Hotels in Bagan

Bagan: Plain of 2,000 Temples

Bagan sits on a dry plain in central Myanmar's Mandalay Region, beside the Irrawaddy River, and holds more than 2,000 surviving Buddhist temples and pagodas built between the 9th and 13th centuries. At its height under the Pagan Kingdom, the plain contained roughly 10,000 religious structures. The three largest — Ananda Temple (1105 AD), Dhammayangyi Temple, and Thatbyinnyu — remain active pilgrimage sites. Hot-air balloon flights over the temple field, running from October to April, give a ground-level density that no photograph fully conveys.

Where to Stay

Accommodation clusters in three zones: Old Bagan, a walled archaeological area with upmarket properties steps from Ananda Temple; New Bagan, 4 km south, with mid-range guesthouses; and Nyaung-U, the main market town 5 km northeast, which offers budget options near the airport. Most hotels arrange e-bike rentals — the standard way to reach outlying temples across the 104 sq km archaeological zone.

Practical Tips

• Entry fee: A 25,000 MMK archaeological zone pass is required and checked at temple entrances.
• Best season: November to February brings cooler, drier weather; temperatures exceed 40 °C in April and May.
• Getting there: Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) receives domestic flights from Yangon (1 hr) and Mandalay (30 min).
• Dress code: Shoes and socks must be removed at all temple entrances; carry a small bag for footwear.