'Exclusive Travel Experience with Myanmar Tourism Services'

Bagan
"He who has not visited Bagan has not visited Myanmar yet."

Bagan was the first imperial capital of ancient Myanmar. The end of the 13th century witnessed the fall of Bagan dynasty in the reign of King Narathihapate or King Tayotpaye. Bagan had been ruled over by 55 kings 12th century. The ruins of Bagan cover a tract of country, measuring about 16 square miles along the east bank of mighty Ayeyarwady. The monuments which are now in all stages of decay were erected mostly from the 11th - 13th centuries AD, during which Bagan was in its heydays. Nowadays, Bagan is the ideal site for historical, cultural and archaeological studies.True! Myanmar people used to say regarding Bagan of which they are much proud. Bagan is the cradle of Myanmar history and Buddhist culture. King Thamudrit built Bagan at the very place of the settlement called Paukkan. The mighty King Anawrahta (1044-77) welded into one kingdom a group of formerly independent states and became king of the Ayeyarwady River in the 11th century. He extended his sovereignty down to the south. He was the first unifier of Myanmar and the introducer of the Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar. The air of Bagan is filled not only with the fragrance of vachellia, but also with war-cries of spear-slinging heroes on horsebacks. The study of the history and culture of Began means the study of the history and culture of Myanmar. Thanks to the good irrigation system of Bagan kings, the wealth of Bagan increased rapidly and the people of Bagan erected about 10,000 pagodas and temples in Bagan area. But today they are ruined except some famous pagodas and temples. However, Bagan succumbed to the onslaught of the Mongols in 1287, and Myanmar split up into small principalities. Bagan period was the period of affluence, creativity and glory---- the period the rained gold and sliver, as Myanmar people usually put it. It was a period like that of the renaissance period in Italy.

Dammayangyi Temple
Damayangyi, built in (1167-70) by king Naratha, is the most massive temple in Bagan. It extend approximately 225 feet on each of its four sides, wall known for the mass and thickness. This temple was not fully finished but it displayed the finest brickwork.

Tharabar Gateway
King Pyin Pyar Min ( AD 846 - 878) built the fortress of Bagan with 12 gates. The Tharyabar gate, built during the 9th century, is located on the east side of the palace. Traces of stucco can still be seen on the gate. The gate is guarded by greatly revered brother and sister, Min Maha Giri ( the brother ) and Namadaw ( the sister ) spirits in each side of the gate. 

Bagan Archaeological Museum
The Bagan museum is the perfect place where visitors can witness the many archaeological items in wood, lacquer, metal, and clay. Moreover, it houses various items excavated throughout the eras. Visitors can also view the paintings of pagodas, Buddha images of different postures in gold, bronze and silver.

Arnandar Okkyaung Monastery
Just a few yards from Ananda, there are Arnandar Okkyaung Monastery. The building was a residence for monks. It is considered an unusual piece of art because the whole structure is made of fine workmanship demonstrate the life of the ordinary people but seem to have been painted in 18th century A.D. Ananda Okkyaung Monastery simply meaning Brick Monastery.

Bagan & Environments
Mt Popa
Mt. Popa, some 50 km south east of Bagan, is 1500 meters high. It is said to be the core of an extinct volcano. It is highly for being the home of Nats or Spirits, considered the most important Nats worship center. The area has also been designated as a National Park, a perfect for eco-tourism.

Salay
Salay is an ancient town rich in Myanmar culture. Salay has ancient pagodas which date from the Bagan Period. Visitors to the ancient capital Bagan often make a 20 miles (15 kilometers) trip south to see Salay, an ancient town rich in Myanmar culture. Salay is also on the great Ayeyawady River, like Bagan, another pleasurable way to get there is to go by one of the small motor boats available for hire and which usually leave Bagan from the Bu-Hpaya jetty. Sitting in comfortable cushioned chairs you can watch the river crafts on the big waterway, once the only real life-line of Myanmar, with all the old towns lining its banks.

Salay has ancient pagodas which date from the Bagan Period. There are over a hundred ruins around Salay, but unlike Bagan many of them have never been systematically studied by archaeologists and historians. Salay seems to have developed as a town in the latter part of the Bagan Period and has been a centre of Myanmar culture for at least over 700 years.

Salay: Yoke Sone Monastery
Salay is famous for its Yoke-sone Kyaung (a 19th century wooden monastery) with exquisite wooden carvings. The whole building is built of wood and is a fine example of monastic architecture of the late Konbaung Period. The main attraction of the monastery is the decorative wooden panels made by the master carvers of the period whose meticulous workmanship is in many ways superior to those of later periods.