New Bagan, Bagan Travel Guide

Discover New Bagan: Where Ancient History Meets Modern Comfort in Myanmar's Timeless Landscape

New Bagan, a captivating part of the ancient city of Bagan in Myanmar, is a treasure trove for tourists seeking both cultural immersion and modern comforts. Established in 1990, New Bagan was constructed to relocate villagers from the original Bagan archaeological zone. This has allowed New Bagan to flourish with a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary amenities, making it an attractive destination for both history buffs and leisure travelers. Strolling through New Bagan, you will encounter an array of traditional Burmese architecture, quaint local markets, and vibrant street life. The area is less crowded than Old Bagan, offering a more relaxed atmosphere while still providing easy access to the ancient temples and pagodas that the region is famous for. As you wander, you'll find numerous artisanal shops and workshops where you can observe local craftsmen creating beautiful lacquerware, a specialty of the area. For those looking to unwind, New Bagan offers a variety of comfortable accommodations ranging from budget-friendly guesthouses to upscale resorts. The culinary scene here is equally diverse, with a mix of local eateries serving traditional Burmese dishes and international restaurants that cater to all tastes. Evenings in New Bagan are particularly enchanting, with opportunities to enjoy cultural performances and riverside sunsets along the Irrawaddy River.

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring New Bagan.

Visit the local lacquerware workshops to buy authentic souvenirs and learn about this traditional craft.
Rent a bicycle to explore the quieter streets and nearby temples at your own pace.
Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, as the weather can get quite hot, especially in the afternoons.
Try the traditional Burmese dish 'mohinga' at one of the local eateries for an authentic culinary experience.
Catch the sunset by the Irrawaddy River for a truly memorable experience.

Explore New Bagan: Things to Do, Places to Eat, Hotels & More

Handpicked recommendations for top attractions, local dining, accommodations, and more

Best attractions in New Bagan

Top-rated picks

Best Attractions

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Shwesandaw Pagoda

Explore the iconic Shwesandaw Pagoda in Old Bagan, a stunning Buddhist temple known for its breathtaking views and rich cultural heritage.

4.5

Bagan Golden Palace

Discover the royal splendor of Bagan Golden Palace, a historical gem in Old Bagan showcasing ancient Myanmar's rich culture and architecture.

4.1

Gawdawpalin Temple

Explore the grandeur of Gawdawpalin Temple in Old Bagan, an architectural marvel with rich history and serene surroundings perfect for every traveler.

4.5

Mimalaung Kyaung

Immerse yourself in the rich spiritual heritage of Myanmar at Mimalaung Kyaung, a serene Buddhist temple in Old Bagan.

4.4

Best landmarks in New Bagan

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Best Landmarks

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Bagan Golden Palace

Discover the enchanting Bagan Golden Palace, a historical landmark in Old Bagan that showcases exquisite architecture and rich cultural heritage.

4.1

Old Bagan

Explore Old Bagan, Myanmar's ancient city of pagodas and temples, where history and breathtaking landscapes await every traveler.

4.8

Tharabar Gate သရပါတံခါး

Discover the historic Tharabar Gate, a stunning entryway to the ancient city of Bagan, where history and culture come alive amidst breathtaking landscapes.

4.4

Bagan Palace Ruins

Discover the majestic Bagan Palace Ruins, a historical landmark that showcases the rich heritage and architectural grandeur of ancient Myanmar.

3.9

Best restaurants in New Bagan

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7 Sisters Restaurant

Discover authentic Burmese flavors at 7 Sisters Restaurant in New Bagan - where every dish tells a story.

4.0

Black Rose

Discover the culinary delights at Black Rose in New Bagan—where traditional flavors meet modern dining.

4.1

Star Beam

Experience the flavors of Myanmar at Star Beam in New Bagan – where culinary tradition meets modern flair.

4.3

Elodie Restaurant

Discover the exquisite flavors of Myanmar at Elodie Restaurant in New Bagan—where tradition meets modern dining.

4.6

Best bars in New Bagan

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Star Beam

Discover the flavors of Myanmar at Star Beam, a delightful restaurant in New Bagan known for its cozy ambiance and exceptional cuisine.

4.3

HTI Bar & Restaurant

Discover HTI Bar & Restaurant: A vibrant fusion of local and international cuisine in Nyaung-U, perfect for unwinding after exploring Bagan's wonders.

4.4

Bagan Zay

Discover the vibrant ambiance of Bagan Zay, a local bar in Nyaung-U, perfect for relaxing with drinks after exploring Bagan's ancient wonders.

4.4

Erawati Raft

Experience the serene beauty of Old Bagan at Erawati Raft, a riverside bar where relaxation meets stunning views and vibrant local culture.

4.3

Best nightclubs in New Bagan

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Amata Garden Resort, Bagan

Discover the tranquil beauty of Amata Garden Resort in Old Bagan, where luxury meets the ancient wonders of Myanmar.

4.4

HTI Bar & Restaurant

Experience the vibrant atmosphere and delightful flavors at HTI Bar & Restaurant, your go-to spot in Nyaung-U for cocktails and gourmet dining.

4.4

Bagan Zay

Discover the vibrant nightlife at Bagan Zay, a local bar in Nyaung-U perfect for unwinding after exploring Bagan's ancient temples.

4.4

Erawati Raft

Experience tranquility at Erawati Raft, a riverside bar in Old Bagan offering drinks and stunning views of the Ayeyarwady River.

4.3

Best shops in New Bagan

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Best Shops

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ပုဂံအိမ်

Discover unique souvenirs and local art at Bagan House, a charming gift shop in New Bagan, reflecting the rich heritage of Myanmar.

4.2

Jasmine Family Lacquerware Workshop

Explore the rich tradition of lacquerware craftsmanship at Jasmine Family Lacquerware Workshop in Old Bagan, a must-visit for art enthusiasts.

4.7

Cake De Bagan

Explore the exquisite flavors of Cake De Bagan, a delightful bakery and café offering an array of divine pastries and ice creams in the heart of New Bagan.

4.4

Golden Cuckoo Lacquerware

Explore Golden Cuckoo Lacquerware in Myin Ka Bar for exquisite handcrafted items that embody the rich cultural heritage of Myanmar.

4.8

Explore New Bagan on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in New Bagan, mapped for you.

New Bagan Essentials

New Bagan is easily accessible from Old Bagan and Nyaung U. From Old Bagan, you can take a short bicycle ride or hire a local taxi, which typically costs around 3,000 to 5,000 kyats. The journey usually takes about 10-15 minutes. From Nyaung U, local buses and taxis are available, with prices ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 kyats and a travel time of approximately 20 minutes.
New Bagan is best explored on foot, by bicycle, or by electric scooter. Bicycle rentals are widely available for around 1,000 kyats per day. Electric scooters can be rented for approximately 8,000 kyats. Local taxis are also available for longer distances, but be sure to negotiate the fare in advance.
New Bagan is generally safe for tourists. However, exercise caution in less populated areas after dark. Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, can occur, so keep your belongings secure and stay vigilant, especially in crowded places. Avoid walking alone late at night, particularly off the main roads.
In case of emergencies, dial 192 for police assistance or visit the nearest hospital located in Nyaung U. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, local pharmacies are available in New Bagan for over-the-counter medications.
Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting pagodas. Avoid revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions; always remove your shoes before entering a pagoda. Public Transport: Do be respectful to fellow passengers, and don't expect to eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet locals with a smile and a slight bow. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes, but don't waste food, as it's considered disrespectful.
To experience New Bagan like a local, visit the local markets early in the morning for fresh produce and handicrafts. Engage with local artisans, many of whom are happy to share their craft. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a sunset at one of the nearby pagodas, which are less crowded than those in Old Bagan.
When visiting religious sites, it is important to show respect. Do not climb on or touch sacred images. Always ask for permission before taking photos of locals, and be mindful of personal space. Avoid discussing sensitive topics such as politics or religion unless the local initiates the conversation.
The best time to visit New Bagan is during the dry season, from November to February, when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Sunrise and sunset are particularly beautiful times to explore the archaeological sites, providing stunning views and fewer crowds.

With Eve

Useful Local Phrases for New Bagan

You don't need to speak the language perfectly. Even learning a few simple words can make conversations warmer—and locals usually appreciate the effort.

— Eve

6 phrase groups English + pronunciation

Here are the phrases I use most often in New Bagan. Try a few—you'll be surprised how far they go! 😊
❤️

- Helloမင်္ဂလာပါ
  [mingalabar]
- Goodbyeလျှောက်လုတ်ပါ
  [hlauk lut ba]
- Yesဟုတ်ကဲ့
  [hout gae]
- Noမဟုတ်ဘူး
  [ma hout bu]
- Please/You're welcomeကြောက်ဝဲ
  [kyaukway]
- Thank youကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ်
  [chay zu tin ba de]
- Excuse me/Sorryစောက်ထားသည်
  [saw ta sa ne]
- How are you?ဘယ်လိုင်းကြီးလဲ
  [be loon jee la]
- Fine. And you?လဲ နင့်ကြီးလဲ
  [la nang jee la]
- Do you speak English?အင်္ဂလိပ်လို့လဲ
  [ingalei lo la]
- I don't understandကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ်
  [nae phay ba de]
- I'd like to see the menu, pleaseမိုးမိုးဖန်းတုန်းကြည့်ရှုရန်
  [mui mui phan tun gyi yut yu]
- I don't eat meatငါ မဟုတ်ဘူးအသုံးပြုနေပါပြီ
  [nga ma hout bu a sone pru ne pa ri]
- Cheers!အိပ်သားပါ
  [aiksa ba]
- I would like to pay, pleaseငါကိုင်ထားကြည့်ရှုရန်
  [nga kohtar gyi yu]
- Help!ကူးနန်း
  [ku nan]
- Go away!လျှောက်သွား
  [hlauk swa]
- Call the Police!ရဲရေးထိုင်ခြင်း
  [yay toe htain kaung]
- Call a doctor!ဆရာဝန်အသိုး
  [sha ya wan a sone]
- I'm lostငါပြောင်းပြန်သွားပါပြီ
  [nga prawn pyan swa ba ri]
- I'm illငါကိုင်သမားပါပြီ
  [nga kohtar ma pa ri]
- I'd like to buy...ငါက ... ဝယ်ရန်ပါပြီ
  [nga ... wai yu pa ri]
- I'm just lookingငါသားချင်းကြည့်ပါပြီ
  [nga sa hkaing gyi pa ri]
- How much is it?အစားထိုးဘယ်လို့
  [a sa to bu lei]
- That's too expensiveဤနှစ်သည့်အစားထိုးပိုက်ချင်တယ်
  [in hnit ne a sa to bu pu hkaing de]
- Can you lower the price?စစ်ဆေးသွားပါပြီ
  [sashei swa ba ri]
- What time is it?ဘယ်နာရီလဲ
  [be na ri la]
- It's one o'clockတစ်နာရီလား
  [tay na ri la]
- Half past (10)ဆယ်စကား
  [hse sa ka]
- Morningနန်းကြီး
  [nan ji]
- Afternoonနေ့လက်
  [nei la]
- Eveningနော်ပတ်
  [naut pat]
- Yesterdayမနေ့
  [ma nei]
- Todayယနေ့
  [ya nei]
- Tomorrowမနက်
  [ma nek]
- 1တစ်
  [tay]
- 2နှစ်
  [hnay]
- 3သုံး
  [sone]
- 4လေး
  [lei]
- 5ငါး
  [nga]
- 6ခြောက်
  [khauk]
- 7ခွေး
  [hkwe]
- 8ရှေ့
  [hre]
- 9ကိုး
  [ko]
- 10ဆယ်
  [hse]
- Where's a/the...?... အလယ်
  [... a lay]
- What's the address?လိပ်စာဘယ်လို့
  [lip sa bu lei]
- Can you show me (on the map)?မြင်သွားနိုင်ရန်လို့
  [mwin swa nuing la]
- When's the next (bus)?နောက် ... မှာယာလို့
  [na ... ma ya lei]
- A ticket (to ....)... လိုင်း
  [... loon]

History of New Bagan

New Bagan was established in the 1990s as a response to the increasing number of tourists visiting the ancient city of Bagan, known for its vast expanse of temples and pagodas dating back to the 9th century. The government aimed to preserve the area's historical integrity while accommodating the growing tourism industry by creating this new settlement.
Since its establishment, New Bagan has developed into a vibrant community that reflects the cultural heritage of the Bagan region. The local population includes descendants of the original inhabitants of Bagan, and traditional crafts, such as lacquerware, are still practiced. The neighborhood has become a hub for artists and craftsmen, fostering a revival of local art forms.
As tourism surged in the early 21st century, New Bagan experienced significant infrastructure development, including hotels, restaurants, and shops. This growth has been accompanied by efforts to balance modern amenities with the preservation of Bagan's historical and cultural landscapes. The neighborhood serves as a gateway for visitors exploring the archaeological zone of Bagan.
With the increase in tourism and urban development, New Bagan has faced environmental challenges, particularly regarding the preservation of the ancient temples and the surrounding landscape. Initiatives have been introduced to promote sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that both the historical significance and natural beauty of the area are maintained.
New Bagan hosts various cultural events and festivals that celebrate the traditions of the region. These gatherings not only attract visitors but also foster a sense of community among residents. Events often include traditional music, dance performances, and local cuisine, showcasing the rich heritage of Bagan and its people.