Nyaung-U (Bagan) Activities

Myanmar is not Asia’s most equipped country for specific children’s activities, but there are a number of options that can be enjoyed by all the family. If you have younger children, it is a good idea to bring some toys and games along with you, but be warned that playing cards are banned in the country to deter gambling.

Horseback Riding
For older children, there is some great horseback riding to be done in Bagan. Mount Popa is one of the most popular areas for riding trips, which can be easily organised. The best option is to speak to the reception staff in your hotel that will be able to assist you in arranging a horseback riding excursion.

Hot Air Ballooning
All the family can enjoy this activity. Balloons over Bagan organise sightseeing balloon trips and are a professional outfit with insurance cover through Lloyds of London. Hot air ballooning is best in the late afternoon or early morning, when visibility is good and the light is perfect for photography. It’s a spectacular and different way to see the sights of Bagan. Balloons over Bagan have an office at Bagan Hotel as well as in Yangon. Phone: +95 62 703112.

Puppet Shows
A traditional Burmese puppet show is a great way to entertain children of all ages. There are a number of riverside restaurants that put on shows in a great setting, with a mix of traditional dance and music as well as the puppet shows. Your hotel reception will be able to advise you as to the nearest and most suitable venue for you and your family.

Video Theatre
Another option for children is the video theatre on Nyaung-Oo Jetty road. It’s not the easiest place to find, situated in a small alley just a short walk from the market, but if you listen carefully you might be able to hear it; the sound of the theatre tends to travel around the surrounding area. The daytime programme here is geared towards children.

Bagan has a rich cultural heritage, and people interested in archaeology and ancient temples will be in their element here. The Bagan Archaeological Museum is a good place to start and provides some stunning views from its rooftop. Ananda, Dhammayangyi and Gawdawpalin are three of the most interesting temples in Bagan.

Ananda Temple
It’s likely you’ll see plenty of temples during your trip here, but Ananda is perhaps one of the finest in Bagan. The temple was initially built during the reign of King Kyanzittha in 1091 and is famous for its four standing Buddha images decorated with gold leaf. Although the temple suffered considerable damage in the 1975 earthquake, rebuilding in 1979 made it one of the most complete temples in Bagan. The base of the temple is decorated with terracotta tiles detailing scenes from the Jataka, and the temple is believed to represent the Buddha’s wisdom.

Bagan Archaeological Museum
The Bagan Archaeological Museum is located close to the Gawdawtpalin Pagoda and opened in 1998 to showcase some of the most impressive archaeological finds from Bagan’s history. For many people, one of the highlights of a visit here are the stunning panoramic views from the rooftop, where you can see many of Bagan’s pagodas. The museum is spread over two floors; the ground floor focuses on visual arts with sculptures, wooden carvings and paintings among the displays while the second floor has a religious theme, focusing on Buddhist art.

Dhammayangyi Temple
This temple is believed to have been built in the 12^th century by King Narathu, although some historians argue that King Alaungsithu built it. This vast temple is the widest in Bagan and although its layout is similar to that of the Ananda, the brickwork here is more impressive. The temple itself was never completed and the interior has now been blocked with brickwork.

Gawdawpalin Temple
Gawdawpalin is another temple that was reconstructed after the 1975 earthquake, and at over 50m high it is the second tallest temple in Bagan. Construction of Gawdawpalin began during Narapatisithu’s reign and was finished during the reign of Htilominlo. The layout here is similar to that at Thatbyinnyu; the temple is built over two floors with upper and lower terraces. There are some outstanding wall paintings and sculptures here.

Hkinkyiza Kyaung
A visit to a library isn’t an obvious tourist attraction, but Hkinkyiza Kyaung is of great historical interest. Hkinkyiza Kyaung is an old, traditional stucco and brick Buddhist library. Plenty of the original stucco remains as well as an intact superstructure, making it a fascinating place to spend some time.

Theatre
Marionette theatre (yok-thei pwe) is popular here and has been practised since the late 18^th century. This type of theatre remains one of the most impressive forms of Burmese cultural expression and shouldn’t be missed. Your hotel should be able to advise you about times of performances, or alternatively newspapers usually have details of what’s on.

Gourmands will be disappointed to find that Bagan isn’t a gastronomic destination. Although, with a bit of effort you can find some tasty places to eat and wherever you go food is relatively very cheap. 

Most of the restaurant choices are in New Bagan, which is just to the south of the temples of Old Bagan. The majority of these restaurants fall into the budget category.

For a sample of traditional local Burmese cuisine, it’s best to try restaurants that aren’t aimed at travellers. The best places are the small noodle and curry shops, and the usual array of street stalls, where you can good, tasty local food. A good guide is to head for a place that’s busy with lots of local people. This way you can usually be sure the food is freshly cooked and less likely to give you any stomach problems.

The Nanda restaurant is considered a good place for Burmese and Chinese food and also has some pleasant views of the Schwezigon Pagoda as well as the occasional traditional show. Other restaurants that have a reputation for serving decent quality international food include Sunset Garden (especially well known for its seafood), River View Restaurant and Si Thu Restaurant (popular for its traditional shows in the evenings). Bagan Golf’s restaurant makes a decent attempt at western dishes.

There are a few places where you can get Thai food in the city. Hotel restaurants can be worth checking out, and the best hotels are the nearest you’ll get to a top meal.

Recent years have seen a few Italian restaurants appearing around Bagan. While the food at these establishments might not be up to the standards you’re used to back home, Sun Gabar Restaurant makes a good stab at popular Italian dishes, which can be a pleasant change from rice and noodles.

Bagan is not the best destination in Myanmar for shopping, and shopaholics may find they don’t get much of an urge to shop. Aside from paintings, lacquer-ware and a few other souvenir items, you won’t find much in the way of quality shopping.

If you have room to take some paintings home with you, then you can have a lot of fun haggling for artwork here. You’ll find plenty of paintings on sale and a great range in terms of quality. Have a good hunt around and then pick out your favourite pieces. You’ll also find that most of the temples you visit have a stall outside selling paintings and other souvenirs.

The ancient craft of lacquer-ware is still carried out in Bagan and involves coating, drying and re-coating a frame of woven bamboo over a number of months. This painstaking task is concluded with designs being hand etched onto the lacquered bamboo. New Bagan and Myinkabar are the main places to purchase traditional lacquer-ware.

There are some good outdoor options in Bagan, ranging from calm activities like bird watching, to the frenzy of cock fighting and the bizarre spectacle of gonnyin. Chinglone is the national game and is played all over the country in any suitable open space.

Bird Watching
Bagan is a good destination for budding ornithologists with some excellent bird watching in the nearby Chin Hills. If you have enough time on your trip, a side trip to check out the local birdlife is worth taking and is easy to organise on arrival in Bagan.

Chinglone
If you get the chance to watch chinglone, the national game, being played, it’s a great opportunity to see the locals in action. Chinglone is similar to takraw in Thailand, with the object of the game to keep a cane ball in the air using only your knees and feet. There are six players in a team and you’ll find people playing in any available space in the city at the end of the day. If you want to watch an official competition, then your hotel should be able to assist you.

Cockfighting
Cockfighting is a popular sport in Myanmar, and depending on your views on this sort of animal sport you’ll either run a mile or be intrigued to find out more. There are numerous events held around the country. If you ask at your hotel for more information, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Golf
There is a fantastic 18-hole golf course located about five minutes drive from Old Bagan, where you can play golf in view of the temples and pagodas. Early morning is the best time to play, as the afternoons can get very hot. Phone: +95 62 71 070.

Gonnyin
Gonnyin is a traditional sport that is well worth watching if you get the chance. This bizarre game sees contestants hurl fruit stones at a pole, hoping to knock off a target. Another variation of this game has a contestant climbing a greased bamboo pole in an attempt to take a prize from the top; while he’s doing this other people try to knock him or the prize off.