Best Temples in Bagan: 7 Temples you shouldn't miss (Myanmar)

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Open Temples Bagan – 2019 update

Unfortunately, all pagodas are closed for climbing to the top. Due to receive its official UNESCO status, this is not allowed anymore.

Myanmar

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Secret View Temple

The balloons take off from a different site every morning, depending on the wind conditions. We recommend you to start in the center of the Bagan area at ‘Secret View Temple’, we named it like this since it has no name on Google Maps. It is located in the middle of the area which gives you the best chance to see the balloons near to you. (See map below)

Book a balloon flight online

Note: Take your shoes and socks off before entering any temple.

How to get here?

Make sure to arrive there around 7 AM. Use Google Maps and drive to the ‘Dhammayazaka’ temple, near New Bagan. Go around it and follow the road for about 1100 meters. On your right side, you will see a medium-sized temple. Yes, you can still go on top, make sure to handle everything with care.

Must read: The Ultimate Bagan Guide

Mahazedi Pagoda

If the Secret View Temple is a little too adventures for you in the morning, go to the Mahazedi Temple. A relatively small and quiet temple in Old Bagan where you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise the view from the top.

Find all: Hotels in Bagan

Shwegu Gyi Phaya

The Shwegu Gyi Phaya temple is next to Mahazedi and officially still allowed to climb to the top.

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Although sunrises and sunsets are crowded, it doesn’t take away the experience.

Find all: Hotels in Bagan

Ananda Pagoda

This is one of the first temples to be built in Bagan and very well preserved. It looks different from other temples and their architecture and paintings are quite impressive.

Read: How to get around in Bagan

Let Put Kan

Want to wander around a temple all by yourself? Let Put Kan lies further away from the crowded areas and you have to follow some small sand paths with your e-bike. This is just one of those many hidden temples in Myanmar.

How to get here?

Use Google Maps and search for the ‘Let Put Kan’ temple. About 300 meters after passing the Sulamani Temple. Take a left and drive all the way following some small paths. Keep Google Maps by the hand, use the compass and follow a possible sand path. Don’t worry, you won’t get lost.

Dhamma Yan Gyi Temple

One of the most popular temples is called Dhamma Yan Gyi. The story goes that this it’s supposed to be the highest in Bagan, but it has never been finished. Sunrise and sunset make this temple look like a movie set.

Shwesandaw Pagoda

This 5 stories high pagoda offers one of the best sunset views of the area. Although it can get quite crowded, it is nothing compared to the sunset you will experience from the top.

Heads up, the government is planning to add an entrance fee to the pagoda for its restorations and to limit the number of people on the pagoda. The fee was not there during our visit in February 2018.

Find: Bus/flight tickets to Bagan

Climbing the Bagan temples

Since receive it’s UNESCO status, it is not allowed to climb up the temples anymore. There are now two viewpoint hills overlooking the most famous temples in the area.

Read: The Ultimate Bagan Guide