Bagan cycling: highlights and route map

Bagan cycling: highlights and route map

We spent our last day in Myanmar with a bike tour through Bagan, the world's largest and densest collection of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins

After we had driven over 250 km (155 miles) through Myanmar, including an 83 km (52 ​​miles) long journey to Mount Popa, the last day of our bike tour through Myanmar - only 25 km (15 miles) around the temple of Bagan - was a child's play.

Despite the short distances, the Burmanic sun seemed strong and with it the haunted Burmomanian heat came. Fortunately, there were regular relief in the cool and airy stonemasons with over 2,000 Buddhist buildings that spread over 104 square kilometers (40 square miles).

The Kingdom of Bagan, founded in the second century AD, once had over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries, all of which were built between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Since it is in an active earthquake zone, Bagan has suffered many earthquakes over the centuries, the youngest of which in 2016 destroyed over 400 buildings and damaged hundreds. Today the remains of "only" 2,000 temples and pagodas can be seen, many of which are repaired and restored.

Seeing this iconic place by bike is a great way to be directly between the ruins. At the height of the ground, it is easier to move between the locations along smaller, quieter roads, to which coaches have no access. Only at this level do you really get a feeling for how many structures there are. On every corner, behind every group of trees there is an ancient temple or a pagoda that is waiting to be rediscovered again and again.

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Below we look at the highlights of cycling in Bagan and offer a list of the sights you must have seen together with a simple route card to make it easier for you.

cycling Bagan: Route

The Google card below contains several important sights and other sights that we discovered when cycling in Bagan. We visited Shwesandaw Paya to watch the sunset on the evening of our arrival, Thitsawadi Paya for the sunrise the next morning and the Old Bagan Pier for a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River on our last evening.

Dhammayazika Paya

The great Dhamayazika Paya from the 12th century is hard to overlook. His huge, golden, bell-shaped pagoda, which is mounted on terracotta terraces, sparkles in the twilight and rises proudly over the surrounding levels. It was badly damaged in the 2016 earthquake and was taboo during our trip. We were still able to take a look at the impressive building, although it was from afar and somehow covered our view.

alt = "Dhammayazika"> Atlas & Boots Dhammayazika was badly damaged in the 2016 earthquake and was closed during our visit

dhammayangyi pahto

This huge walled temple is visible from all over Bagan and the widest of all. It is famous for its surreal, weakly illuminated, bricked -in inner courses through which visitors can hike at will.

It is said that King Narathu built the temple in the 12th century to make up for his terrible sins: he murdered his father and brother and executed his wife, an Indian princess because she practiced Hindu rituals. He is the best preserved temple from Bagan and has detailed mortar work on its upper levels.

Alt = "Cycling bagan overview-1-Dhamayangyi"> Atlas & Boots Dhammayangyi Pahto is visible from anywhere in Bagan

alt = “Kia wanders through the atmospheric corridors”> Atlas & Boots Kia wanders through the atmospheric corridors

Paya Thone to

Paya Thone was recently renovated and is unique because it is the only temple in Bagan that consists of three temples that are connected by tight passages. The interior of the temple contains numerous wall paintings, many of which are incomplete, since it is assumed that the temples were hastily left due to the Mongolian invasion in Burma in the 13th century before they were completed.

alt = “Paya Thone is the only temple in Bagan that consists of three co-connected temples”> Atlas & Boots Paya Thone To be the only temple in Bagan that consists of three connected temples

Shwezigon Paya

This huge gilded temple in the nearby city of Nyaung-U is the most important religious site of the city. It is assumed that the main pagoda contains a bone and a tooth of Gautama Buddha.

There are four shrines on the cardinal points, each house a 4 m high standing bronze Buddha. They were cast in 1102 and are Bagan's largest preserved bronzebuddhas. On a hot and sunny day, the gold leaf and the reflective stone floor is almost dazzling. Be sure to wear sunglasses!

Alt = “cycling bagan-shwezigon-Paya”> Atlas & Boots It is assumed that Paya contains a bone and a tooth from Gautama Buddha

ananda pahto

Ananda Pahto was partially damaged during the 2016 earthquake, but remains open to visitors. The temple is one of the most beautiful, largest and best preserved of all Bagan temples.

completed in 1105 - over 900 years ago - the iconic building enthron 50 m (170 ft) over the surrounding levels. It is a popular place, so there are many flying dealers on the site that sell souvenirs such as books, postcards and oil paintings, but do not be prevented from visiting

alt = “Ananda Pahto is one of the most beautiful, largest and best preserved of all Bagan temple”> Atlas & Boots Ananda Pahto is one of the most beautiful, largest and best preserved of all Bagan Temple

Shwesandaw Paya

On the day of our arrival in Bagan, we had just enough time to check in our hotel and take a quick shower before we made our way to enjoy the sunset over one of the most famous views of the world.

The graceful Shwesandaw Paya is Bagan's most famous and most popular place to observe the sunset. During the day, however, you probably have the place all of yourself, which makes it an ideal place for temple panoramas and photography.

alt = “Shwesandaw Paya is Bagan's most famous and most popular place to observe the sunset”> Atlas & Boots Shwesandaw Paya is Bagan's most famous and most popular place to observe the sunset

thitsawadi paya

Thitsawadi Paya is a rare three -story building - most in Bagan are only two -story - which makes it another ideal place for sunsets and sunrises. There is an excellent view of the nearby Dhamayazika Paya and the Sulamani Temple as well as countless stupas.

alt = “Thitsawadi Paya is another ideal place for sunsets or sunrises”> Atlas & Boots Thitsawadi Paya is another ideal place for sunsets or sunrises

cruise on the Irrawaddy River

Popular river cruises on the Irrawaddy start at the Old Bagan Pier and offer an alternative view of the region. We couldn't see Bagan's endless sea from Stupas, but it was a great end to our bike day. A 1.5-hour river cruise leads to the opposite shore before you drive back with the current while the sun goes down above the water.

Alt = “Cruises on the Irrawaddy River start at the Old Bagan Pier”> Atlas & Boots Cruises on the Irrawaddy River Start at Old Bagan Pier

cycling Bagan: The essentials

was: We cycled Bagan as part of a 13-day bike tour through Myanmar (Burma).

Where: The tour started in Yangon, the country's largest metropolis before led north to the Inle Lake, Pindaya and Mandalay, then to Central Myanmar with Mount Popa and the Irrawaddy River before it ended in Bagan.

The accommodation included 10 nights in comfortable tourist class hotels, one night in a guest house and one night in a monastery (classified as a host family).

When: The best travel time for Myanmar is from October to March when the monsoon has subsided and the temperatures are pleasant. It gets very hot in the country from April to May. The central regions in which Bagan and Mandalay are available can reach temperatures of over 40 ° C - not ideal for cycling!

From May to September, the Southwest Monsun leads to heavy rains. During this time, streets can become impassable, especially from July to September. From October the rains are after.

like: We booked the 13-day Myanmar bike tour from G Adventures at a price from € 2,499 ($ ​​2,730) per person. The price includes all accommodations, 12 breakfasts, four lunches, a dinner, bike rental (including helmets and water bottles), domestic flights, transport, a fantastic chief experience officer throughout the trip and additional helpers, including experienced tour guide, mechanic and driver.

For more information or bookings, call 0344 272 2040 or visit gadventures.co.uk.

Note that the prices do not include international flights and there are no direct flights from the United Kingdom. However, several airlines offer one-stop flights from London Heathrow via Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok. Book via skyscanner.net.

If you are considering a bike tour somewhere, read our five tips for cycling.

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LONELY PLANET Myanmar is a comprehensive travel guide for Myanmar, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take the less busy street.

disclosure: We traveled to Myanmar with the support of G Adventures. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.

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