Bagan is an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on a flat plain on the Irrawaddy River in the Mandalay Region. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom’s height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 4,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2,200 temples and pagodas still survive today. Our Bagan temples tours and photography experiences uncover the hidden gems of this unique site of global importance.
Our Bagan Day Tours
Bagan remains a magical and mysterious place in the minds of many. Drawing visitors from around the world to experience the sunrise panorama casting golden rays over the spires of thousands of temples. The enigmatic Ananda Temple and giant golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda attract fewer foreign visitors than Burmese pilgrims, offering rare opportunities to keen photographers. Rural villages travel to our festivals in nomadic oxcarts, to mix with local artisans. Among our favorite Bagan day tour sites are the sandstone Ananda Pagoda, the five-sided Dhammayazaka stupa, and the many secret temples scattered along the riverside.
Explore Bagan with a knowledgeable local guide and see off the beaten path temples others miss! Customize your private day tour of Bagan and enjoy the most spectacular temples and authentic tastes of Burma. Our Bagan sightseeing tours feature iconic temples and remote villages for an intimate and memorable experience in Bagan. Don’t forget your camera!
Bagan Classics Temples Tour
Bagan Discovery Ebike Tour
Bagan Family Tour with Sand-Painting Class
Bagan Living Heritage Tour
Bagan Monastery Meditation Experience
Lost Temples of Bagan
Romantic Bagan for Couples
Bagan Proposal Package
Looking for Things to Do in Bagan?
Looking for things to do in Bagan between sunrise and sunset?
Bagan Balloon Rides
Bagan Cooking Class: Burmese Slow-Food
Bagan Crafting Classes
Bagan Village Walks
Bagan Sunset Boat Trips
Why Choose Us?
Our company was born in Bagan in 2015 and we’re based there year-round. We have close ties to local communities here through our close collaboration with Myanmar SEEDS, our partner nonprofit. Part of what makes a day out with us so special is the direct contact with locals as we share our community connections with our tour guests. This allows our guests to experience Myanmar more authentically than any other tours on offer.
Bagan Now an UNESCO World Heritage Site!
“Bagan contains an extraordinary ensemble of Buddhist monumental architecture, reflecting the strength of religious devotion of an early major Buddhist empire. Within the context of the rich expressions and traditions of Buddhist architecture and art found throughout Asia, Bagan is distinctive and outstanding.” – UNESCO World Heritage Inscription, July 2019
Bagan Has Something for Everyone
Home to more than 3,000 monuments spread out over 100 square kilometers of area, Bagan is open to exploring. There are many ways to enjoy Bagan, whatever the type of holiday you are planning. From romantic getaways to strenuous adventures, our Bagan tours offer something for everyone.
Because of the area’s size and incredible collection of monuments, we generally recommend a minimum stay of 3 nights to fully experience all Bagan has to offer. For advice on planning your stay get in touch with us here.
Unique Sights in Bagan
Ananda Temple
Built in 1105 during the height of Bagan’s splendour, Ananda Pagoda is the crown jewel of Bagan’s architectural wonders. This impressive temple has been called the “Westminster Abbey of Burma” and has recently been fully restored and is in excellent condition. The whitewashed walls and gilded spires of the temple are an unforgettable sight and versatile photo subject.
Buddhist Monasteries, Monks & Nuns
Theravada Buddhism is practiced by a great majority of the Burmese population, where monasteries are respected education centers and monks are venerated in society. Myanmar daily life is characterized by personal merit-making rituals and community charity activities, or “donations” (dana), to accumulate good karmafor a favourable rebirth.
Monk portraiture in Bagan A monk studying in Mandalay A local monk at his monastery
Traditional Burmese Village Life
Mobile phones and the Internet were introduced to the Myanmar people only in 2012. Change is slowly coming, but for the moment much of Burma remains like a time capsule from the bronze age where animals and manual labor, not machines, are the do most of the work. Here, our houses are grown from the earth and our roads and tools are made by hand. Step back in time on a visit to a remote Myanmar village rarely, if ever, seen by foreigners. Our Bagan Living Heritage Tour includes a rural village walk where you can meet and learn from traditional Burmese bush-knowledge.
Shepards herding cattle at sunset in Bagan Rice farmers in Myanmar Everyday life in Bagan’s villages
The private meditation in one of the Pagodas in the morning and soulful conversations about Buddhism and life just added more meaning to all of the beauty surrounding us.
EKATERINA, LA/MOSCOW (VIA TRIPADVISOR)
Myanmar Tour Photo Galleries
Bagan Photo Gallery
Mandalay Photo Gallery
