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Brick temples rising out of the misty Bagan plain just before sunrise

Home › Sacred places › Bagan Temple Plains

Pilgrimage & heritage route · from Nyaung-U (Bagan) — reached from Yangon or Mandalay

Bagan Temple Plains route, cost & what to book

Thousands of Buddhist temples and stupas scattered across a dry plain on a bend of the Irrawaddy, from the same era and ambition as Angkor Wat but seen by a fraction of the visitors, explored at your own pace by e-bike or horse cart.

Photo: KX Studio from Shanghai · CC BY 2.0 · source

Duration3 days · 2 nights
Starts fromNyaung-U
Cost from₹13,000 each
Stops5
Best timeNovember to February, the cool dry season; avoid March-May (very hot, often 40°C) and the June-September monsoon
Good forSolo, Couples, Families, Groups

Thousands of Buddhist temples and stupas scattered across a dry plain on a bend of the Irrawaddy, from the same era and ambition as Angkor Wat but seen by a fraction of the visitors, explored at your own pace by e-bike or horse cart. Sunrise over the plain — spires catching the light, hot-air balloons drifting between them — is the closest most travellers will get to having an Angkor-scale view to themselves. Myanmar's political situation has remained unstable in recent years and several governments maintain do-not-travel advisories for parts of the country — check your own government's current advisory before booking, even though the core Yangon–Bagan–Mandalay tourist route has continued to operate.

Step 2 of 6Next: Route
Your trip plan · PDF

Bagan Temple Plains, planned for you

Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.

  1. Day 1 Nyaung-U to Ananda Temple
    • TravelNyaung-U₹4,928
    • TravelAnanda Temple₹1,320
  2. Day 2 Shwezigon Pagoda to Dhammayangyi Temple
  3. Day 3 Sunrise viewpoint

₹49 once, 6 pages. Secure payment by Razorpay, instant download. Already bought? Get your download

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The route, stop by stop

The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.

Route

Stops

Nyaung-U → Ananda Temple → Shwezigon Pagoda → Dhammayangyi Temple → Sunrise viewpoint · Directions in Google Maps ↗

  1. 1
    Overnight bus from Yangon (about 9-10hrs) or Mandalay (about 5-6hrs); collect the Bagan Archaeological Zone entry pass at the checkpoint on arrival, cash only in kyat Map ↗
  2. 2
    E-bike from your Nyaung-U guesthouse, about 15 minutes Map ↗
  3. 3
    Short e-bike ride north, on the way back from Ananda Map ↗
  4. 4
    E-bike across the plain to Bagan's largest single temple Map ↗
  5. 5
    Horse cart or e-bike before dawn to one of the open viewing spots (paid viewing mounds were closed some years ago) Map ↗

Travel legs add up to about ₹7,832 per person.

Step 3 of 6Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.

Your group₹26,000
Couple · from Nyaung-U
Per person₹13,000

A do-it-yourself budget: trains and buses, simple lodges and temple meals. Paid darshan and donations are extra.

Step 4 of 6Next: What to book

What to book ahead

Step 5 of 6Next: Stay & food

Where to stay and eat

Stay

Nyaung-U has the widest range of budget guesthouses, from around ₹1,300-1,800 ($15-20) a night; Old Bagan and New Bagan have pricier options closer to specific temple clusters.

Food

Nyaung-U's market street and small teahouses serve Burmese curries, mohinga, and tea-leaf salad for ₹90-260 ($1-3) a plate; a few rooftop cafes near Ananda charge more for a sunset view.

Local tip: Skip the crowded official sunrise spots and ask your guesthouse for that week's quieter, informal viewing mound — locals rotate the recommendation as crowds shift.
Step 6 of 6Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How many days do you need for Bagan Temple Plains?

3 days · 2 nights, starting from Nyaung-U (Bagan) — reached from Yangon or Mandalay.

What is the best time for Bagan Temple Plains?

November to February, the cool dry season; avoid March-May (very hot, often 40°C) and the June-September monsoon.

How much does Bagan Temple Plains cost?

From about ₹13,000 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹7,832.

What needs to be booked in advance?

Bus or flight to Nyaung-U (must book): Overnight bus is the budget route; domestic flights from Yangon/Mandalay are faster but pricier. Book a day or two ahead in high season. Archaeological Zone pass (must book): Collected at a checkpoint entering the zone, cash only in kyat; keep the ticket as spot checks happen at major temples. E-bike rental: Arrange through your guesthouse — better maintained than street stalls, and they'll usually swap a faulty one on the spot.

Where do pilgrims stay?

Nyaung-U has the widest range of budget guesthouses, from around ₹1,300-1,800 ($15-20) a night; Old Bagan and New Bagan have pricier options closer to specific temple clusters.

What about food?

Nyaung-U's market street and small teahouses serve Burmese curries, mohinga, and tea-leaf salad for ₹90-260 ($1-3) a plate; a few rooftop cafes near Ananda charge more for a sunset view.

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: KX Studio from Shanghai · CC BY 2.0 · source · Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: DIMMIS · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Philip Nalangan · CC BY 4.0 · source

3 days · 2 nights · —
Route