Old Bagan, Bagan Travel Guide

Explore the ancient wonders of Old Bagan, Myanmar's historic gem, where thousands of temples and vibrant local culture await to captivate your senses.

Old Bagan, located in the heart of Myanmar, is a treasure trove of ancient temples and stunning landscapes. As one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, Old Bagan offers visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the region's rich history and cultural heritage. The area is dotted with thousands of pagodas, stupas, and temples, each telling a unique story of the past. Visitors can explore the magnificent Ananda Temple, renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings. The Shwesandaw Pagoda provides breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Bagan plain, especially during sunrise and sunset. For a more immersive experience, consider renting a bicycle or an electric scooter to traverse the dusty paths and discover hidden gems at your own pace. Old Bagan is not just about ancient structures; it also offers a vibrant local culture. The bustling Nyaung U Market is a must-visit for those who want to experience the local way of life. Here, you can find everything from fresh produce to traditional handicrafts. Don't forget to try some local delicacies and interact with the friendly locals who are always eager to share their stories. For a serene end to your day, take a boat ride along the Irrawaddy River. The tranquil waters and scenic views provide a perfect backdrop for reflection and relaxation. Whether you are an avid history buff or simply looking for a unique travel experience, Old Bagan promises to enchant and inspire.

From Eve

Know before you go

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

Visit the temples early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds.
Rent an electric scooter for a convenient and eco-friendly way to explore the area.
Dress modestly when visiting temples; shoulders and knees should be covered.
Carry plenty of water and sunscreen, as the area can get quite hot during the day.
Hire a local guide for a more in-depth understanding of the history and significance of the temples.

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

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

Best attractions in Old Bagan

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Best Attractions

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Bupaya

Experience the enchanting beauty of Bupaya, an ancient pagoda in Old Bagan, offering stunning views and a glimpse into Myanmar's rich heritage.

4.4

Bagan Archaeological Museum

Uncover the rich heritage of Myanmar at the Bagan Archaeological Museum, home to a stunning collection of ancient artifacts and historical treasures.

4.2

Shwe Gu Gyi Temple

Explore the serene Shwe Gu Gyi Temple in Old Bagan, a stunning Buddhist landmark rich in history and tranquility.

4.5

Maha Bodhi Phaya

Discover the captivating Maha Bodhi Phaya, a stunning Buddhist temple in Old Bagan, where history and spirituality intertwine in serene beauty.

4.3

Best landmarks in Old Bagan

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That Bin Nyu Temple

Discover the architectural beauty and spiritual significance of That Bin Nyu Temple, a gem in Old Bagan's rich cultural landscape.

4.5

Shwesandaw Pagoda

Discover the enchanting Shwesandaw Pagoda in Old Bagan, a breathtaking Buddhist temple with stunning architecture and panoramic views of ancient Bagan.

4.5

Bagan Golden Palace

Explore the breathtaking Bagan Golden Palace, a historical landmark in Old Bagan that showcases Myanmar's rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture.

4.1

Gawdawpalin Temple

Explore the awe-inspiring Gawdawpalin Temple in Old Bagan, a masterpiece of ancient architecture and a spiritual haven for travelers.

4.5

Best restaurants in Old Bagan

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Star Beam

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine at Star Beam in New Bagan – where every dish tells a story!

4.3

Elodie Restaurant

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine at Elodie Restaurant in New Bagan, where tradition meets modern taste in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

4.6

Mi San Restaurant

Experience authentic Myanmar cuisine at Mi San Restaurant in Old Bagan—delicious food and affordable prices await every traveler.

4.5

Great One Reastaurnt

Experience authentic Myanmar cuisine at Great One Restaurant in Nyaung-U - a perfect blend of local flavors and warm hospitality.

4.7

Best bars in Old Bagan

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HTI Bar & Restaurant

Experience the vibrant flavors and lively atmosphere at HTI Bar & Restaurant in Nyaung-U, a perfect spot for tourists to relax and enjoy local cuisine.

4.4

Bagan Zay

Discover the vibrant nightlife of Bagan Zay, a lively bar in Nyaung-U that welcomes travelers with local drinks and a friendly atmosphere.

4.4

Erawati Raft

Experience the tranquil beauty of Old Bagan at Erawati Raft, a unique riverside bar offering stunning views and refreshing drinks.

4.3

အညာထန်းရိပ်

Discover the lively atmosphere of အညာထန်းရိပ် in New Bagan, where local culture and refreshing drinks meet.

4.1

Best nightclubs in Old Bagan

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HTI Bar & Restaurant

Experience a delightful fusion of local and international cuisines at HTI Bar & Restaurant, a culinary hotspot in Nyaung-U, Myanmar.

4.4

Bagan Zay

Experience the vibrant nightlife at Bagan Zay, a lively bar in Nyaung-U, offering local drinks and a warm atmosphere to unwind after exploring Bagan.

4.4

Erawati Raft

Discover a serene floating bar experience on the Ayeyarwady River, perfect for relaxation and breathtaking views in Old Bagan.

4.3

အညာထန်းရိပ်

Experience the vibrant nightlife at အညာထန်းရိပ်, a lively bar in New Bagan, offering an eclectic drink menu and local music.

4.1

Best shops in Old Bagan

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Souvenir Shops

Discover the unique charm of Old Bagan's souvenir shops, filled with handcrafted treasures and local artistry that capture the spirit of this ancient city.

1.0

A Hla Kyi Myanmar Thanakha

Explore the heart of Bagan's culture with unique souvenirs at A Hla Kyi Myanmar Thanakha, your destination for authentic local craftsmanship.

Myat Hmue store

Discover local flavors and essentials at Myat Hmue Store in Old Bagan, the perfect convenience stop for travelers exploring ancient wonders.

Quality Bagan Shop

Discover unique souvenirs and local crafts at Quality Bagan Shop in Old Bagan, a must-visit for every traveler seeking authentic Myanmar treasures.

Explore Old Bagan on the Map

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

Old Bagan Essentials

Old Bagan is accessible from various neighborhoods in Bagan. If you are coming from New Bagan, you can take a short taxi ride or rent an electric bike, which takes around 10-15 minutes. If you are arriving from the airport, taxis are available to take you directly to Old Bagan, typically taking about 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Old Bagan is best explored on foot, by bicycle, or by electric scooter, allowing you to enjoy the stunning temples and pagodas at your own pace. Bicycle rentals are widely available, and there are designated paths for easier navigation. Local taxis can also be hired for longer distances, although many areas are walkable.
Old Bagan is generally safe for tourists, but it is wise to take standard precautions. Avoid wandering alone at night, especially in less populated areas. While serious crimes against tourists are rare, petty theft can occur, particularly around crowded sites. Be cautious of your belongings and avoid displaying valuables.
In case of an emergency, dial 192 for the police or 199 for medical assistance. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. There are local clinics in Bagan, and pharmacies are available for minor health issues. Familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest medical facility upon arrival.
Fashion: Do dress modestly, particularly when visiting temples; avoid shorts and sleeveless tops. Religion: Do respect local customs; remove your shoes before entering pagodas. Public Transport: Do be patient and respectful; don’t engage in loud conversations. Greetings: Do greet locals with a smile and a nod; a handshake is also acceptable. Eating & Drinking: Do try local cuisine and drink plenty of water; don’t eat in sacred areas or litter.
To experience Old Bagan like a local, consider hiring a guide for a deeper understanding of the temple complex's history. Visit the local markets for fresh produce and handmade crafts. Attend a sunrise or sunset viewing at a pagoda for breathtaking scenery without the crowds. Engage with local artisans, who are often eager to share their stories and crafts.

With Eve

Useful Local Phrases for Old 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 Old Bagan. Try a few—you'll be surprised how far they go! 😊
❤️

- Helloမင်္ဂလာပါ
  [mingalarbar]
- Goodbyeသွားပါ
  [swarrpar]
- Yesဟုတ်ပါ
  [hoatpar]
- Noမဟုတ်ပါ
  [ma hoatpar]
- Please/You're welcomeကျေးဇူးပါရှင်
  [kyei zu ba shin]
- Thank youကျေးဇူးပါ
  [kyei zu ba]
- Excuse me/Sorryစောက်ရှင်ကြီး
  [saw ba shin dji]
- How are you?ဘယ်ဘက်လဲခင်ဗျာ
  [be ba let kan pya]
- Fine. And you?အဲ့နဲ့ကြီးလဲ
  [eh ne dji le]
- Do you speak English?အဂၤလိပ်ထွက်လဲခင်ဗျာ
  [a gu leht kwat kan pya]
- I don't understandအဲ့မှာကြီးလဲ
  [eh ma dji le]
- I'd like to see the menu, pleaseမီနူးကြည့်တယ်
  [menu gwe tay]
- I don't eat meatငါမတော်ကြည့်တယ်
  [nga ma tau gwe tay]
- Cheers!သွားပါ
  [swarrpar]
- I would like to pay, pleaseငါပေးခဲ့တယ်
  [nga pe hte tay]
- Help!ဘားကြီး
  [bha dji]
- Go away!ချက်ကြီး
  [chay dji]
- Call the Police!ရတနာန်းလဲ
  [ya ta na lamya]
- Call a doctor!အဆူချက်
  [a su chay]
- I'm lostငါမှာကြီး
  [nga ma dji]
- I'm illငါနားကြီး
  [nga na dji]
- I'd like to buy...ငါဝယ်လို့ရယ်
  [nga wai lo yae]
- I'm just lookingငါရယ်ကြည့်ရယ်
  [nga yae gwe yae]
- How much is it?ဒီလာထဲကြည့်ရ
  [di la hte gwe]
- That's too expensiveဤလာမကိုကြည့်ရ
  [i la ma kwe]
- Can you lower the price?ငယ်တော့တဲ့ကြည့်ရ
  [nga tau te gwe]
- What time is it?ဘယ်ချိုင်းလဲခင်ဗျာ
  [be chone let kan pya]
- It's one o'clockတစ်ချိုင်း
  [tachone]
- Half past (10)ဆယ်ဆယ်
  [say say]
- Morningနန်းကြီး
  [nan dji]
- Afternoonညန်းကြီး
  [nya nan dji]
- Eveningညန်းလွန်း
  [nya lwan nan]
- Yesterdayမနေ့လွန်း
  [mane lwan nan]
- Todayယနေ့
  [yaney]
- Tomorrowမနက်ခင်
  [man khan]
- 1တစ်
  [tachone]
- 2နှစ်
  [hna chone]
- 3သုံး
  [sone]
- 4လေး
  [lay]
- 5ငါး
  [nga]
- 6ခြောက်
  [chauk]
- 7ခွေး
  [kau]
- 8ရှေ့
  [yey]
- 9ကိုး
  [ko]
- 10ဆယ်
  [say]
- Where's a/the...?ဘားမှာလဲ...?
  [bha ma le...]
- What's the address?လိပ်စာလဲခင်ဗျာ?
  [leiksa le kan pya?]
- Can you show me (on the map)?ငါကျောက်ပို့ရယ်လဲ
  [nga kau pyu yae le]
- When's the next (bus)?နောက်ကြီးလဲခင်ဗျာ?
  [nak dji le kan pya?]
- A ticket (to ....)လိုင်းစာ
  [loangsa]

History of Old Bagan

Bagan, formerly known as Pagan, was founded in the 9th century as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom. Old Bagan served as the heart of this kingdom, where the first monarchs established their rule and began the construction of temples and pagodas that would later define the skyline of the region. The introduction of Theravada Buddhism during this time greatly influenced the cultural and architectural landscape.
The 11th to 13th centuries marked the apex of Bagan's power and influence. King Anawrahta, who reigned from 1044 to 1077, played a pivotal role in the expansion of the kingdom and the construction of significant monuments in Old Bagan, including the iconic Ananda Temple, which remains a masterpiece of early Bagan architecture. This era is characterized by the prolific building of thousands of temples, reflecting the kingdom's wealth and devotion to Buddhism.
In the late 13th century, the Mongol invasions led to significant upheaval in Bagan. By 1287, the city faced destruction and loss of power, resulting in a decline of the once-thriving kingdom. Many temples fell into disrepair, and the population decreased as people fled from the invading forces. The legacy of this period is still visible in the ruins that dot the landscape of Old Bagan.
During the British colonial period in the 19th century, Bagan became a site of archaeological interest. British explorers and archaeologists began formal documentation of the temples and pagodas, leading to early conservation efforts. This attention brought a renewed understanding of Bagan's historical significance, although many structures faced neglect due to lack of local governance.
The 20th and 21st centuries brought both challenges and revitalization to Old Bagan. The devastating earthquake in 1975 caused significant damage to many temples, prompting international efforts for their restoration. UNESCO's designation of Bagan as a World Heritage site in 2019 has further highlighted the importance of preserving this cultural treasure, fostering a blend of tourism and conservation aimed at protecting Old Bagan's rich heritage.