The Ananda Temple
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Completed in AD 1091 by King Kyanzittha, the name of this most majestic of temples means endless wisdom and symbolizes the wisdom the Buddha. Designed as a square, there are with four large vestibules entering symmetrically from each side forming a perfect Greek. There are four niches deep in the temple facing the four cardinal compass points each containing a single 31 foot tall standing Buddha statue representing the four previous Buddha's. Two Buddha footprints mounted on pedestals stand on the west porch. This Temple is the "mother of all temples" in Bagan, containing representative works of all the arts, architecture, glazed plaques, woodcarvings, stucco, terra cotta and stone sculptures found in all Myanmar temples.
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Thatbyinnyu temple
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Over 66 meters high, and built by King Alaungsithu in the middle of the 12th century, this white stucco building overtops all other monuments as the highest pagoda on the Bagan plain.
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Shwegugyi temple
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mStanding on the high brick plinth, this temple was built by King Alaungsithu in 1131 AD. The arch pediments, pilasters, plinth and cornice molding are decorated with fine stucco carvings, evident of Myanmar architecture of the early 12th Century.
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Gawdawpalin temple
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This temple was built by King Narapatisithu during the 12th century. It is about 60 meters high with a fine view over the ruins of the Bagan plains and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River.
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Gubyaukgyi temple (Wetkyi-Inn)
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It is a 13th century temple with a spire resembling the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in India. This temple is known for its wall paintings depicting scenes from the Jatakas (life stories of the Buddha).
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Payathonzu Temple
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The name Phayathonzu Temple was given because the three pagodas of the same size, appearance and height existed on the same plinth. It is adorned with paintings of the 550 Jataka stories and ten other depictions plus small Thambuddhay figures. The frescoes and architecture are guessed to be of the late 13th century.
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Mahabodhi Temple
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The Mahabohdi temple, erected during the reign of Nadaungmya (r. 1211-1234), is modeled after the temple of the same name in Bodhgaya, India. It is a 140 foot high brick and whitewashed stucco structure characterized by a large square pyramidal tower and topped by a conical spire and umbrella.
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Htilominlo temple
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Built in 1211 AD by King Nadaungmya, the Htilominlo is one of the largest temples of Bagan. It is a double-storied structure rising 50 meters in height. This temple is noted for its fine plaster carvings on the arch pediments, frieze and pilaster.
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Shwezigon pagoda
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The Shwezigon Pagoda - Commenced by Anawrahta but completed by his son, King Kyansittha, it is a prototype for later Myanmar pagodas. It is Bagan's biggest and one of the most important pagoda. It also is one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar as Myanmar as enshrined Buddha's tooth, collarbone and frontlet bone. From 5 terraces rises the golden bell-shaped stupa providing a lovely illuminated landmark at night. The corners of the terraces are adorned by smaller stupas. A small square temple at each of the 4 sides of the stupa houses a standing bronze Buddha image. There are green glazed plaques depicting scenes from the Jatakas. The pagoda festival is held from late October till early November.
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Dhammayazika Pagoda
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At first glance looking much like the famous Shwezigon, the Dhammayazika is unusual because it has pentagonal terraces instead of the usual square ones. Above the three receding terraces, which are ornamented with glazed Jataka plaques rises a bell-shaped dome, which merges directly into a sharply tapering conical finial. On each of the five sides of the pagoda there is a small temple. The temples themselves are of the usual form, square in plan, with a porch for entrance, and surmounted by terraces and a curvilinear spire.
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Bupaya Pagoda
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Standing on the brink of the Ayeyarwaddy River, the Bupaya Pagoda is a conspicuous landmark for travelers along the river. This pagoda with bulbous dome resembling the ''Bu'' or gourd is a favorite spot for visitors to watch the sunset.
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Mingalazedi pagoda
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The last pagoda of the Bagan dynasty built by King Narathihapatae (1256-1287). Started building in 1268, and before it was finished, a prophecy arose that "once the pagoda is finished, the Kingdom would be destroyed". The King thus stopped the works for 6 years. He resumed works in 1274. Ten years later, he had to run away from Bagan to escape the invading Mongols.
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Shwesandaw Pagoda
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King Anawrahta built this graceful stupa. The pagoda bell rises from two octagonal bases, which top the five square terraces. The upper terrace of Shwesandaw Pagoda has become a popular sunset-viewing spot.
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Dhammayangyi temple
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One of the messive temple of Bagan. Built in 1163 by king Narathu, Dhammanyangyi temple is noted for its fine brickwork, the bricks fitting so close togther that there is hardly any space between ingalazedi.
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Sulamani Temple
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The Sulamani (occasionally Sulamuni) Guphaya, or Pahto, is one of Bagan's premier temple attractions. The name itself means Crowning Jewel or Small Ruby. It was the first and most important temple of the late period (1170-1300) of Bagan monument building. It was one of many temples and stupas built by Narapatisithu. This temple is similar to Htilominlo and the Gawdawpalin in architecture but with better interior lighting. It stands beyond the Dhammayangyi Temple. Important features of the Sulamani include its fine brickwork and use of stone in both load-bearing areas as well as on vulnerable external corner elements. The interior was once painted with fine frescoes but only dim traces can be seen today.
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Manuha Temple
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At the southern end of Myinkaba village is the Manuha Temple complex. When in 1057 King Anawrahta returned victorious to Pagan, it was here that the captive King Manuha was brought to live. By 1059 Manuha had built himself this two – storey square white temple and through it conveyed a melancholy message. The three Buddhas are uncomfortably large for their enclosures, thus illustrating his captivity and mental stress. The facial expressions of the two seated images are grim. That of the one reclining Buddha, on the other hand, is smiling and serene. He feces north and is therefore on the verge of Nirvana and release from the transitory World.
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Nagayon Temple
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A portico in the north, paved with green glazed stones and having niches holding stone reliefs of the Buddha, provides access to the Nagayon. Within the temple itself, the central shrine contains a huge standing image of the Buddha. Two smaller images flank the main one. A corridor, also paved with green glazed stones, runs around the central shrine. Dim light comes in through the perforated windows of the outer walls. The walls of the corridor have niches holding stone sculptures depicting the Buddhas previous to Gotama, as well as paintings showing scenes from the Jatakas and the Final Life of Gotama Buddha.