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Bagan & Central Myanmar

Bagan & Central Myanmar

©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

Bagan & Central

Includes  Why Go? (Toungoo). .143 This heartland of the has been the location of Nay Pyi Taw. . . . . 146 three former Burmese capitals – , and Taungoo – ...... 149 plus the latest surreal one, Nay Pyi Taw. Of this quartet, it’s Pyay...... 151 Bagan with its wondrous vista of and , many dating to the 12th century, that’s the star attraction. The tall- Bagan...... 156 est and most majestic of Bagan’s temples, built of brick, dec- Nyaung U...... 158 orated inside with beautiful frescoes and topped with gilded Old Bagan...... 164 pinnacles, mix Hindu and Buddhist images with locally New Bagan brewed (spirits) in nooks and crannies. (Bagan Myothit). . . 167 Most visitors fly directly to Bagan, but central Myanmar Mt Popa...... 172 also provides scenic rewards for adventurous travellers. It may be known as the ‘dry zone’, but the region is far from Salay...... 173 a desert. Beside highways and rickety train tracks amble ox ...... 176 carts through rice fields and rolling plains, all rimmed by the Shan Mountains to the east and the snaking Ayeyar- wady (Irrawaddy) River to the west, creating scenes that hark back centuries. Best Places to Eat ¨¨Black Bamboo (p162) ¨¨Weather Spoon’s Bagan When to Go (p161) Bagan °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm ¨¨ Be Kind to Animals the 50/122 20/500 Moon (p166) 40/104 16/400 ¨¨Pleasant Island (p177) 30/86 12/300

20/68 8/200 Best Places to 10/50 4/100 0/32 0 Sleep J FDM A M J J A S O N ¨¨Blue Bird Hotel (p170) ¨¨Ostello Bello (p168) Nov–Feb Most Mar–May Hot Jun–Oct Rainy visitors come in season, when season; the land- ¨¨Lei Thar Gone (p155) ‘winter’, when daytime tempera- scape is lush and ¨¨Myanmar Beauty Guest temperatures are tures boil at up to hotel rates are at House II (p144) moderately ‘cool’ 100°F (40°C) and their lowest. at around 86°F. higher. ¨¨Win Unity (p176) k 40 km ) 20 miles Lawksaw ) Than Daung Gyi Pinlon

Hsipaw (68mi) River

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STATE Sinbyugyun RAKHINE Taking a sunset boat ride boat a sunset Taking the enjoying Old Bagan, from along life of rhythms peaceful the waterfront. 2

1 Bagan & Central Myanmar Highlights up the steps to the top of an of the top to up the steps a jaw- for ancient the temple- over view dropping Bagan. plain of studded Pauk

REGION

BaganMAGWE & Central Myanmar & Central Myanmar Highlights (31mi) Chin State 142

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