The Bagan
After a few days in Yangon, we headed north to the Bagan! The Bagan was the site I was most excited to see before going to Myanmar – it’s an enormous complex of Buddhist temples which are often compared to Angkor Wat.
At the temples!
Even though I had read a bit about the complex before we went, I was blown away by how extensive it was. In it’s prime (the 11th and 13th centuries), the temple complex had over 10,000 temples – today over 2,000 still remain.
Temples!
The biggest difference (besides the different architectural styles) I saw between the Bagan and Angkor Wat is that the Bagan is much lest developed as a tourist site (although it is a big draw). The majority of the temples we visited (really – the only exception being the major/large temples) we had completely to ourselves. It was a really awesome experience to explore and climb up these ancient temples without anyone else in sight.
Right before sunset!
Our first day in the temples we went around by horse cart – our driver was incredibly nice. He took us to the major sites and helped us get oriented with the layout of the temples. One of my favorite parts about our day with him was the beautiful view he took us for sunset!
Temples everywhere!
The second day we woke up really early to ride bikes around the complex. It was so insanely hot during the middle of the day that it was almost impossible to be out past 10:30 or so (which meant lots of relaxing time in the pool!) The Bagan is different climate-wise from anywhere else I’ve been in SE Asia – it’s more of a desert climate, so it has this dry, baking heat instead of the humidity.
Star Beam – great restaurant at the Bagan
The Bagan was really incredible – it was awesome to get the opportunity to experience a place which is so amazing before it becomes more frequented by tourists.
The Bagan!
I'm gone... to Saigon! 
It looks like you had a great time Erin…The temples look beautiful. Very coo trip!
*cool trip! Miss you…Love, Aunt Kathy
looks like some of the most awesome pictures so far! miss you love mom!
what an amazing trip, you sure are seeing the world, and you of course look fantastic too!!!! Miss you and love you!!!!
Next post, could you take some pictures of your accommodations too? I am always curious about where you stay and what it looks like! Great blog post! I had no idea these 2,000 temples were there! Keep on exploring, Erin!