Photo Tour of Bagan

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4000+ temples at sunrise, the Ayeyarwady river, and slow rising mist created a photo tour that was just as hard to narrow down as photos of Inle Lake.

 
A ceremonial procession for some young boys. Possibly to become novice monks
A ceremonial procession for some young boys. Possibly to become novice monks

 

 

 
This kid really wanted whatever the guy was drinking
This kid really wanted whatever the guy was drinking

 
Shwezigon Paya
Shwezigon Paya

 
The small Buddha was the original in this stupa. A larger Buddha was later built around the smaller Buddha, making the smaller Buddha appear to be a baby.
The small Buddha was the original in this stupa. A larger Buddha was later built around the smaller Buddha, making the smaller Buddha appear to be a baby.

 
Lina and her "tour guide". The kid took us to the top of a nearby temple. Special because most temples you cannot go up in.
Lina and her "tour guide". The kid took us to the top of a nearby temple. Special because most temples you cannot go up in.

 

 
Biking was a popular way to get around Bagan. Although it's not recommended for the day.
Biking was a popular way to get around Bagan. Although it's not recommended for the day.

 
A giant gold Buddha in a temple
A giant gold Buddha in a temple

 
Perspective of big Buddha from a small Buddha
Perspective of big Buddha from a small Buddha

 
Each portal in this hall contained a Buddha
Each portal in this hall contained a Buddha

 
Gated
Gated

 
A much needed gazpacho and fruit smoothies for biking around the 100 degree desert
A much needed gazpacho and fruit smoothies for biking around the 100 degree desert

 
Delicious. Coconut curry.
Delicious. Coconut curry.

 

 
Lina presents. A temple!
Lina presents. A temple!

 
The first sand painter we saw was special, but there seems to be one at every temple in Bagan. Since there are 4000+ temples, the supply far exceeds the demand, allowing this sandpainter to catch a mid-day ciesta.
The first sand painter we saw was special, but there seems to be one at every temple in Bagan. Since there are 4000+ temples, the supply far exceeds the demand, allowing this sandpainter to catch a mid-day ciesta.

 
notice the foragers amongst the temples?
notice the foragers amongst the temples?

 
we asked for a temple you can climb, and boy did we get one. The stairs were as high as my knees, but barely fit half my foot.
we asked for a temple you can climb, and boy did we get one. The stairs were as high as my knees, but barely fit half my foot.

 
Gold, white and red temples
Gold, white and red temples

 

 
each little dot in the horizon is a temple. imagine this view for 360 degrees
each little dot in the horizon is a temple. imagine this view for 360 degrees

 

 

 
the locals wanted to take a picture with me, so I also took a picture with them. this happened quite frequently!
the locals wanted to take a picture with me, so I also took a picture with them. this happened quite frequently!

 

 
Pavement was hard to find here. Sand roads connected most of the temples. The thin tires on the bikes would sometimes get stuck in deeper sand
Pavement was hard to find here. Sand roads connected most of the temples. The thin tires on the bikes would sometimes get stuck in deeper sand

 
Inside looking out of a temple side door
Inside looking out of a temple side door

 
It looks like there was another Buddha on this wall before this more apparent one was painted
It looks like there was another Buddha on this wall before this more apparent one was painted

 

 

 
The sun beings to set
The sun beings to set

 
Dhammayangyi Pahto. The temple where we would watch the sun set from the upper wall. We got lost in the desert for a bit trying to find this one.
Dhammayangyi Pahto. The temple where we would watch the sun set from the upper wall. We got lost in the desert for a bit trying to find this one.

 
But it had a great view
But it had a great view

 
Dust rises in Bagan
Dust rises in Bagan

 
paper umbrellas
paper umbrellas

 
Waiting for the sun to rise on top of Buledi temple.
Waiting for the sun to rise on top of Buledi temple.

 

 
we got to see hot air balloons get blown up. unfortunately, even if there is some wind, they don't go up
we got to see hot air balloons get blown up. unfortunately, even if there is some wind, they don't go up

 
Note: the background is not a watercolor painting. There are just 4,000 stupas in this town and it created a beautiful backdrop to this sunrise
Note: the background is not a watercolor painting. There are just 4,000 stupas in this town and it created a beautiful backdrop to this sunrise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Lina on a temple
Lina on a temple

 
zoom zoom
zoom zoom

 

 

 
a much recommended day trip to the aureum palace hotel
a much recommended day trip to the aureum palace hotel

 
second that
second that

 
Sunset at the Aureum Palace Hotel in Bagan
Sunset at the Aureum Palace Hotel in Bagan

 

 

 

 

 
yes, these temples were real
yes, these temples were real

 

 

 

 
we got a personal tour of several temples by this kind monk
we got a personal tour of several temples by this kind monk

 
he even had to unlock doors for us
he even had to unlock doors for us

 
but the view was worth it. and not many tourists come this way either
but the view was worth it. and not many tourists come this way either

 

 

 

 
fortunately, Lina didn't see these. It would have frozen her in her tracks
fortunately, Lina didn't see these. It would have frozen her in her tracks

 

 
our boat captain
our boat captain

 
kids living in a fishing village on a sand bar in the river
kids living in a fishing village on a sand bar in the river

 
complete with fishing boats
complete with fishing boats

 
crops and a pig
crops and a pig

 
and the kids loved my camera
and the kids loved my camera

 

 
boat captain and guide
boat captain and guide

 

 
we had to rescue this group
we had to rescue this group

 
sunset
sunset

 
can you see the sun? it has set behind the smog of Bagan. It's burning season in Burma
can you see the sun? it has set behind the smog of Bagan. It's burning season in Burma

 
more burmese hand crafted motor vehicles
more burmese hand crafted motor vehicles

 
but some still do it the old fashioned way
but some still do it the old fashioned way

 
and others really pile on
and others really pile on

 
and on
and on

 
These were at every rest stop… "Flavors were selected specifically for a beer drinker's enjoyment" haha
These were at every rest stop… "Flavors were selected specifically for a beer drinker's enjoyment" haha

More Bagan

Interested in more details or planning a trip to Bagan? Check out our Bagan tips page and follow along on our Bagan bike trip.

Which photo was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!