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Bagan & Its VicinityBagan Bagan
was the first capital of Myanmar. The Bagan Period was from
11th to 13th century. It is almost contemporary with the
major central and South America countries of the Maya, and
the Inca. The first and the earliest cathedral church in
France was built in 12th century. The pagodas in Bagan are
earlier than the oldest cathedral.Bagan covers an area of 42 square km on the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River in central Myanmar. Bagan, where is many existing old monuments and religious buildings, reveal the greatness of their time of glory. Bagan with over 3000 ancient pagodas is proof of the rich cultural heritage of Myanmar. Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites all over the world. That's why Bagan is well-known as the archaeological paradise of the world. This is the paradise of the archeologist. Originally,
they built nearly 5000 monuments in Bagan. All of them are
religious monuments. But today according to the census of
the archaeological department, more than 3000 temples still
survive. They are well preserved because of the climate in
the region. The maximum temperature is 43°C and the minimum
temperature is 15°C. The rain fall is not more than 55cm.
That's why in this climate monuments can be preserved not
only the climate but also their architecture in the period
because of their high technology. They were high
civilization. Now, Bagan is the most famous place in our
country. Mt. Popa
Sale
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Popa,
an oasis of dry zone, is about 60km away from Bagan. It is a
1520 m high extinct volcano. Popa, a great extinct volcano,
lasts active 25000 years ago. It is the place of special
importance for history and culture. Mt.Popa is famous for its
wealth of medicinal plants and rare orchids, the legendary of
'Nat' Spirit of Myanmar. The natural water of Popa mountain
provides the water supply for the area. The whole top of
mountain is covered with picturesque complex of monastery,
pagodas and shrines for Nat which are made accessible by a
series of stairways. You will reach the top after 777 steps
climb.
Bagan
had flourished Buddhism in the 11th century and so had Salay.
There are many pagodas in Bagan. Salay does not have Pagodas
like Bagan. But a lot of monasteries still remain in Salay
nowadays. Today's Salay is much more of a religious centre than
Bagan. There are many more working monasteries than any other
areas today. During the late Bagan era, the last 12th and 13th
centuries, Salay developed as the expanding spiral of Bagan's
influence moved southward along the Ayeyarwaddy river. In Salay,
one can see the huge wooden monastery which is the most
beautiful in Myanmar and it is very impressive with its wood
carving.
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