The Ultimate Travel Guide to Bagan, Myanmar The Ultimate Travel Guide to Bagan, Myanmar

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Bagan, Myanmar

One of the most fairytale-like places in the world is Bagan in Myanmar (Burma). If you like Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Cappadocia in Turkey then you are definitely going to love Bagan. The area contains 2200+ small and big temples (pagodas) and looks like an African country when biking around. Bagan earned the UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2019 and this Bagan Guide will help you plan your days.

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6 Things to do in Bagan, Myanmar

We highly recommend you to book at least 3 nights in Bagan. Getting to Bagan can be done by bus, train, taxi or airplane. They all drain energy and time. With 3 nights you can experience at least 2 sunrises and sunsets. Bagan is the most popular stop on a route through Myanmar.

Spending your time in Bagan can be done in many ways. These are the things to do in Bagan.

1. Balloon flight at Sunrise

What’s more magical than waking up, floating between the temples while you slowly feel the comfortable heat of the rising sun on your face? A balloon ride in the morning is something you don’t want to miss in Bagan, Myanmar.

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Bagan, Myanmar

A 40-60 minute flight is around $340 depending on the season. Don’t forget to take your sweater with you. Mornings can be cold depending on the season.

2. Visit the temples in Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan owns many beautiful temples, way too many to visit in your trip. We’ve highlighted the best and most impressive temples in one Best Bagan Temples Guide. Explore the temple in an Africa-like landscape on your e-bike.

3. Enjoy an incredible sunset or sunrise on top of a temple

Bagan is famous for its sunrises and sunsets. Although it’s not allowed anymore to climb most of the temples. Getting up in time for sunrise every morning and surrounded by nothing but peaceful temples & hot air balloons is an unforgettable experience.

4. Visit Minnanthu Village

A bit dislocated from the main villages like Old and New Bagan is the local village Minnanthu. Get a small tour around their village and see how they make their products. Products like cotton clothing, cigars, peanuts, etc. It’s a great place to stop on a little round trip on your e-bike.

5. Relax in the afternoon until the sunset!

Afternoons in Bagan can get quite hot. Explore the temples from the early morning until 1 AM and relax in the afternoon. Take a dip or nap at your pool or go chill at one of the restaurants nearby. After 4 PM, go out again and explore the area.

These are our top 3 restaurants to chill and have a delicious meal in the afternoon.

  1. The Moon (nr 2)
  2. Sharky’s 
  3. Khaing Shwe Wha

6. Rent an e-bike in Bagan

The government has introduced something very clever a few years ago, E-Bikes. Electric motorbikes that will get you around the area in a very relaxed but more important, very silent way.

You can rent an e-bike almost everywhere. A good price for an e-bike in Bagan is somewhere between 5000 – 7000 Kyat ($5) per day. The price goes up a little when you are on one bike with two people. Make sure you check everything like tires, lights, mirrors, and battery before renting it.

Where to stay in Bagan?

There are 3 main villages, Nyaung-U, Old Bagan and New Bagan. They surround the temples area in Bagan, Myanmar.

The best location to stay near most of the temples in Old Bagan and also the most expensive area to stay. Though New Bagan and Nyaung-U are just a 30-min drive with your e-bike.

Nyaung-U is the village where most of the backpackers stay but New Bagan is a rising area for good looking hostels.

Cheap stays in Bagan

How to get to Bagan?

Bagan can be easily combined with your Myanmar route. You can reach Bagan via bus or taxi from Yangon (9h), Mandalay (4h) or Inle Lake (8h). There is also an airport with daily flights to Yangon.

Best time to visit Bagan, Myanmar

The best time to visit Bagan is between November and February. Bagan is hot most of the year but in these months it is the most pleasant with 30degrees. Avoid the summer, which runs from March to May.

10/03/2023 https://www.saltinourhair.com/myanmar/bagan-guide/
Blog comments (9)

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  • Dana

    Hi, do you mind sharing whcuch tour you took to visit the Minnanthu Village? Thanks

    • Salt in our Hair

      We simply drove our electric scooter and walked around. There will be people guiding you around.

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