Ancient City ( Bagan)
Bagan is one of those truly marvelous places which demand superlatives and yet remains almost impossible to describe in a satisfactory manner. It may not have been listed as one of the classical marvels of antiquity- after all, it wasn't built until around half a millennium after the fall of the Roman Empire- but today it must certainly runk as the most amazing sight in Burma and a genuine wonder of the world.
The remains of Buddhist Bagan stretch across almost 40sq Km ( 15 sq miles ) of the flat, dry east bank of the Ayeyarwady River. All that remains of this once mighty capital of the first Burmar Kingdom ( 11th- 14th Century AD ) are the religious structures which were made of brick, sandstone and stucco. Secular building, whether the palaces of the rulers or the simple dwellings of ordinary folk, have long since disappeared, being made of easily degradable wood, bamboo and thatch. It requires some efforts, then, to imagine the extent and richness of Bagan in its prime. Even today, after conquest by the Mongols and subsequent centuries of abandonment to the whims of harsh climate and earthquakes, Bagan is an impressive sight indeed.
Fortunately we have a description of Bagan in the late 13th Century, just before Bagan succumbed to its Mongol conquerors. The grate Venetian Traveller Marco Polo visited and penned the following evocative description: " The towers are built of fine stone, and one has been covered with gold a finger thick, so that the tower appears to be of solid gold. Another is covered with silver in a similar manner and appears to be made of solid silver. The King of Burma caused these towers to be built as a monument to his magnificence and for the benefit of his soul. They make one of the finest sight in the world, being exquisitely finished, splendid and costly. When illuminated by the sun they are especially brilliant and can be seen from a great distance.''
Today the gold and silver have long since disappeared, but much of the glory that was Bagan still remains, and that which survives is more than enough to make the passing traveller step and wonder. Its no good rushing here, and the visitor should plan to spend at least three days taking in the sights. In a single day, however, it is possible to visit several of the most important temples before relaxing over a cool drink by the Bank of Ayeyarwady River to watch the sun, usually a ball of fiery, dust-clad red, descend behind the Chin Hills to the West !
The remains of Buddhist Bagan stretch across almost 40sq Km ( 15 sq miles ) of the flat, dry east bank of the Ayeyarwady River. All that remains of this once mighty capital of the first Burmar Kingdom ( 11th- 14th Century AD ) are the religious structures which were made of brick, sandstone and stucco. Secular building, whether the palaces of the rulers or the simple dwellings of ordinary folk, have long since disappeared, being made of easily degradable wood, bamboo and thatch. It requires some efforts, then, to imagine the extent and richness of Bagan in its prime. Even today, after conquest by the Mongols and subsequent centuries of abandonment to the whims of harsh climate and earthquakes, Bagan is an impressive sight indeed.
Fortunately we have a description of Bagan in the late 13th Century, just before Bagan succumbed to its Mongol conquerors. The grate Venetian Traveller Marco Polo visited and penned the following evocative description: " The towers are built of fine stone, and one has been covered with gold a finger thick, so that the tower appears to be of solid gold. Another is covered with silver in a similar manner and appears to be made of solid silver. The King of Burma caused these towers to be built as a monument to his magnificence and for the benefit of his soul. They make one of the finest sight in the world, being exquisitely finished, splendid and costly. When illuminated by the sun they are especially brilliant and can be seen from a great distance.''
Today the gold and silver have long since disappeared, but much of the glory that was Bagan still remains, and that which survives is more than enough to make the passing traveller step and wonder. Its no good rushing here, and the visitor should plan to spend at least three days taking in the sights. In a single day, however, it is possible to visit several of the most important temples before relaxing over a cool drink by the Bank of Ayeyarwady River to watch the sun, usually a ball of fiery, dust-clad red, descend behind the Chin Hills to the West !
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