Bagan is a wonderful landscape with thousands of pagodas amidst an impressive scenery. Bagan is even mystic with these wonderful sunsets which enchant everyone. These are the things to do in Bagan.
Visit Shwesandaw: The Sunset Stupa
Shwesandaw is one of only five terraced temples that visitors are permitted to climb (the others are Thitsa Wadi, South and North Guni, and Pyathatgyi), but the views from its five concentric terraces are arguably the best you'll find around Bagan.
Steep stairs lead up from the base to the upper terraces; a steel bannister provides some leverage for climbers with less than sure steps. From the base to the hti at the top, Shwesandaw measures 328 feet; at the upper terraces between 200-300 feet in the air, travelers take in the views of the Ayeyarwady River in the far distance, along with buildings in closer proximity, among them Thatbyinnyu Temple (can't miss it, this is Bagan's tallest temple) and the Bagan Archaeological Museum.
The 1975 earthquake that devastated Bagan also left its mark on Shwesandaw: the hti you see at the very top is a replica of another that was toppled during the tremors (the original is now housed safely in the Archaeological Museum). The temple is also missing hundreds ot clay reliefs bearing images from the Jataka Tales.
Shwesandaw is open all year round, but for the best all-around views, go during Bagan's winter season between November and February, when the sky is clear and the visibility is at its best and brightest. You should also time your visit to coincide with either sunrise or sunset, when the sun makes the brick surfaces of the nearby temples glow a rich, mellow orange.
Fly in a Hot-Air Balloon Over Bagan
Bagan's temples are best viewed from a high vantage-point, and there's no higher (or more jaw-droppingly gorgeous) perspective than the one you'll get from a hot air balloon gliding 2,000 feet in the air.
Unlike helicopter and ultralight flights, balloon flights are relatively silent and static, combining with the reddish angled light of the sunrise to create the best conditions for viewing Bagan's temple plain. If you've got the cash to spare (flight rates cost between $300 to $500 per person, read about money in Myanmar) and if you're visiting during the short ballooning season (from October to mid-April), put balloon flying over Bagan on your must-do list.
Three companies provide ballooning services over Bagan: Golden Eagle Ballooning, Oriental Ballooning, and the company that started it all, Balloons Over Bagan. Flights can last between 45 minutes to an hour, not including the pre-dawn pickup from your hotel.
Watch the Sun Set Over the Irrawaddy River
If balloon flights are beyond the reach of your budget, you can still climb on a dwindling number of multi-tiered temples to see Bagan's gorgeous sunsets reflecting off the Irrawaddy River in the distance.
Before tourism became a major Bagan concern, most temples permitted visitors to climb to their upper decks. But after increased tourist traffic and not a few accidents marred the temple-climbing experience, the government has cracked down: visitors may only climb five temples in Bagan, and additional closures can be announced without notice.
Two temples alongside the Irrawaddy River will never be affected by these closures, as they lack tiers to climb, thus making them excellent (and much safer) candidates for sunset viewing. If you're mobility-challenged, lacking travel insurance or just prefer riverside views, head off to the gourd-shaped Bupaya and the sacred Lawkananda temples for your sunset fix.
Source Internet
