Verified21.1725° N · 94.8600° E · 70 m
Bagan
Pagan · Bagan Archaeological Zone
Pagan Kingdom 1044–1287 CE (Bagan period 11th–13th century)·Bamar / Burmese Buddhist (Theravada)·🇲🇲 Mandalay Region, Myanmar
About
About Bagan
Sacred landscape on Irrawaddy River bend with over 2,200 surviving Buddhist temples, stupas and monasteries from 11th–13th century Pagan Kingdom; at peak >10,000 structures, including Ananda, Dhammayangyi and Shwezigon pagodas with mural frescoes and glazed plaques.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How mass construction financed and organized across centuries
- 02Abandonment after Mongol invasions vs internal irrigation failure
Theories
- 01Merit-making competition among kings generated building boom
- 02Seismic vulnerability dictated construction techniques
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 1044–1287 CE; peak under Anawrahta, Kyansittha, Narapatisithu
- Period
- Pagan Kingdom 1044–1287 CE (Bagan period 11th–13th century)
- Culture
- Bamar / Burmese Buddhist (Theravada)
- Purpose
- Merit-making temple construction and Buddhist pilgrimage / cosmological mandala capital
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
1044–1287 CE; peak under Anawrahta, Kyansittha, Narapatisithu
Initial construction
c. 1449 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
21.1725° N · 94.8600° E · 70 m · 3 mapped features
- 21.1701° N · 94.8663° E
Ananda Temple (1091)
temple - 21.1641° N · 94.8648° E
Dhammayangyi Temple (largest)
temple - 21.1923° N · 94.8932° E
Shwezigon Pagoda
stupa
Gallery