According to the Burmese
Chronicles, Bagan was
founded in the second century AD,
and fortified in 849 AD by
King Pyinbya, 34th successor of the founder of early
Bagan. Mainstream scholarship however holds that
Bagan was founded in the mid-to-late 9th century by
the Mranma (Burmans),
who had recently entered the Irrawaddy valley from the Nanzhao
Kingdom. It was among
several competing Pyu
city-states until the late 10th century when the Burman
settlement grew in authority and
grandeur.
From 1044 to 1287, Bagan was
the capital as well as the political, economic and cultural nerve
center of the Pagan
Empire. Over the course of
250 years, Bagan's rulers and their wealthy subjects constructed
over 10,000 religious monuments (approximately 1000 stupas, 10,000
small temples and 3000
monasteries) in an area of 104 square kilometers in the
Bagan plains.
Bagan stands out for not only the sheer number of religious
edifices of Myanmar but also the magnificent architecture of the
buildings, and their contribution to Burmese temple
design.
The artistry of the architecture of pagodas in Bagan proves the
achievement of Myanmar craftsmen in handicrafts. The Bagan temple
falls into one of two broad categories: the stupa style
solid temple and the gu-style
hollow temple.
A stupa,
also called a pagoda, is a massive structure, typically with a
relic chamber inside. The Bagan stupas or
pagodas evolved from earlier Pyu designs, which in turn were based
on the stupa designs
of the Andhra region, particularly Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda in
present-day south-eastern India, and to a smaller extent to
Ceylon.
The Bagan-era stupas in turn were the prototypes for later Burmese
stupas in terms of symbolism, form and design, building techniques
and even materials.
It's a popular experience to see the sublime sunset in Bagan, so
tourists have to find one high stupas before sunset.
It is stronly recommended for tourists to rent an e-bike to explore
such many temples and stupas scattered around Bagan
everywhere.
I happened to find an ruined monastery along Irrawaddy
River.
I didn't see anybody, but I was sure someone must live there.
Two dogs were friendly and waved their tails
rather than barking when they saw me.
In fact, people can take boat to Mandalay from Bagan along the
Irrawaddy River, which would spend 6-10 hours depending on the slow
or fast boats they take.
I found a local teahouse occasionally and went in to have a
rest for an hour.
Transfered to a local restaurant to have my dinner, which was
famous for the puppet show, after I saw the sunset.
Puppet performance is the national opera of Myanmar, so try to
watch one of them on the spot.
I decided to climb one small mountain nearby the hotel the
following day, where I could see one gilded temple on the
top.
It looked not far away, but it took me 1-2 hours to reach the
summit of the hill.
The mountain was not high, but it was quiet. I didn't see
anyone even though I walked for a long time.
For the first time in my life, I saw such these huge &
colorful cactus.
I was curious about authentic local lifestyle when
traveling.
Local kids were trying to persuade foreign visitors to buy
their drawings when they saw them.
Local vendors were coming to the passengers for sale when the
bus stopped at every station.
Two cute boys on the bus.
Transportation
Tourists usually take the bus to Mandalay from Bagan because
it can save them one day for sightseeing and one-night hotel's
budget as well.
Hotel
The hotel provided very nice breakfast on the second balcony
with fantastic views.
加载中…
(2018-03-13 17:51:40)