Bagan

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Why Bagan and
its temples & pagodas
are special

Bagan (formerly Pagan) was built from the mid-11th to near the end of the 13th centuries, when it was overrun by Kublai Khan's invading forces.

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Bagan
tips & insights

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When Bagan
was at its peak

In its glory days, Bagan was a major Buddhist center and a thriving city of at least 300,000 people along the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River. The people erected over 10,000 pagodas and monasteries.

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Today

Some 2,000 edifices still stand. The rest suffered chiefly from human neglect and earthquakes.

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Last severe quake

It occurred in 1975. Many structures that had survived the centuries were badly damaged - and one of the largest Bagan pagodas irretrievably collapsed into the river. Fortunately, archaeologists have restored many key structures.

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Bagan’s top three

The three most famous Bagan pagodas are the Thatbyinnyu, Ananda and Shwezigon Temples.

Thatbyinnyu
It's the tallest Bagan pagoda (high as a 17-story modern building).

Ananda
Though slightly shorter than Thatbyinnyu, it is one of the oldest yet best preserved Bagan pagodas. Four tall standing Buddha statues peacefully adorn its corners.

Shwezigon
This is the holiest of the Bagan pagodas. Its impressive gilded bell-shaped stupa houses relics of Buddha.

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