2 Days in Bagan
Day- 1 Yangon to Bagan
Transfer to Yangon airport for the flight to Bagan. Arrive Bagan and drive to hotel for check in. Relax at hotel.. Visit to see the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, where the 37 pre-Buddhist 'nets' were first officially endorsed by the Barmar monarchy. The 12th Century originals were spirited away by a collector and are now reportedly somewhere in Italy. Next stop is Htilominlo situated close to the road between Nyaung U and Bagan, built by king Nantaungmya in 1218 and traces of old murals are also still visible. Take photo around the temples. See the four Buddha images in Manuha Pagoda. Then stop at Myazedi Stupa to see Myanmar's "Rosetta Stone", bearing inscriptions written in four languages. Continue to the Myinkaba area and visit Gubyaukgyi Temple, this temple was built in 1113 by Kyansittha's son Rajakumar, on his father's death. The fine stuccowork on it exterior walls is in particularly good condition. Then visit to Lacquer Ware Factory to watch craftsmen skilfully making this most famous of Bagan handicrafts. Enjoy Sunset at Shwe Sandaw Pagoda. Dinner at one of local restaurant.
Day- 2 Full day Bagan Sightseeing and sunset at Ayeyarwaddy River
Breakfast at hotel. This morning, visit to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery with beautiful, well-preserved 18th century murals. Then visit to Tharabar Gate, is part of the ancient 9th century wall. There are two niches containing images of the nats (protective spirits) or guardians of the gate, most of the locals stop here to present small offerings to prevent traffic accidents. Then visit to Shwegugyi Pagoda, was built by King Alaung Sithu during A.D 1141. This pagoda is located near the entrance of the Royal Palace therefore also known as Nan Oo Paya in Myanmar. Continue visit to Thatbyinnyu 'Omniscient' Temple, one of the highest in Bagan, rises to 61m and was built by Alaungsithu around the mid-12th Century. Then visit Dhammayangyi, a massive-looking temple dating from 1170, which is famous for its interlocking mortar-less brickwork. Then visit Sulamani, more sophisticate temple styles, with better internal lighting. Constructed circa 1181 by Narapatisithu and the temple features two storeys standing on broad terraces assembled to create a pyramid effect. Continue visit to Dhammayazika Temple, was built by King Narapati Sithu. The name of the pagoda, Dhammayazika or Dhammarajika in Pali means "Pertaining the King of Law. The structure of Dhammayazika Pagoda has pentagonal terraces instead of the usual Bagan pagodas, the square base. Enjoy lunch at one of local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit to Lemyethna Temple built in 1222, topped by and Indian-style spire like that on Ananda. Continue to Payathonzu (the name literally means Three Stupas) design is remarkably similar to Khmer Buddhist ruins in Thailand and two of the shrines contain vaguely Chinese or Tibetan-looking mural paintings that contain Bodhisattva figures. Feel the sunset at Ayeyarwaddy River with sunset cruise. Dinner at one of local restaurant. Accommodation at hotel in Bagan.