#緬甸旅行

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.

After visiting the founding pagoda of the Bagan Kingdom, we arrived at the last Burmese-style pagoda of Bagan, Htilominlo Pagoda, built by King Htilominlo in 1218. The spire stands prominently on the vast plain, making it quite conspicuous. Htilominlo Pagoda is a typical red brick structure, with a pyramid-like spire symbolizing Mount Meru, the sacred mountain in Buddhism. The main tower is tall and majestic, surrounded by smaller towers on all four sides, symbolizing the four corners of the earth. The corridors, statues, murals, and reliefs are adorned with brick carvings on the walls, and there are relief Buddha statues under the walls, resembling a fine piece of craftsmanship. When we visited, the bougainvillea was in full bloom, and the pagoda was surrounded by red and white bougainvillea flowers, making it a perfect spot for social media photos. Usually, there are vendors gathered around large pagoda temples. After worshipping the Buddha statues, you can browse the handicrafts and buy a cup of freshly squeezed sugarcane juice to quench your thirst and cool off.

Visited the Shwesandaw Pagoda, the founding pagoda of the Bagan Kingdom, on a hot afternoon. It is now one of the four major pagodas in Myanmar. The scale and grandeur are truly astonishing, and even the term 'resplendent' falls short of describing its magnificence. To enter the Shwesandaw Pagoda, you need to pass through a long corridor that provides some shade, making the walk relatively comfortable. However, once you reach the pagoda grounds, you have to take off your shoes! The ground is scorching hot, and you can only stand in the shaded areas outside to admire the pagoda, or else your feet will burn! Besides the resplendent main pagoda, there are three other highlights: a statue of the Naga descending from the sky, a small puddle that reflects the pagoda, and a father and son Buddha statue. Unfortunately, the top of the pagoda was under maintenance during our visit, covered with white cloth, making it look like it was wrapped in snow, which was quite cute. The Shwesandaw Pagoda, said to be the prototype of Myanmar's pagodas, features a three-tiered square base, an octagonal platform, and a bell-shaped tower, exuding stability and solemnity. Each of the four sides has a large niche housing a 4-meter tall standing Buddha.

Exploring the ancient city of Bagan in Myanmar, we visit the largest existing temple, Ananda Pagoda. Built in 1105 AD, this white temple is named after Ananda, one of the ten principal disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni. It is a rare white temple, earning it the title of 'the most beautiful pagoda in all of Bagan.' Ananda Temple is grand in scale, with whitewashed walls that emit a faint pink glow under sunlight, making it exceptionally elegant and beautiful. The architectural style blends Indian and Mon styles, with a magnificent gilded spire as its hallmark. Inside the temple, there are four large Buddha statues facing different directions: Kassapa Buddha, Konagamana Buddha, Kakusandha Buddha, and Shakyamuni Buddha. The atmosphere is solemn and majestic, attracting many worshippers, making it the most popular temple in Bagan. Just like the temples in Taiwan, the area around Ananda Temple is bustling with vendors. There are various markets and some snacks available. After paying respects, you might as well take a stroll and hunt for treasures.