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