Pagan Travel Guide

 herzog63 Says:  This Paya was very unique as it is based off the Mahabodi Temple in Bodhgaya India were Buddha attained his enlightenment. I hadn't been to that one but I thought this one was based off the Temples of South India. I didn't see any other Payas done in this style here in... 

 herzog63 Says:  Shwesandaw Paya is one of the most Popular Temples to take in the beautiful Sunsets of Bagan from. I didn't go here for sunset but I could see quite a few people up there. This is one of the rare Temples that has the outside stairs going up from to the upper levels. Most of... 

 herzog63 Says:  Gawdawpalin Pahto is just down the road from Antizigon Pahto. It is a very beautiful Paya! It was built in the 12th and 13th century. The upper levels to this place are also closed!! I guess they are preserving the stair ways by not letting tourists go to the top. It is sad... 

 herzog63 Says:  Here at Atwinzigon Paya there isn't anything to special to see. We happened on it as there is a place to eat lunch right across the street so we wandered over and check it out. There is a main entrance hall then the Chedi is behind that. It's worth a few minutes though. 

 herzog63 Says:  Thatbyinnyu Pahto is one of the highest Temples in Bagan. This is another of the Temples that I was disappointed to discover that tourists are not allowed to the upper levels. But the lower level is fun to explore. There is a souvenir stand and a small "restaurant" located... 

 herzog63 Says:  Dhammayangyi Patho is a pretty cool place. It was built somewhere around the 12 th century! It is built with mortarless brick which is very cool upon close inspection. The upper terraces were off limits when I was there so you can only enjoy the outer beauty of the place.... 

 herzog63 Says:  I don't think the horse cart drivers keep really busy. As most of the time they were just lounging and sleeping while waiting for a customer. 

 herzog63 Says:  If you rent a bike beware that the tires will be weakened from the heat of the pavement and they may be thin anyways! My son had 4 punctures in his tires. Luckily there are a plenty of little fix-it shops set up under the trees and they are positioned so you wouldn't have to... 

 herzog63 Says:  When I saw this sitting outside of Atwinzigon Paya I told my son it was an old Kings Throne! He was excited about it. Then he looked at it curious and said I don't think so. But we took a picture of him sitting in it anyways. 

 herzog63 Says:  On the grounds of most all of the Payas you will see Zedi's similar to this one. They usually contain Buddha relics such as a hair or a tooth. Although the relics are impossible to see they play an important part in the Paya's importantance. That is only my observation and... 

 herzog63 Says:  When you walk behind the main building of the Atwinzigon Paya you will see this stupa. It was being restored while I was there. I found the scaffolding to be quite interesting. It was a style of scaffolding that I hadn't seen before. 

 herzog63 Says:  At most of the bigger Payas and some of the smaller ones the entrances to the interior were usually blocked off like this picture. Probably a deterrant to vandalism and theft. The Main Entrance will be open for you to gain entry.The designs of most of the Payas had an open... 

 herzog63 Says:  There are several groups of lesser known Payas spread out all over the Bagan area. This is one of the Payas located between the Bagan-Nyaung U Road and Anawrhta Road just south-east of Nyaung U. These are accesed from small dirt paths that intersect with the main roads. They... 

 herzog63 Says:  This is the Sapada Paya. Nothing very important as far as I could tell. But is a good landmark to know if you are staying at one of the guesthouses near it. As I was staying at The Large Golden Pot which is directly across the road from Sapada Paya.