculptures, and relics that offer a glimpse into the area’s past. The museum helps provide context to the temples you’ll be exploring while showcasing the evolution of Bagan from a powerful kingdom to a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Archaeological Museum also offers closer looks at intricate sculptures, ancient manuscripts, and archaeological finds that show some of the best of Bagan. It’s a great way to take a break from exploring these famous Myanmar temples and spend some time educating yourself about the region.
7. Enjoy a Sunset River Cruise
Last but not least, you can experience Bagan from a different perspective with a sunset river cruise along the Ayeyarwady. Here you’ll drift down the river while watching the sun dip below the horizon. It offers the unique opportunity to see the temples of Bagan that line the riverbanks.
Best of all? The reflective surface of the river mirrors the ancient structures. This makes it extra picturesque and peaceful. I recommend keeping this experience for your last evening in Bagan to close out your time in this amazing city.
Another awesome choice? Take a river cruise from Bagan to Mandalay. It’s the best way to travel from one to the other!
Top 10 Temples in Bagan
If you’ve decided to rent a bike or e-bike to go temple-hopping in Bagan on your own, rather than a tour, don’t worry. While there is a lot of ground to cover, you will not be able to cover all of it, so you’ll just have to have a plan. I recommend you start with some of the larger temples further away and work your way back to New Bagan.
To help you focus your time, here are my favorite temples in Bagan that I recommend looking up and bookmarking on your map so that you don’t miss them. They aren’t in any particular order, but I would try to find them all!
- Shwezigon Pagoda: Its golden stupa and sacred shrines showcase Myanmar’s religious heritage.
- Htilominlo Temple: This temple is three stories tall and known for its elaborate plaster moldings.
- Ananda Temple: This Bagan temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Bagan and a perfect example of different architectural influences coming together.
- Thatbyinyu Temple: This is the tallest temple in Bagan at five stories tall.
- Shwegugyi Temple: This Bagan temple is best known for its arched windows and carved wooden doors.
- Shwesandaw Pagoda: The most famous view of Bagan is from here, and it a great sunrise/sunset location.
- Sulamani Temple: This is considered one of the prettiest temples in Bagan.
- Nandamannya Temple: This temple features amazing frescoes.
- Dhammayangyi Temple: This is the largest of the temples in Bagan and one of the better preserved temples.
- Nanpaya Temple: It has some of the most ornate sandstone brick work in Bagan with intricate carvings of Brahma.
While these main temples may be more iconic, you’ll also want to visit some of the smaller temples you pass along the way as they can offer a more intimate experience away from crowds. Find a new favorite? Let me know in the comments!
Tips for Temple-hopping in Bagan
Planning your time in Bagan can be a bit overwhelming with such a large area to cover and thousands of temples, stupas, and pagodas to explore. To make your trip go smoothly, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- What to Wear in Bagan: Bagan is a place of deep religious and cultural significance. When exploring the temples of Bagan, dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees, and always remove your shoes before entering religious sites.
- Be Mindful of Temple Etiquette: Keep your noise levels down and avoid climbing on fragile structures or touching the ancient murals and carvings. Follow any posted guidelines at each temple to preserve the cultural heritage and have a respectful visit.
- Keep Your Entrance Ticket Handy: Be aware of the entry fees to the Bagan Archaeological Zone, and keep your ticket with you as you may be asked to present it at various temples. The revenue generated contributes to the preservation and maintenance of these ancient sites. On the way into Bagan you have to pay a 25,000 kyat entrance fee which covers the whole area.
- Avoid Temple Fatigue: You need about two days to explore the Bagan temples before you’ll start to suffer from temple fatigue and the grand temples will start to be less impressive. To avoid this, break up your visit by enjoying the other things to do in Bagan. These include touring the Kyat Kan Cave Monastery, which is still used to this day and is easy to get to, climbing the Bagan Nan Myint Tower Government Tower.
Explore More of Myanmar
Explore the best of Myanmar with the famous temples of Bagan. In fact, it’s possible that Bagan is what first attracted you to Myanmar. Whatever brought you here you’ll be happy to know that it is just as amazing as you might of thought.
Soar over the landscape dotted with temples. Take in those sunrise views. Pay attention to the details at each of the temples you visit. It is a bucket list destination and you’ll soon to telling friends and family how they must go visit the temples in Bagan, Myanmar!
Learn more about visiting Burma with these helpful resources:
- 11 Best Places to Visit in Myanmar
- Travel Guide for Inle Lake: Best Things to Do in Inle Lake & More!
- How to Budget for a Trip to Myanmar: 24 Helpful Tips
- 3 Day Hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake
- A Quick Visit to Mandalay to Explore the Top Sights of the City
- Visiting Yangon: The Impressive City Formerly Known as Rangoon
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