Brief
Bagan , formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), it was the ancient capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma. It is located in the dry central plains of the country, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Mandalay.UNESCO has unsuccessfully tried to designate Bagan as a World Heritage Site.

Reasons to visit
Bagan is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar. One of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, is located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Also being the capital of first Myanmar Empire, Bagan covers an area of 42 sq.km containing over 2000 well-preserved pagodas and temoles of the 11th- 13th century 

Shwezigon Pagoda  
Started in the 11th century, the pagoda is one of the first buildings in a unique Burmese style, while older pagodas were built in Mon style. It is said that the pagoda was built to enshrine the tooth, collar-bone and headband relics of the Buddha, and so has become a revered place of pilgrimage. Two great kings, noted for their patronage of the religion, are associated with the Shwezigon: Anawrahta (1044-1077) and Kyansittha (1084-1113).   

Ananda Temple    
Built in 1091 by Kyanzittha, the temple is said to represent the endless wisdom of the Buddha. The central square has sides of 53 metres, and rises in terraces to a height of 51 metres. Having suffered considerable damage in the earthquake of 1975, the temple, one of the finest, largest and best preserved, was reconstructed in 1979.   

Thatbyinnyut Temple   
Built by Alaungsithu in the mid-12th century, this 61 metre tall temple is the highest in Bagan. The stone supports which once held the temple's huge bronze bell are now located in a monastery compound southwest of the Thatbyinnyut. To the north east stands a small "tally pagoda", built using one brick for every 10,000 used in the main temple.

Gawdawpalin Temple 
Built during the reign of Narapatisithu (1174-1211), this is one of the largest and most imposing of the Bagan temples - cube shaped with Buddha images on the four sides of the ground floor. The top terrace affords excellent views of sunset over the Ayeyarwady. The Gawdawpalin was badly damaged by the earthquake in 1975, and reconstruction was started in 1979. 

Shwegugyi Temple   
Built by Alaungsithu in 1311, this temple is an early example of a transition in architectural styles, which resulted in airy, lighter buildings. The temple is also notable for its fine stucco carvings and for the stone slabs in the inner walls.

Pitakat Taik  
King Anawrahta built this library in 1058 to house the 30 elephant loads of Buddhist scriptures with which he returned from the sacking of Thaton. It was repaired in 1738. The architecture of the square building is notable for the perforated stone windows, and the plaster carvings on the roof.   

Sulamani Temple  
Built in 1181 by Narapatisithu, this is a fine example of a later, more sophisticated, temple style, with better interior illumination. The interior was once painted with fine frescoes, only traces of which now remain. Nathlaung Kyaung – Built in 931 by king Taungthugyi, about a century before the southern school of Buddhism came to Bagan, this is the only remaining Hindu temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. A central brick pillar supports the dome and crumbled sikhara, which originally had figures of Vishnu on each of the four sides.  

Pahtothamaya Temple  
The interior of this single storey structure is dimly lit with the small, perforated stone windows that typify this early type of Mon-influenced temple. It was probably built during the reign of Kyanzittha (1084-1113).   

Bupaya Pagoda  
Thought to be the oldest in Bagan, dating from the 3rd century, this riverbank pagoda was completely destroyed when it collapsed into the river in the 1975 earthquake, and has been totally rebuilt.   

Mahabodhi Pagoda  
Built during the reign of Nantaungmya (1211-1234), it is modelled after Indian style temples, and is unique in Myanmar. The pyramid shaped spire is covered in niches, each enclosing a seated Buddha figure.   

Shwesandaw Pagoda  
King Anawrahta built this graceful circular pagoda in 1057 following his conquest of Thaton. The five terraces once held terra-cotta plaques showing scenes from the Jataka.  

Lawkahteikpan Temple  
This small temple has frescoes and inscriptions in both Myanmar and Mon scripts.   

Dhammayangyi Temple  
Built by King Narathu (1160- 65) and similar to the Ananda, this later temple is generally considered to possess the finest brickwork of Bagan.   

Mingalazedi Pagoda  
Built three years before the invasion of Kublai Khan's horsemen, in 1284, this pagoda is considered the most beautifully proportioned of all Bagan's monuments. 

Inle Lake 
A relaxing lake resort with villages, and floating gardens located at an altitude of 1328 metres in southern Shan State. It is best known for high quality Shan silk, and for its fishermen, who row their boats standing upright, using one leg to power the oar. The surrounding region includes the picturesque hill stations of Kalaw, Pindaya and Taunggyi and offers opportunities for walking and rock-climbing.   

Ngapali Beach    
Stretching for over 3 km. This resort offers clam blue water, swaying palm trees and an expensive stretch of silvery white sand. With a wide range of accommodation from simple guest houses to luxury accommodation, the resort is easily accessible by air from Yangon, Bagan and Heho.   

Shopping
Unique locally made goods, luxury buys such as precious jewellery of gold and gems, silverware, arts and crafts, lacquerware, paintings,traditional wooden dolls, Mandalay silk, typical Shan and Kachin shoulder bags, foodstuffs, cosmetics and tailor-made clothes.

Festive celebrations
Anadar Pagoda Festival ,Shwe zigon Pagoda.