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Bagan
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The main tourist destination in Myanmar is Bagan, capital of the First Myanmar
Empire, one of the richest archaeological sites in South East Asia. Bagan
was founded in 849 on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy
River about 500 kilometers (90 minutes
flight) north of Yangon.
The 42 sq. km. (16
sq. miles) area of
Bagan, also known as the city of over four million pagodas (4,446,733), contains 2000 edifices, the well-preserved pagodas and temples
representing the rich cultural heritage of the 11th - 13th Century. These
extraordinary architectural splendours and the beautiful frescoes that
decorate their interiors are an inspiration for scholars all over the
world. |
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Bagan survives over 1870 years long to tell of Myanmar History
especially the first period of Myanmar Greatness. Dating back to
109 A.D., Bagan was remote and obscure before it attained its national
and historical greatness in 1044 A.D. under King Anawrahta. Since
then Buddhism has flourished through the entire length and breath of the
country and Bagan became the seat of Buddhist learning and the centre of
Myanmar Culture. The golden age of both secular and religious
history lasted for over 240 years, and Bagan then declined to remain as
the most impressive relic of the past.
In
1975 a strong earthquake damaged and destroyed many smaller temples and
even a number of large and massively built temples and pagodas were
harmed. |
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Bagan, today it is, strictly
speaking, more of an archaeological site than a town, because more than
2,000 pagodas cover in mostly undamaged condition an area of about 40
sq. km. about the extent of the classical Bagan. The ruins of Bagan contain the largest concentration of temples and
pagodas in the country. Among
the significant pagodas
and temples are Anandar Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple, Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyi-in),
Htilominlo Temple, Dhammanyangyi Temple and Shwezigon Pagoda. Bagan, only 193 km (120 miles) south of Mandalay, enjoys more
or less the same weather. The two are major attractions of tourism in
Myanmar. Moreover,
the modern convenience, the air conditioner, should be able to help any wearied
visitor hereabouts if needs be. |
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Around Bagan
Mount Popa
About 67 km southeast of Bagan is Mount
Popa, an extinct volcano over 1,500
metres high, rising out of the plains. It is famed as the abode of the
Mahagiri Nats or Spirit gods to whom the Kings of Bagan paid annual homage and
their shrines can be seen at a nearby rocky crag.
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