Mr Hotsia of Bagan BAGAN studio

Mr Hotsia of Bagan BAGAN studio: Journey to the Heart of Bagan

When talking about Bagan in Myanmar, many people imagine the sea of thousands of pagodas stretching as far as the eye can see. I, Mr Hotsia, have traveled here many times and want to share my real experiences from the field in this city, not just general articles. Because Bagan is not only an ancient city with beautiful pagodas but also full of vibrant life, local markets, traditional food, and interesting lifestyles that travelers like me must record.

Atmosphere and Travel in Bagan

Bagan is located in Nyaung-U Province near the Irrawaddy River, the main river of Myanmar. I like to start my day by walking through the morning market in front of Nyaung-U Market. It is full of life, with Indian-style tea and fresh Burmese food. I usually stop by a local restaurant called “Shwe Yar Su” in Backpack Alley, which offers both local dishes and Myanmar Beer Station. The food is so good I had to return several times. If you want to try rich chicken curry, I recommend the restaurant opposite New Park Hotel. The food here is freshly made every day, and eating it with hot steamed rice is the true taste of Bagan.

Horse Cart Experience in Nyaung-U

One of my favorite activities in Bagan is riding a horse cart around the city. The horse carts in Nyaung-U circle the town and sometimes go to the banks of the Irrawaddy River. I once bargained the price down to 10 US dollars for one hour. Although the city views are not spectacular, riding the horse cart allows you to absorb the atmosphere slowly and experience the local way of life up close. The city streets are quite dusty, so don’t forget to bring a face mask.

Connection to the Irrawaddy River and Kachin State

If you want to expand your travel route, I recommend experiencing the source of the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State. Traveling from Bagan to Myitsone, where the Mekha and Mali Rivers converge to form the main Irrawaddy River, is an exciting experience to see nature still preserved. Additionally, Kachin State has Indawgyi Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Southeast Asia. It is a wildlife sanctuary home to many rare bird species.Read more about Kachin StateandIndawgyi LakeFor nature and bird lovers

Highlights of BAGAN studio in Bagan

During my stay in Bagan, I had the opportunity to visit BAGAN studio, a place that collects photographs and art telling the story of this city deeply. This is not just an ordinary photo studio but a museum that showcases the beauty and history of Bagan through the perspectives of local photographers and artists. Talking with the studio owner helped me understand the lifestyle and spirit of Bagan much more deeply.

Lifestyle and Street Food in Bagan

In Nyaung-U, besides the morning market, the small streets in Backpack Alley are full of diverse restaurants from Burmese, Indian, to Western cuisines. I tried fresh hot Burmese street desserts that are sweet, creamy, and mildly fragrant—definitely a must-try when visiting here. For those who love authentic local street food, I recommend walking around in the morning or evening to experience the real life of Bagan people. If anyone is interested in a deep dive into local food, I have written about it.Food in Bagan, Myanmarwith complete details

Travel Tips

Bagan is a city suited for slow travel to absorb the atmosphere and learn history on your own. Renting a motorcycle or horse cart is a good way to explore the city. If you want to watch the sunrise or sunset over the sea of pagodas, I recommend renting a taxi as it is more cost-effective than horse carts for longer routes. Don’t forget to bring a face mask because most city roads are dusty. Also, talking with locals will give you deeper experiences and perspectives of Bagan that you won’t find in books or websites.

Summary

Bagan is not just a city with thousands of pagodas but a city full of vibrant life, lifestyles, and warm people. Mr Hotsia recommends everyone to travel here themselves, experience the morning market scents, street food, horse cart rides, and visit BAGAN studio to fully understand Bagan’s history and culture. For those who want to extend their Myanmar trip, try visitingKachin StateandIndawgyi Lakewhich are nearby to see new perspectives of this country completely.