Geography
Located in central Myanmar, Bagan is 400 miles north of the
capital Yangon.
Language
Aside from the Myanmar language, English is spoken at hotels and
other tourist spots.
Time Difference
+6.5 GMT
Weather
Bagan enjoys a dry climate throughout most of the year. Average
temperature
during the summer months (April to September) is around 32 degrees,
and around 28 degrees the rest of the year.
Entrance Fee
All visitors arriving in Bagan are required to pay the US$10
Bagan Archeological Zone Entrance Fee.
Currency
Local currency is the Kyat. United States Dollars (US$) and
Foreign Exchange
Certificates (FEC) are accepted at hotels.
Tipping
Tipping is not encouraged.
Donation
Donation can be made at every pagodas and
temples. There is an office where people can donate money.
Air
The airport in Bagan is Nyaung U airport, located in Nyaung
U region. There are daily flights from Yangon to Bagan. The
carrier flights are provided by Yangon Airways, Air
Mandalay, Myanma Airways and Air Bagan. The flights take
about an hour and ten minutes from Yangon.
Cruises
There are cruises Mandalay to and from Bagan. Road to
Mandalay and Pandaw 1947 has summer and winter cruise
schedules.
Train
Trains from Yangon and Mandalay stop at Tharzi junction.
This station is where it is accessible to Bagan by a 3 hour
drive.
Express Bus
There are regular coaches from Yangon to Bagan and Mandalay
to Bagan. It will take about 10 hours from Yangon to Bagan.
Taxi
There are private taxis in Bagan. You only need to let the
hotel, if you needed any taxi. They can arrange it for you.
Horse Cart
Sight seeing around in Bagan can give you a great pleasure
and at the same time going around with horse carts can be an
exciting experience. To rent a horse cart, you can just ask
the hotel you are staying and they can arrange a horse cart
and a driver to go out. The charges are per day.
Bicycle
If you want to roam around by yourself, then you can rent
bicycles from hotels and inn. They can arrange this for you.
You will need some sun cream and water, if you would go on a
bicycle.
Boat
Boats are available next to the Bupaya Pagoda for short
trips down the peaceful Ayeyarwaddy River. Going down the
Ayeyarwaddy can give you a marvellous journey.
Walking
Walking along dusty rural paths and stumbling across temples
and stupas is the best way to feel a part of Bagan. A map of
Bagan will be useful for one while walking around the
region.
What to wear
Bagan has a hot and humid weather. Light
clothing will be appropriate for visitors. Easy to wear,
cotton and cool fabrics are ideal all year round. Sensible
walking shoes would be appropriate which can be easily
removed when visiting temples and pagodas. Shorts, short
skirts or revealing clothing are not appropriate especially
when visiting temples or any religious site. Hat, caps are
also needed if you are travelling all day in Bagan.
Camera
Video cameras and photo cameras are
allowed to be taken onto the temples and pagodas. But there
may be some charges for carrying theses.
Water
Visitors are advised to drink only bottled or boiled water.
Bottled drinking water
is available in the guest rooms, compliments of Thiripyitsaya.
Electricity
220 Volts
Souvenirs, paintings and lacquerware from
Bagan are available at mostly everywhere. Most of the main
temples and pagodas have stalls with displays of souvenirs
and paintings. There are also stairway stalls selling books,
and Myanmar made crafts. The paintings and souvenirs are at
affordable prices. Bargaining is possible at some places.
Bagan is famous for one product in particular, lacquer ware.
The products can be seen everywhere and can be bought at
reasonable prices. There are lacquerware manufacturing
factories which have been producing the finest quality wares
for decades. The exquisite works of the step by step of
making lacquerware can be seen, as a sight-seeing event.
Workshops are on-site and they will happily show you around.
While you are in Bagan, it is worth visiting theses places.
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