Bagan is a land full of temples worthy of magical sunrises and sunsets. The best sunrises and sunsets in the middle of Bagan temples used to be on the top of the tallest ones that are now closed for climbing.
The good news is that there are still a few temples that you can climb, but due to that, the most known ones are overcrowded. The first time I was in Bagan, I didn’t watch any sunrise from the floor, so this time I went for 2 different sunrises in different temples.
1. This temple was overcrowded and it even had a guard asking for your archeological zone entrance ticket. It is a temple near Alodawpyi Pagoda (just behind it) and it comes on google maps with the name: sunrise temple 386. This temple has a really nice view! You can have a surrounding view full of Bagan temples until your eye can reach no more. So, the pictures with the balloons will have plenty of temples on the background. The surrounding area has many crows in the trees that from time to time depart at the same time, creating an even more magical atmosphere as their sounds mix with the sounds of other birds nearby. A the sudden the sky is covered with black which is a delight for everyone that is sitting on the temple waiting for the balloons to pass by. I got to this temple when the sunrise was about to happen and it was already full of people. It’s also very common to find some Burmese people there that will be selling some souvenirs like sand paintings or Bambu bowls, etc.. On the first time I was in Bagan, I have been to this temple for sunset where you can also have a view with lots of temples in sight.
My sunrise pictures on this temple:
2. Another temple that I visited for both sunset and sunrise was: sunset viewing pagoda 669.
This temple is not overcrowded but it had more people for the sunset than for sunrise. Actually, this is a different view for the sunrise. You will not get the ballons close to you or with a lot of temples in sight, but you will see exactly from where they depart. You can see the balloons very far where they are being filled, as the top can be seen among the trees. Then you will have a full scenario of the balloons take off with the sunrise just behind. The balloons never get close, but it’s definitely a different sight of the sunrise in Bagan temples. There were just 4 more people with me for the sunrise with the sound of the chickens nearby and all the birds around. No crows here.
For the sunset, I think it is actually a nice place as you still have the sight of a few temples on your way. There were more than 4 people here for the sunset and you will also find Burmese souvenir sellers.
My sunrise pictures on this temple:
Pictures from the sunset on this temple: HERE!
3. The spot below I just found it while riding my Ympek bicycle among the Bagan temples. This is near the Shwesandaw Pagoda.
Another popular spot for sunsets and sunrise are the hills they built on purpose for the tourists. One is located nearby Sulamani Pagoda and the other one is Nyaunglaphet Sunset Hill that actually looks pretty cool for sunrise. I pity I only went there on my last day and haven’t seen any sunrise or sunset here as this was the place I found with the widest view of all the Bagan temples. This is a hell of a view up here, so I really advise a visit.
