Horse carts are the traditional Bagan to see the many temples, though pickup trucks, ramshakle Toyotas are taking over.  Though the horse carts are not the fastest way of getting around, they are more fun way to see the temples, plus the canopy provides welcome shade in the blistering sun.  They are often well decorated - some ponies even have plastic flowes behind their ears.

Horse carts are the traditional Bagan to see the many temples, though pickup trucks, ramshakle Toyotas are taking over.  Though the horse carts are not the fastest way of getting around, they are more fun way to see the temples, plus the canopy provides welcome shade in the blistering sun.  They are often well decorated - some ponies even have plastic flowes behind their ears.

Bagan Skyline Silhouette - Burma's greatest architectural site has as many temples as Europe has medeival cathedrals.  The kings of Bagan or Pagan as it is sometimes known, were fond of making "statements" by building over 4400 temples.  The extraordinary fervour that resulted in this collection of monuments lasted two and a half centuries.  Over the years neglect, looting, erosion bat poop and the 1975 earthquake have all taken their toll.  Many restoration projects are ongoing, some sponsored by UNESCO and several temples have already been rebuilt or restored.

Nearly all Burmese boys become novice monks usually between the ages of 10 and 20.  All things possessed by novice monks must be offered by the community.  The only things allowed to keep are robes, a cup, an umbrella and an alms bowl.

Thanaka also spelt thanakha is a yellowish white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of Myanmar  commonly applied to the face of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys.

Dhammayangyi Temple is the most massive structure in Bagan which has a similar architectural plan to Ananda Temple. It was built by King Narathu (1167-70), who was also known as Kalagya Min, the 'king killed by Indians'. The temple is located about a kilometer to the southeast of the city walls directing Minnanthu.  After murdering his own king father, Narathu ascended the throne of Bagan and due to that, he built this temple. It is said that Narathu oversaw the construction himself and that masons were excecuted if a needle could be pushed between bricks they had laid. But he never completed the construction because he was assassinated before the completion. It was said that he was displeased by the Hindu rituals and one of them who made those rituals was the Indian princess who was the daughter of Pateikkaya. So he executed her for such reasons. The princess's father wanted revenge for his innocent daughter and sent 8 officers in the disguise of Brahmans and assassinated Narathu in this very temple.

Dhamma Yazaki Paya is a pentagonal zedi with an unusual design.  Set in the south central plain of Bagan it has alovely views from its highest terrace.  Its gilded bell can be seen from miles around, and is one of the best though unused sunset viewing spots in Bagan because of its inconvenient location.

Myauk Guni Temple is also located in Old Bagan. It was built by the Queen Pwasaw during the reign of King Narathihapate or the Tayoke Pye Min. Queen Pwasaw was a powerful Queen in the Bagan history. A stone inscription was found inside the temple describing about the donation of the temple, land and slaves by the Queen. Also there were curses to whoever destroys the temple...

Sulamani was built in 1181 and combines the horizontal planes of the early period with the vertical lines of the middle, the temple features two storeys standing on broad terraces assembled to create a pyramid effect. The brickwork throughout is considered some of the best in Bagan. Some of the temple was damaged during 1975 by the earthquake. Pagodas stand at the corners of each terrace, and a high wall, fitted with elaborate gateways at each cardinal point, encloses the entire complex.

Tharabar Gate Horse Cart, Old Bagan - The gateway to Old Bagan is Tharabar Gate, the best preserved remains of the wall surrounding the former original palace site built in the 9th century.

Tharabar Gate has two niches which guard the gate and house Burmese nat, who guard the gate and are treated with profound respect by the locals.  One the left is Lady Golden Face and on the Right is her brother Lord Handsome.

Towering above the other monuments of Bagan, the magnificence in white which is the Thatbyinnyu takes its name from the Omniscience of the Buddha. Thatbyinnyutanyan in Myanmar language, Sabbannutanana in Pali, omniscience is given further explanation in contemporary inscriptions as "knowing thoroughly and seeing widely."  Three receding terraces rise above each storey, ornamented with crenellated parapets and corner stupas. Above the terraces of the upper storey rises a curvilinear spire, surmounted by a slim, tapering stupa which takes the temple up to a height of 201 feet. The great height of the temple and the vertical lines of the ornamental features-the plain pilasters, the flame-like arch pediments, the corner stupas-give a soaring effect to the Thatbyinnyu...

Upali Thein is a mid 13th century ordination hall.  Inside are some brightly painted frescoes showing scenes on walls and ceilings from the late 17th or early 18th century.  Unfortunately many pieces were badly damaged in teh 1975 earthquake.   Upali Thein is named after a well known monk from the 13th century.