Seeing more Burmese payas, “it’s only just Bagan!”

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By the middle of the second day (or it could have been at the end of the first) many of the ruins started looking quite similar to me. Don’t get me wrong Bagan is an amazing place, however knowing little about architectural styles except a slight understanding of the difference between Thai, Khmer and Burmese, it can get slightly monotonous. At least the vistas from the top of the payas remained amazing no matter which one or where it was located because they overlooked different viewpoints.

On the second day we broke up the monotony of temple hopping and cycling by taking a boat ride down the Ayeyarwaddy River. We left just before sunset to see life on the river and Bagan from another viewpoint. In the afternoon on the third day we explored some of Bagan’s south and south eastern sights by horse and cart and managed to catch the sunset. We visited:

Dhamma Yangyi Temple: Bagan’s most massive temple, built in 1167 displaying the finest brickwork.
Dhamma ya za ka Zedi: built by Naraptisithu in 1196-98. This has the best viewpoint for sunset, and was one of my favourite spots.
Tayok Pyi Pya, Oak kyaung gyi, Thisa Wadi

You will see a picture of a Betel nut shop in one of the pictures. Chewing betel nut is widespread throughout Burma and there are stalls selling it everywhere you go. I would say visiting the dentist here mustn’t be as common as it is for us back home!

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Photos

Walking up Thisa wadi
Another moment when it is nice being short! One of the many temple/paya stairs we climbed up.