Bagan, Archaeological site in Mandalay Region, Myanmar.
Bagan is an archaeological area along the Irrawaddy River with more than two thousand brick religious structures. The buildings show varying heights and floor plans, with some featuring narrow corridors lined with murals and others offering open terraces overlooking the dry plain.
The rulers of the Pagan Kingdom built thousands of religious monuments in this region between the ninth and thirteenth centuries. The kingdom collapsed in the late thirteenth century, but the compound remained a pilgrimage destination for later generations.
Local people continue to use many smaller temples for daily prayers and offerings with fresh flowers and candles. Monks in red robes walk through the compound, creating a living connection between the historical setting and contemporary religious life on the ground.
Most temples can be entered during daylight hours, with shoes and hats removed before stepping inside. Early morning or late afternoon offers cooler temperatures and softer light for exploring the dirt paths between the buildings.
Some temples contain inscriptions in multiple languages, including Mon, Pyu and ancient Burmese, which helped scholars decode lost scripts. The layout of the buildings follows no strict urban planning, instead reflecting individual donations over centuries.
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