[2025 Nyaung-U Attraction] Travel Guide for Shwesandaw Pagoda (Updated Apr)

Bagan is renowned for its sunrise and sunset views, and the best place to enjoy these is undoubtedly Shwesandaw Pagoda, the tallest pagoda in Bagan. The pagoda has five levels, each with a terrace to linger on, but you have to climb steep stairs first. Those afraid of heights might feel shaky, but once you reach the top, it's worth the effort. Shwesandaw Pagoda covers a large area, and because of its height and the lack of tall buildings in Bagan, the view from the top is excellent. You can even see the Irrawaddy River. Every day at sunrise and sunset, the place is packed with people eager to witness the beautiful scenery. During sunrise, you can also see hot air balloons drifting into the sky, which is quite a lucky sight. The pagoda is a standard red-brick structure, with the bottom two levels in red brick and the top three levels painted white, making it quite striking. Besides the panoramic views, the pagoda also houses relics of Buddha's hair and a large reclining Buddha statue, which are worth seeing. However, after the pandemic, for safety and heritage preservation reasons, climbing pagodas in Bagan has been completely banned. Climbing Shwesandaw Pagoda to enjoy the sunrise and sunset is now a thing of the past, which is quite a pity.

It had have a long time fame of permitting for seeing sunset view once but now it can't be due to long term mantainance.Great scene of portrait view it have with wide green lawn and steep stairs of old temple for photography enthusiast. Used to be the climb for sunrises, but not now. This place is still beautiful, the symmetry is well worth a visit. There’s an amazing fritters/pakode place a few clicks away from here under a huge tree, yiu would see locals flocking! Check the pics below to find this hidden spot. Good view but it's so crowded here. There are plenty of other pagodas with less people and equally good view from the top. Not good for sunset since you have all the buses and parking lot in the picture...better for sunrise.#nationalpark

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck Experience the charm of the Land of Ten Thousand Pagodas 🛕 full of ancient temples, peaceful atmospheres, and spectacular balloon views in the morning 🎈 🛫 How to get to Bagan 1️⃣ Fly: • From Bangkok ➡ Yangon (RGN) ✈️ It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes • Take a domestic flight from Yangon ➡ Bagan (Nyaung U Airport - NYU) It takes about 1 hour 🚀 2️⃣ By land: • From Yangon, take a VIP bus 🚌 It takes about 9 hours (departure at night Wake up early in Bagan) • Or choose the ancient train 🚂, chill but takes longer (about 17 hours) 🌟 Day 1: Ancient pagodas & romantic sunset 🛬 Morning: • Arrive at Nyaung U Airport or bus station • Rent an electric bike (E-bike) 🚲 or hire a tuk-tuk 🛺 to travel in Bagan • Stop at Nyaung U Market 🛍️ to see the local way of life 🛕 Line: • Visit Ananda Temple, the most beautiful temple in Bagan • Stop by Shwezigon Pagoda, a golden pagoda The symbol of the city • Take beautiful photos at Htilominlo Temple, a classic red brick pagoda 🍽️ Lunch: • Eat local Burmese food at The Moon (Vegetarian Restaurant) 🥗 Delicious and nice atmosphere 🌅 Dinner: • Ride an E-bike to the Shwesandaw Pagoda viewpoint ⛰️ Wait to see the most beautiful sunset in Bagan • Or try taking a boat 🚤 down the Ayeyarwady River to watch the sunset 🍲 Dinner: • Try Burmese food at Weather Spoon’s 🍛 or local restaurants in Nyaung U 🏨 Stay overnight in Bagan: • Recommend small boutique accommodations Or a chic guesthouse in Old Bagan or Nyaung U 🏡 🌄 Day 2: Balloon Flight & Secret Pagoda 🎈 Early morning (If you want the ultimate experience!): • Take a hot air balloon ride to see the view of Bagan from above 🌤️ (Recommended to book in advance, the price is quite high but worth it!) • Or if you don't take a balloon ride, you can go to the Bu Paya Pagoda or Law Ka Ou Shaung Pagoda viewpoints to see balloons floating in the sky 🍳 Afternoon: • Have a simple breakfast at Bagan Zay Cafe ☕ • Visit secret temples that are not very touristy, such as Dhammayangyi Temple, the largest brick temple in Bagan 🍽️ Lunch: • Have a light local meal before getting ready to travel back 🛫 Afternoon: • Travel back to Nyaung U Airport to fly back to Yangon Or continue to the next destination ✈️ 💡 Tips for Bagan trip: ✅ Dress code: Dress appropriately when entering the temple. Wear a Burmese sarong or tube skirt to add a local feel. 🧣 ✅ Bring a mask: Because some areas may be dusty. 🌬️ ✅ Recommended souvenirs: Burmese handicrafts 🧵 Sand paintings and jade jewelry ✨ 2 days and 1 night in Bagan is enough to capture beautiful memories of the land of thousands of pagodas and the most beautiful sunset in the world. 🌅🏯🌏 #Travel plan giveaway #Visit ancient sites

Nestled in central Myanmar, Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its sprawling plains dotted with over 2,000 ancient temples and pagodas. As the heart of the Pagan Kingdom (9th–13th centuries), Bagan offers an unparalleled journey into the history, culture, and spirituality of Myanmar. 🏯 Must-Visit Temples 1. Ananda Temple: Known for its golden spires and serene Buddha statues, it’s a masterpiece of Mon and Burmese architecture. 2. Dhammayangyi Temple: The largest temple in Bagan, famous for its intricate brickwork and mysterious history. 3. Shwesandaw Pagoda: A favorite for sunrise and sunset views over the temple-strewn landscape. 4. Sulamani Temple: Admired for its exquisite frescoes and detailed stucco carvings. 🌅 Breathtaking Sunrise and Sunset Witness the sunrise as hot air balloons drift over the ancient temples, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink. For sunset, head to spots like Bu Paya Pagoda by the Irrawaddy River for awe-inspiring views. 🚲 Getting Around Rent e-bikes to explore at your own pace or join a guided tour to learn about the rich history. A hot air balloon ride is a must-do for panoramic views of the temples from above. 📚 Cultural Experiences Visit the Bagan Archaeological Museum for insights into the region’s history. Try your hand at making traditional lacquerware, a local craft unique to Bagan. 🍲 Savor Local Flavors Enjoy Burmese dishes like mohinga (rice noodle soup) and tea leaf salad at local restaurants. Don’t miss street food stalls offering grilled meats, tropical fruits, and refreshing tamarind drinks. 📍 Travel Tips Best Time to Visit: November to February for cooler weather. Getting There: Fly into Nyaung U Airport or take a scenic bus ride from Mandalay or Yangon. ✨ Why Visit Bagan? Bagan is a place of magic and history, where ancient temples, serene landscapes, and spiritual traditions create an unforgettable experience. Whether you're marveling at architectural wonders, watching a stunning sunset, or simply soaking in the tranquility, Bagan is a destination that stays with you forever. #ExploreBagan #MyanmarTravel #AncientTemples #CulturalHeritage #BucketList

📍Shwesandaw Pagoda, Bagan, Myanmar 🕖Daily 4:30~17:00 📝Shwesandaw Pagoda, which means sacred golden hair, is a temple built in the Nyaung-U area in 1057 to commemorate the conquest of Thaton by King Anoratha. ◽️It is extremely hot in April and May, so it is better to visit during the dry season. ◽️If you go to Bagan, be sure to see the sunrise and sunset! ◽️The area is very large, so it would be good to rent an e-bike and get around, but I am not good at riding, so I took a taxi tour. ◽️Hot air balloons are said to be temporarily suspended in April and May due to the heat wave this year, so please note💯 #Tourist Attraction Review

Shwasendaw Pagoda in Bagan, Myanmar. This unique pagoda is very interesting in its architecture. This old pagoda also holds so much Myanmar culture and history. The buddhism influence can also be felt strongly here. This is truly a place worth to go. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

Why do there are so many stupas in Myanmar, because no matter whether it is the poor or the rich, everyone has the money to build a tower to make atonement. (White is commonly known as the cream cake tower, the most beautiful stupa ever seen in this trip) The country with faith, everyone is very friendly, like to take pictures with you, but see the camera will be ashamed. Although poor, happiness is not low at all.

The Ruishan Duta is one of the most famous pagodas in Myanmar. Because it is the tallest pagoda that Bagan can afford to visit, it is the ideal place to see the city of Vantaa. Visitors who come here to watch the sunset every day make this magnificent building the most prosperous place in Bagan. The tower of the Ruishan Duta is in the shape of a Mayan pyramid. The base is square. The tower has five steps on all sides, and the platform on the top floor has two octagonal bases. It can become a well-deserved sunset tower in Myanmar. The height of the Ruishan Duta is unmatched by other temple towers. And its superior geographical position makes the tower of the tower look fascinating. The pagoda, known as the Xu Sanduo by the Chinese people, is a majestic building. It used to be a lot of net red masterpieces. Maybe you dont care about it. The cover of a magazine is the Rushan Tower of Bagan.

Despite the ravages of war, there are still more than 2,000 pagodas on the land of Bagan. Carriage, the locals are called horse car, the seat is small, not very comfortable, but sitting on it, listening to the crisp horseshoe, slowly fluttering across the green field on both sides, scattered in the field of various Buddhas Tower, that is a kind of enjoyment. Ruishan Tuota is very tall, and it is also the best place to see the sunset. The tower has five floors. The more you go up, the wider the field of vision. In the wilderness, the towers are all star-studded stupas. No, it is better! Standing in the golden sunset, this scene is very shocking. This is a huge project that requires a lot of manpower, material resources and time to complete!

Going to Ruishan to watch the sunset. When the sunset is approaching, it is a cloud of clouds. But there is a little oblique sunlight between the clouds. I have not seen the situation, but I have been on the road. At the intersection of Shantuta, sit in the back seat and take a leisurely observation of the visitors. Don't look at the usual time when I visit the small tower, I can hardly touch other tourists, but the road in front of the Ruishanta is very lively every day at sunset. Everyone is like a market, gathered from all directions, and there is a carriage on the road. Bicycles, electric bicycles, motorcycles, all kinds of cars, buses, double-cars, etc. have been passing through the past.

The Festival of Lights is one of the most important festivals in Myanmar. Every year, people celebrate the arrival of one of the festivals. When I came to Ruishan Tuo, I happened to meet the local festival of lights, and this great stupa became the center of the whole event. The sorghums came to the scene to chanting, and the devout believers crowded the temple.

In the lazy afternoon, I will meet you. When I first saw it, I was shocked by the beautiful pagoda. I asked thousands of times under the stupa and could not find an answer; you stood in this great land for thousands of years and created the immortal Burmese legend. shuttles through the cattle cart trails in Bagan. Every stupa is worth stopping, savoring the exquisite carvings, the magnificent appearance, listening to it whispering the long history.

It is the messenger of peace, marrying the bridge of friendship between the Burmese and Mon people; it is the great Ruishan Tuo, the fireworks that will never be annihilated in people's hearts. Compared with the famous Yangon Shwedagon Pagoda, the name of Ruishan Tuo is rarely known. However, this stupa is actually one meter higher than the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. The two golden umbrellas at the top of the stupa symbolize the peace between the Burmese and Mon people. Under the Rishan Tuo Pagoda, there is a museum with many precious and precious Burmese artifacts and detailed pictures showing the ancient history of the pagoda. Here, you can travel through the long river of history and visit the mysterious history of Myanmar. Once again, I will pay homage to the great Ruishantu Temple. Whether it is the towering ladder, the exquisite clay sculpture, the great pagoda, and the charming lights under the night, it is deeply in my mind.