Bagan

Discover historical Bagan. The ancient city was founded in AD 849 by the Myanmar, or Burmans, as the capital of their empire. It is one of the most amazing archaeological sites in the world - 5000 temples, stupas (Buddhist dome-shaped monuments believed to contain relics of the Buddha himself) and pagodas lie scattered across an area of 42 sq km (16.2 sq miles) on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, testifying to the power and status of Bagan in bygone times. The most significant pagoda is the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed in 1057 by King Anawrahta, the founder of the Myanmar dynasty, as a place of prayer and meditation. The informative Archaeological Museum displays murals, plaster carvings and other artefacts from the empire. Many visitors take a river excursion to take in large stretches of the site, which is particularly beautiful at sunset.