Shwezigon Pagoda(Nyaung U)
It is a solid, cylindrical structure resting on the square terraces, a prototype of Burmese stupas. It has a bold waist-band round the bell shaped dome above which rises a series of concentric mouldings ending in a final and crowned by an umbrella. It was built by king Anawrahta, who left it in an unfinished state, and completed by Kyanzittha (1084-1113 A.D.). Around the terraces of the Pagoda, there are set in panels, enamelsled plaques illustrating the scenes in the previous lives of the Buddha. It is believed to contain the frontal bone and a tooth of the Buddha and is thus held in great veneration by the Buddhists of the whole of Burma. On each of the four side of the pagoda is a small temple which enshrines a standing Buddha, 13 feet high, of the Gupta school of art. On either side of the east approach to the pagoda is a square stone pillar with Mon inscription on all four sides dedicated by king Kyanzittha.

Sarabha Gateway(Bagan)

It is the main gate of the east wall and the only structure left on the old city built by King Pyinbya in the 9th century A.D. Traces of stucco carvings on the frieze are visible on the exterior walls. The entrance to it is guarded by two guardian Nats or Spirits, brother and sister, each of whose image is deposited in a masonry shrine, the male on the left and female on the right as one enters the city by it.

 

Thatbyinnyu Temple(Bagan)

“ Thatbyinnyu” signifies “ omniscience” one of the attributes of the Buddha. The temple was built about the middle of the 12th century A.D. by King Alaungsithu grandson and successor of the King who erected the Ananda, Standing within the city walls, some 500 yards to the south-west of the Ananda, the Thatbyinnyu rises to a height of 201 feet above the ground and overtop all the other monuments. Its general plan is not unlike the Ananda , but it does not, like the latter form a symmetrical cross. The eastern porch alone projects considerably from the wall. It has two main storeys and the Buddha image is seated on the upper floor. The central stairway guarded by two standing figures of guardians faces the eastern hall and entrance. The steps lead to circumambulatory corridor round the central mass. Climbing up on the pair of stairs built in the thickness of the wall one reaches the top of the vestibule from the where and external flight of stairs lead to the upper storey. The high cubicles, the corner stupas on the terraces, the flamboyant arch-pediments and the plain pilasters combine to give a soaring effect to the monument. The two tiers of windows in each storey make the interior bright and airy. But the walls are bare and recesses along the plinth and terraces do not contain any glazed plaques.

Bupaya Phaya(Bagan)

Standing on the brink of the Ayeyarwaddy river at Pagan, above rows of crenellated terraces, the small Pagoda is a conspicuous landmark to navigators. The dome resembles that of the Ngakywenadaung assuming the form of a cylindrical relic casket. Above its stands a bold convex band upon which rises a tapering Stupa final. Tradition attributes the Pagoda to King Pyusawhti who ruled Bagan in the 3rd century A.D. Within its precincts is a shrine dedicated to the God of Storms (Mondaing Nat).

Dhammayangyi Temple(Bagan)

Built by Narathu who was also called the ‘ Kalagya Min ’ or the king killed by the kalas. The Burmese chronicles assert that while the construction of the temple was in progress, the king was assassinated by some kalas and it was never completed. Sinhalese sources, however, indicate that it was the Sinhalese who put the king to death. Most of the arches and the major portion of the structure are still sound. The finest brickwork is to be seen in this temple and the enclosure wall. In plan it is similar to the Ananda, but only the outer corridor is accessible as all the entrances to to the inner one are blocked by brickwork for an unknown reason.

Manuha Temple (Myinkaba)

It was built by Manuha, the captive king of Thaton, in 1059 A.D. It is a reduplicated square structure with a battlemented terrace, the upper storey being smaller than the lower, so that the entire building appears to assume the form of a pyramid. It contains three images of seated Buddhas and a recumbent image of gigantic proportions representing the Buddhain the act of entering Nirvana.The temple is an allegorical representation of the physical discomfort and mental distress the captive king had to endure. The builder’s grievance is graphically demonstrated by the uncomfortably seated and reclining Buddhas.

Abeyadana Temple(Myinkaba)

Tradition assigns it to King Kyanzittha and identifies it as the place where Abeyadana, his wife, came and waited for him when he was hiding near the place now marked by the Nagayon temple during one of his flights from the wrath of Sawlu. The temple faces north and consists of a square basement surmounted by a stupa with a pronounced relic chamber and a tall spire; the porch on the north has three entrances. The basement is ornamented with perforated stone windows, and there is vaulted corridor running round the central block. In the latter there is a deep recess forming a sanctum on the north, and init is enshrined a large image of a seateeed Buddha in brick. The chief interest of the temple lies in the paintings with which the inner faces of its walls are decorated. These mural paintings represent the Brahmanical gods and divinities of the Mahayana pantheon. The Jataka scenes with Mon legends cover the walls of the front hall.

Lawkananda Pagoda(Thiripyitsaya)

Built by Anawrahta in 1059 A.D. It is a stupa with an elongated dome surmounted by a finial of concentric rings in imitation of a series of diminishing umbrellas. The two lower terraces are ascended by flights of steps on four sides though arches are not provided above them. It is one of the typical buildings erected by Anawrahta and is still used as a place of worship, being held in great veneration by the Buddhists of Burma as the supposed depository of a replica of the toothrelic of Gautama Buddha. The pagoda is an ancient landmark, because near it were anchored all vessels from Ceylon, Arakan and the Mon country.

Payathonzu Temple(Minnanthu)

The Payathonzu is so called because the monument consists of three distinct small square temples with vaulted corridors and porticoes, joined together by two vaulted narrow passages leading from the one into the other. There is a pedestal in each sanctum, but the images have disappeared and their exact nature is not known. The walls of the corridor and the vaults are covered with beautifully painted and well preserved frescoes of Mahayanist and Tantric character. The half decorated middle sanctum and the plain walls of the western temple indicate that the work was abandoned before completion. The date of the foundation of this temple is not known but it can safely be assigned to late 13 th century A.D.

Surrounding Area of Bagan
Mt. Popa
Mt. Popa, known as Myanmar's Mt. Olympus, is a forest landmark arising 5000 ft. above sea level and is a place of special importance in both the country's history & culture. The natural springs, flowers and wooded hillsides greatly contrast to the dry lands surrounding it and therefore called the "Oasis of the dry zone." The climate is also totally different from neighbouring Bagan & Myingyan.