The essential temples of Bagan
With more than 3000 temples and pagodas on the Bagan site, there is plenty to visit. A visit to Bagan for three or more days does not allow you to visit a good part of the site. So to focus on the “most seen” by visitors, here is a list of the must-see temples of Bagan (including pagodas).
To visit Bagan, you will not miss the temples because that is the main reason we come here. Discover the best temples!
Map of the must-see temples of Bagan
Shwezigon
Shwezigon Pagoda has a large golden bell-shaped stupa, located in Nyuang U. The pagoda was built in 1113. His stupa contains relics of Buddha: a bone and a tooth.
Gu Byauk Nge (Wet kyi inn)
The Gu Byauk Gyi Temple is located near the village of Wetkyi-In, which is located north of the Anawrhta road.
The temple faces east with a Sikhara, double vaulted rooms and a spiral staircase. He is famous for his frescoes.
Htilominlo Pahto
This temple is impressive to see from the outside with its terraced architecture. Inside we can see four Buddhas. The upper floors are not accessible.
Upali Thein
Upali Thein is an ordination hall that houses brightly coloured frescoes but you cannot enter it because it is closed to protect the paintings.
Ananda Pahto
Ananda is one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Bagan. It was dedicated to Buddha’s “infinite wisdom”. Its roof consists of six successive terraces dominated by an Indian-style sanctuary tower.
Thatbyinyu
It is the highest monument on the site with a height of nearly 65 metres. There is a large statue of Buddha sitting on the first floor. Its platform served as a monastery, the monks lived in the corridors.
Shwegugyi
This temple has a square plan. Its central pillar, not very thick, is hollowed out of 4 niches sheltering Buddha statues.
Mahabodi
It is a small-scale reproduction of the Mhabodhi Temple of Bodh-Gaya in India. It contains many statues of Buddha (450)
Bu Phaya
This small stupa is located on a hill overlooking the banks of the Irrawady River. Its base is narrow and the top swollen, decorated with leaves.
Gawdawpalin
It was the second largest temple in Bagan after the Thatbyinnyu that served as a model. It has two floors, with many terraces.
Mingalar Kyaung
A beautiful set of mythical animals, half lion and half dragon, that guard the stairs leading to a small square platform. On top of the platform, a tiered roofed sanctuary contains a large seated Buddha.
Pahto Thamya
Pahto Thamya
We come here to admire his paintings, perhaps the oldest in Bagan.
Nathlaung Kyaung
It is a Hindu temple (the last of the Bagan site). It is square in plan and small in size. Its central pillar was decorated with 4 large statues of Vishnu in stuccoed brick.
Gubyaykgyi Myinkabar
This temple is very popular for its frescoes inside. It is of the same Indian style as Mahabodhi
Manuha Paya
Manuha Paya is a Buddhist sanctuary. It is a rectangular brick building, in the Môn style, with three statues of seated Buddha.
Nan Phaya
Nan phaya
Nan Phaya is a Hindu sanctuary built of brick with a sandstone facing and a square plan construction. Môn-style screen windows and three windows at the base of the Sikhara illuminate the interior.
Dhammayangyi Pahto
It is the best preserved temple in Bagan but it is known for its cruel history. Legend has it that King Narathu built the temple to atone for his sins: he choked his father and brother to death and executed one of his wives, an Indian princess, for performing Hindu rituals.
Sulamani Pahto
This temple is built of bricks. Its interior features frescoes. It is one of the most beautiful temples in Bagan.
Pahtothamya
This temple is interesting to visit for its interior passages of superb paintings that impress by their size, the images of the Buddha are of human size
Shwe San Daw
Shwesandaw
This pagoda was built to shelter the Buddha’s hair donated by the Pegou Mon after his victory over another of their capitals, Thaton.
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