Bagan

Black and White pictures by QT Luong

Bagan is possibly the most impressive sight in South-East Asia, and one of the man-made wonders of the world. In two and half centuries of extraordinary religious fervor, between 1057 and 1287, thousands of Buddhist monuments and temples (as many as all European cathedrals) were built in the relatively small valley of the Ayeyarwaddy river. Each of them has a different style, size, and decoration. They range from soaring temples (such as Ananda pahto) to small stupas, active temples (Dhammayazika), to ruined buildings. Some have gilded domes, mural paintings, intricate carvings, steep staircases leading to expansive views.

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