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Traveling Myanmar on Your Own: Mandalay - Bagan and Pukam Travel Information
Bagan and Pukam Travel Information http://www.hotsia.com > Traveling Myanmar on Your Own > Mandalay > Bagan and Pukam Travel Information. Explore Bagan (Bagan) or Pukam in Mandalay Region. Visit Bagan (Bagan), dress in traditional Burmese royal attire, have Thanaka applied by Burmese girls, and stay at these two hotels: 1. Grand Empire Hotel 2. New. Travel information for Bagan or Pukam (BAGAN).
Bagan is a city famous for its sea of pagodas, attracting tourists worldwide. Bagan (Bagan) is located in the dry central region of Myanmar on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, 145 km southwest of Mandalay. It covers an area of about 65 square kilometers. These pagodas were built from the mid-11th century to the late 13th century. Ananda Temple is one of the largest and best-preserved, constructed in 1105.
Bagan (Bagan) has 2,217 pagodas. The first pagoda is Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta. Bagan is divided into three zones: the Old Bagan area where you can see the sea of pagodas, the New Bagan zone, and Nyaung-U town where Nyaung-U airport is located. Backpackers often stay here and find taxis to explore.
To visit Old Bagan, I recommend arriving at Nyaung-U, finding accommodation, and arranging transport from there to explore the sea of pagodas. This zone has hotels, restaurants, and all necessary services. For travel from Mandalay to Bagan, I used OK company’s service. The fare is about 300 baht per person (may be slightly off but affordable). The journey including a stop to eat fried sparrows took about 5 hours.
There are several daily bus trips. Tickets can be booked at the Fortune Hotel in Mandalay where we stayed. The bus picks up right at the hotel. If you have money or limited time, you can also fly from Mandalay to Bagan. Another option is a boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan, taking about 8 hours with a fare around 1500 baht. Accommodation in Bagan is divided into three zones. For backpackers, I recommend Nyaung-U with guesthouses and hotels at various price levels.
Although cheaper than other zones, prices in Nyaung-U are still relatively high. Hotel prices here start around 1000 baht even for guesthouses. During my visit, I stayed at the Grand Empire Hotel, paying about 1000 baht per night for 2 nights. Another hotel I stayed at is recommended by guidebooks. Grand Empire Hotel is outside the main tourist walking area but offers good value for the price.
New Park Hotel is located in the backpacker alley zone, but comparing value and service, I preferred Grand Empire Hotel. Accommodation in Old Bagan and New Bagan zones mainly caters to tour groups or tourists with higher budgets who want shuttle services, private tours, or a peaceful stay with massage and spa services. Choose these zones if you want full amenities and comfort. For staying in Old Bagan,
I recommend Hotel Tharabar Gate for its great location and beautiful views of the old city. Staying here means enjoying pagoda views rather than river views. For New Bagan, I suggest Blue Bird Hotel based on Agoda reviews for value and popularity. Food in Bagan includes Burmese dishes, Indian-style roti and tea stalls near the morning market, and restaurants serving Western, Indian, and Burmese cuisine in the backpacker alley.
Bagan is a tourist-friendly city with plenty of food options. Mr.Hotsia stayed in Nyaung-U where the morning market offers local food. In the backpacker alley, I recommend Shwe Yar Su for local dishes and Myanmar Beer Station for refreshing beer. The main attraction in Bagan is the sea of pagodas, known in English as the Ruins of Bagan, with about 2000 pagodas visible from high viewpoints resembling a sea.
Visiting at sunrise or sunset is especially beautiful and cooler. I went at sunrise and enjoyed the pleasant weather before returning around mid-morning. Besides sightseeing pagodas, activities include horse carriage rides around town, traditional massages in the backpacker alley, and dressing up in royal costumes. I spent three nights in Bagan, exploring the morning market, strolling the town, and enjoying local Bagan and Pukam cuisine.
My top impressions of Bagan are: first, the sea of pagodas (Ruins of Bagan); second, the giant eggplants of Pukam; third, visiting local Bagan villagers and having traditional massages on bamboo beds; and fourth, enjoying local food at Shwe Yar Su while sipping cold Myanmar beer. Truly an amazing experience, Mr.Hotsia’s satisfying trip. Ballooning over Bagan’s sea of pagodas, Burmese girl selling betel nuts.
Breakfast in Pukam at Grand Empire Hotel: delicious Burmese noodles. New Park Hotel in Bagan recommended accommodation. Horse carriage rides in Bagan, traditional Bagan massage, waiting for the Ruins of Tanaka, applying Thanaka by Mr.Hotsia. Balloon launch site is near Nyaung-U town next to a temple. Horse carriages in Bagan.
Burmese girl applying Thanaka to me in Bagan. Grand Empire Hotel where I stayed. Dressing up before going out. Walking around Nyaung-U town. Atmosphere of Nyaung-U town. GPS coordinates (POI): 21 11 39.899 N, 94 53 54.989 E. Dressed as a Burmese king, taking photos with a Pukam girl. Nyaung-U has ATMs and electric bike rentals. Backpacker zone atmosphere. Balloon over Bagan’s sea of pagodas. GPS: 21 9 49.169 N, 94 51 57.713 E.
Burmese girl with Mr.Hotsia. Massage service available in-room. Traditional village-style massage at a local home. Atmosphere of a Bagan village house. Horse carriage tour in Bagan. GPS: 21 11 39.671 N, 94 54 25.871 E and 21 11 45.839 N, 94 54 28.854 E. Eating snacks with a Burmese girl in Bagan, Pukam. Riverside atmosphere by the Irrawaddy River. Morning coffee in front of Bagan market. Selling Burmese snacks at dawn. GPS: 21 11 58.433 N, 94 54 32.459 E. Giant eggplants at Bagan morning market. Morning market atmosphere. Eating giant eggplants in Bagan.
