Bagan

Dating back to the 9th century, Bagan city and its ancient archeological zone are often compared to Angkor Wat from Cambodia. This zone consists of over 2,000 temples and other historical sights.

Where To Stay
Bagan relies mostly on tourism, yet there are a few bargain places to stay. There are many world-class resorts in the area, which are too expensive for the backpacker. During the off-season, prices for lodging in Bagan can begin at 20,000 MMR for accommodations.

What To Do

• Bagan Temples
  Get lost admiring the thousands of temples in the region. Sulamani Guphaya Temple, Shwezigon Paya, and Shwesandaw Pagoda are favorites among tourists. I particularly liked the story about Dahmmayan Gyi Phaya, known as the Haunted Temple. There are many ways to see the temples including horse and carriage and bicycle rentals. A great way to save a few extra bucks is to walk around the temples.

• Ananda Temple
  One of the most famous temples in Bagan, this piece of art was built in 1105AD. Legend has it that King Kyanzittha was so pleased with it construction that 8 monks, who were the architects on the project, were executed after it was finished so that no other temple in the world would look like it.
• Ride a Balloon
  Fly over thousands of ancient temples in a hot air balloon for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is the most unique way to view the temples, and it offers photographers the opportunity to get some great shots. I chose to give my business to Balloons Over Bagan for numerous reasons, but there are other options available. My flight started early in the morning and we watched the sun rise over the awe-inspiring temples, had an entertaining balloon pilot (Hey Milton!), all with a celebratory champagne toast and a snack afterwards. I don’t often desire to do such activities twice, but I would happily go with Balloons Over Bagan again. This experience was 320 USD and is only available during the cooler season between October-April.
• Hot Pot Night
  On Saturday, the restaurant at the Bagan Umbra Hotel features relaxing live music and a creative hot-pot themed dinner menu.