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Why Bagan
is special
Bagan (formerly Pagan) was built from the mid-11th to near the
end of the 13th centuries, when it was overrun by Kublai Khan's
invading forces. In its glory days, Bagan was a major religious
center and a thriving city of at least 300,000 people along the
banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River.
The people erected over 10,000 pagodas and monasteries. Today
some 2,000 still stand. The rest suffered chiefly from human
neglect and earthquakes. The last severe quake at Bagan occurred
in 1975. Many structures that had survived the centuries were
badly damaged - and one of the largest Bagan pagodas
irretrievably collapsed into the river. Fortunately,
archaeologists have restored many key structures.
Bagan’s Top Three
The three most famous Bagan pagodas are the Thatbyinnyu, Ananda
and Shwezigon Temples.
Thatbyinnyu is the tallest Bagan pagoda (high as a 17-story
modern building).
Ananda, which is slightly shorter, is one of the oldest yet best
preserved Bagan pagodas. Four tall standing Buddha statues
peacefully adorn its corners.
Shwezigon is the holiest of the Bagan pagodas. Its impressive
gilded bell-shaped stupa houses relics of Buddha.
What leading travel books say about Bagan
Bagan is a bewildering, deserted city of fabulous pagodas.
SouthEast Asia
on a Shoestring
Lonely Planet
A quintessential Bagan experience involves viewing the sunset
from a temple roof.
SouthEast Asia
Let's Go guidebooks
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