Bagan

Ancient Temples and Timeless Sunsets

Bagan in Myanmar presents a landscape of thousands of ancient temples spread across dry plains. The area is dotted with weathered stupas and pagodas, many built between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. Visitors can walk among these structures to experience quiet courtyards and panoramic views from hilltop sites. Local guides share stories about the region’s history as a powerful kingdom along the Irrawaddy River. The site remains active for religious practice today, with monks and pilgrims still visiting regularly.

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Region in Myanmar

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.3

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	4

Read details

3/5

English is moderately spoken, especially in hotels, tourist shops, and among guides. Learning a few basic Burmese phrases can help with more local interactions.

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There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Bagan Summary

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World-class for temple landscapes. Explore thousands of ancient pagodas, cycle across plains, watch sunrise viewpoints and take hot air balloon rides.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Historic sites

Religious sites

Architecture

Guided tours

Ruins

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Myanmar – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Myanmar Kyat (MMK) £1 ≈ MMK 2,795
Cashless info:	Rating 2/5 Cashless payments are not widely accepted in Myanmar, and cash is preferred in most places. However, credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	We cannot recommend an eSIM provider for this country. We advise getting a local SIM card.

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Myanmar, with 5-10% being the usual amount in restaurants. Taxi drivers expect small tips, and hotel staff may be tipped a few kyats for their service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not common in Myanmar, and alcohol consumption is generally restricted to licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but it may be restricted in certain public places and enclosed spaces.

Thingyan (April)	Myanmar New Year Festival, celebrated with water fights and various cultural events

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 199 (Police), 192 (Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	Myanmar offers rich cultural and historical experiences but is best visited with caution due to ongoing political and safety concerns.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Bagan, Myanmar

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

🌦️

Jun

🌧️

Jul

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Aug

🌦️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

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Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Hot air balloon flights over the temples run roughly October to March, weather permitting

Thingyan water festival April 13 to 16: national holiday, many shops and restaurants close, transport is busy

March to May midday temperatures often exceed 40°C, so visit temples at sunrise and late afternoon

Don't miss

🌅 Watch sunrise over thousands of ancient pagodas
🕌 Explore the stunning Ananda Temple’s architecture
🎈 Take a hot air balloon ride for aerial views
🌇 Visit Shwesandaw Pagoda for panoramic sunset
🎨 Discover lacquerware craftsmanship in Myinkaba village

You've been here?

Why travel to Bagan?

Travel to Bagan to witness the iconic temple-studded landscape, best viewed from a hot air balloon at sunrise. The city's history and spirituality are deeply woven into every brick and relic, making it a bucket-list destination for culture and history enthusiasts. Be aware, though – Bagan's infrastructure is basic and the weather can get scorching hot, so plan accordingly.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Ananda Temple
2 Dhammayangyi Temple
3 Htilominio Temple
4 Sulamani Temple
5 Buledi (closed 13.6.2023)
6 Shwezigon Pagoda
7 Thatbyinnyu Temple
8 Shwesandaw pagoda
9 Bagan Archaeological Museum

🎡Places for activities

1 Bagan viewing tower
2 Tharabar Gate

🛍️Shopping

1 New Bagan Market

🎈Events

Ananda Pagoda Festival (January)
Full Moon of Thadingyut (October)
Shwezigon Pagoda Festival (November)
Thingyan Water Festival (April)
Full Moon of Tazaungmon (November)
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (Inle, but popular in Bagan too)
Nanda Pyinnyar Festival
Buddhist Lent (July)
Fire Balloon Festival (Taunggyi, but often visited from Bagan)
Harvest Festivals in Villages

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Knowledge before you go

Start early for cooler weather and softer temple light.
Rent an e-bike or bicycle; distances are long and roads can be dusty.
Dress modestly for pagodas: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off inside sacred areas.
Many temple climbs are restricted; ask locals for legal viewpoints for sunrise and sunset.

How to travel to Bagan

Fly into Nyaung U Airport (NYU) from Yangon or Mandalay. Alternatively, take a scenic river cruise from Mandalay or an overnight bus from other cities in Myanmar.

Access summary

From Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): Taxi to Old/New Bagan, around 15–25 minutes.
From Yangon: 1–1.5 h flight or 9–10 h overnight bus.
From Mandalay: 30–40 min flight, 5–6 h bus or 9 h river boat.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Bagan

Bagan offers a mix of accommodations, from budget guesthouses in Nyaung U to mid-range hotels in New Bagan and luxury resorts in Old Bagan. Book early during festival seasons.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Bagan Thande Hotel, Old Bagan

The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate

8.7

Aye Yar River View Resort

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Bagan

The best way to explore Bagan is by renting an e‑bike or bicycle. Taxis and horse carts are also available. Be cautious on sandy roads and always carry water.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-77 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 77% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-13 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to MMK) is 13% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Monywa, Myanmar - 108 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£22	£47	£132
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£75
🍝 Food per day	£8	£12	£35
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£22

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£5
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.40
🍟 Fast food combo	£2.20
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.20
☕ Cappuccino	£1
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.65

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.45

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£1.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£10.50
🤧 Cold medication	£0.75
💇 Basic haircut	£1.60

Safety information overview

General safety

Bagan is generally safe for tourists. Petty crime is rare, but always secure your belongings and avoid unlit areas at night. Political stability varies, so check for travel advisories.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Bagan are basic. Serious health issues may require travel to Mandalay or Yangon. Bring essential medicines and drink bottled or purified water to avoid stomach issues.

Accessibility

Bagan's ancient temples and sandy paths are not very accessible for visitors with mobility issues. E-bikes and tuk-tuks offer some assistance, but expect uneven terrain and steps.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or well-filtered water. Carrying a water bottle is recommended, as hydration is crucial in the hot climate.