The Best Things To Do in Bagan Myanmar
Myanmar is the last country of its kind. It’s a special country, filled with some of the nicest people I have met on my travels. When I’m asked my favorite country I always respond with Myanmar because of the small city of Bagan.
Bagan is a magical place, littered with thousands of stunning pagodas. It's like China 30 years ago, but with cell service. Native culture is still everywhere, women wearing rice hates, locals traveling by horse and cart.
You come to Myanmar for the pagodas, but you return because of the people. Even my fellow travelers in Bagan are a pleasant surprise; the visitors I’ve encountered have been very respectful of local traditions and customs, and seem very willing to immerse themselves into the culture of Myanmar.
After two visits, I have compiled a list of my favorite things to do in Myanmar so you can start planning your own trip to this enchanting, magical destination. My best advice for visiting Myanmar? Run, don’t walk, because it’s changing quickly! It’s already changed in three years since my last visit.
In 2016, climbing the pagoda's at sunrise and sunset was the highlight. This is the Shwesandaw pagoda and it was the premier sunrise temple. Now it’s illegal to climb the pagodas.
Pagoda Sunrise & Sunset
Bagan is littered with pagodas. You see them from the time you touch down on the runway until you take off. When I first visited Myanmar, you could climb the pagodas to catch sunrise or sunset, and it’s one of the most magical travel experiences you can have.
As tourism continues to grow in Myanmar, climbing the pagodas is no longer allowed, so you really need to ask the locals for the best spot to catch sunrise or sunset. Since climbing the towers isn’t allowed, there’s now a watchtower where you can go to catch the sunrise or sunset.
Some of my favorite Bagan pagodas include:
Thakya Hit Temple
Myauk Guni
Gu Byauk Nge
Shwesandaw Pagoda
Pagoda 1686
Electric Bike Rentals
My favorite thing to do in Myanmar is to rent an E-Bike and just drive around, getting lost amongst all the pagodas. Bagan is now split into two areas.
Old Bagan is where all of the archaeological sites are, and New Bagan is where most of the locals now live, as well as most tourist services. You can e-bike from Old Bagan to New Bagan and explore both areas at your own leisure. The first time I ever rode an e-bike was in Bagan; it’s not scary at all and it’s really the best way to get around.
Burmese Cooking Class
Cooking classes are a great way to experience the local cuisine and connect to locals. My favorite way to experience a new culture is through the local food. I learned how to make my favorite Burmese dish, Tea Leaf Salad, by taking a cooking class with a local in Myanmar.
If you’d rather eat than cook, there are also food tours you can take to sample Burmese cuisine.
Hot Air Balloon Over Bagan
Taking a hot air balloon ride over Bagan is such an iconic thing to do in Myanmar. It’s pricy, but it’s so worth it! On my first trip to Myanmar, weather issues two days in a row prevented us from going up in a balloon.
November is a much better time to visit, as the weather is more stable and you have a better chance of going up in a balloon. You can ride at sunrise or sunset, and watching the pagodas below you turn golden in the sun is such a magical experience.
Puppet Show
Puppets are kind of a big deal in Myanmar, so going to see a puppet show is one of the more popular things to do in Myanmar. The puppets themselves are works of art, as is the performance. The puppeteers aren’t hidden, so you get to see the hard work that goes into each performance. The shows are often performed over dinner, so you get dinner and a show.
Bagan Archeological Museum
Opened in 1998, this museum houses additional artifacts from the region. While the temples and pagodas are the main draws, it’s interesting to see some of the items that were found in the pagodas. Many Buddha statues and stone tablets are on display, alongside models of the villages and temples of the area. This is a good place to get a better understanding of the region before setting off on your own.
Nyaung U Market
Markets are always one of my favorite places to visit in any country, and this Bagan market is no exception. This is where locals go to buy their food, so you’ll see butcher shops next to vegetable stands, with a few touristy stalls mixed in. If you take a Burmese cooking class, you may even come here to pick out your fresh ingredients before you get started.
Irrawaddy River Cruise
Another popular thing to do in Myanmar is to take a river cruise. There are several different cruises you can take from Bagan, including multi-day barge cruises, day trips or dinner cruises. Seeing a destination from the water always gives me a fresh perspective of the landscape.
What to Buy in Myanmar
When you travel as much as I do, buying souvenirs isn’t always the most practical idea. However, when I visit Myanmar, I always bring back is tamarind candy. Sometimes called tamarind flakes, these sweet and sour treats are always a big hit when I share them with friends back home.
What to Wear in Myanmar
The same rules apply in Myanmar as in any other Southeast Asian country. Be respectful of the local culture, and recognize the significance of religious and cultural sites. The basic rule for men and women is to cover your shoulders and knees when entering any temple. Likewise, you should remove your shoes when entering a pagoda. I recommend wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off, as you’ll be entering a lot of pagodas!
Where to Eat in Bagan
I’ve found a few places that I love to return to when visiting Bagan, and then I always love to explore new restaurants as the city continues to grow. These are some Bagan restaurants that I recommend:
7 Sisters Restaurant - this spot in New Bagan is my favorite place to have Tea Leaf Salad, which is my favorite dish in Myanmar.
The Moon Vegetarian Restaurant - this open-air vegetarian restaurant is just up the road from Ananda Temple, making it a great place to stop for lunch while touring temples.
Aroma 2 - if you have a craving for Indian food in Bagan, I highly recommend Aroma 2.
Bagan Thande Hotel - this is my favorite spot for breakfast in Old Bagan.
Where to Stay in Myanmar
Southeast Asia is a notoriously budget-friendly destination. While this means you can get a spot in a hostel for less than $15, I prefer to take advantage of the low prices and splurge on luxury accommodation. These are a few luxury Bagan hotels I recommend:
Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort - property includes 87 villas and an infinity pool overlooking pagoda ruins.
Bagan Lodge Hotel - 82 villas and 4 suites at the doorstep of Bagan’s best temples
Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort - a luxury resort on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, with 24 acres of landscaped gardens.
Should You Visit Myanmar?
Many people wonder if it’s ethical to visit Myanmar, and many travel writers will suggest it’s not. However, I don’t agree with them. People are not their government or politics.
Americans should understand that better than anyone else right now. As travelers, we have a responsibility to embrace a culture and the people of that culture.
We have a responsibility to share our own culture, ideals, priorities and social norms. This is what brings people together and this is what brings about positive change in the world. So, should you visit Myanmar? Absolutely!