Where To Watch Stunning Sunrise & Sunset In Bagan, Myanmar

If you think of Bagan, what comes to mind might be those stunning pictures of sunrises and sunsets apart from the thousands of temples. Bagan sunrise is magical. Bagan sunset weaves its magic upon people too, and that’s why people come in thousands every year.

Almost all of the Bagan Pagodas were available to tourists to watch Bagan sunrise and sunset. People could climb the steep stairs of Shwesandaw, Bulethi and Tisa Wadi, and other scores of smaller temples to admire the spectacular views in all colours. But since May 2019, all of these temples have been closed for tourists to climb. Therefore, we will need alternatives to spot the spectacle of Bagan sunrise and sunset. Below is the list of places from where you can get the best Bagan sunrise and sunset.

One of the best things to do while in Bagan is to watch the sunrise and the sunset over the temples. There is no better place to watch the sunrise than from a hot air balloon. For forty-five minutes floating over Bagan, you can have a 360-degree view of Bagan Sunrise/Sunset over thousands of Buddhist and Hindu temples, farms of cotton and peanuts, and hundreds of palm trees. It’s absolutely wonderful experience from the beginning to an end.

Balloons over Bagan – 330 to 400 dollars

Oriental Ballooning – 395 dollars

Golden Eagle Ballooning – 320 to 380 dollars

Bagan Sunrise At Sulamani Hill View Point

The most popular among the places to visit Bagan sunrise and sunset is Sulamani Hill View Point. Located behind Sulamani Pagoda, this hill viewpoint is adjacent to a pond.

It has become the best spot for sunsets in Bagan as well as sunrise. You’ll find tourists lined up on the viewing platform and locals trying to sell stuff. If you want to capture clear, beautiful shots of sunrise and sunset, please use your camera.

The best place for sunrise and sunsets in Bagan currently. The sunrise felt better than the sunset, although that might have been due to poor weather. The views of the temples are great from here compared to the other two mounds below, where you can spot Ananda Pagoda, Bulethi and Htilominlo temple from a distance. On bright days, you can also see up to Dhammangayi Pagoda.

Nyaung Lat Phet Viewing Mound

It is also one of the viewing platforms available on the same name on Google maps. It offers a partial view but is still great for some fantastic views of the horizon. Nyaung Lat Phet is not as good as Sulamani Hillview point because it is at a lower height and also the temples look a little further away.

East O-Htein Taung Viewing Mounds

The furthest of all view mounds is East O-Htein Taung. To be honest, its location is excellent, diagonally opposite to Bagan temple clusters. The height is too low, and even if you are over 6 feet, you won’t be able to spot many temples.
It is a right place for Bagan Sunrise and Sunset if you are okay with having lesser temples in your frame. Because temples or not, the backdrop is gorgeous, and you can view the silhouette of the hills over the other side of Irrawaddy from here.

Official Bagan Sunrise And Sunset Spot – Bagan Viewing Tower

If you are willing to pay 8000 Kyat per person, then head to Bagan Viewing Tower. The ticket is valid for a whole day. Therefore, you can view both the sunrise and sunset. It is open between 5:30 AM to 10 PM.

You have to get to the 13th floor, which has a viewing platform. Expect this tower to get crowded during the peak season. The tower is located in a great place and offers beautiful views of Bagan sunrise and sunset.

If you are looking for a romantic tour, then check this Sunset Dinner at Bagan Viewing Tower, which allows you to have a delicious dinner overlooking the gorgeous views.

You can have views of temples that form silhouettes from the Irrawaddy River as you cruise along passing through hills and Bagan Pagodas in the distance. It is a totally unique and a different view to witness Bagan sunrise and sunsets from the river.

Lawkananda Pagoda

Located on the banks of the Irrawaddy, you can enjoy a full view of Bagan sunrise and even better gorgeous sunset in Bagan from Lawkananda Pagoda. A few temples will be seen, although they appear vague. But you can watch all the after-colours in the sky on the river, and the boats looming in.

Bu Phaya Pagoda

Also located beside the Irrawaddy, it offers 360-degree views of the landscape across the river. You can take up Bagan sunset cruise or sunrise cruise from here or stand next to the Pagoda to soak in the blissful views of the city. It is a perfect way to end or start a day witnessing serene sunrises and sunsets in Bagan.

For a free travelers, you will sure be wandering with your E-bike around, there are many quiet temples nearby famous and big ones. Mark one with great nature surrounding, a decent height that allows you to access, having some nice shape temples between the one you chose and the sunset and return in the afternoon/ morning. It’ll be yours to soak in the quietness and the sunset view for your own.

Temple should have open staircases after 5PM many temples will be looked up their main doors.

Just make sure you pick a temple not too far from the main road and not too hideaway, after sunset it could getting dark fairly quick and you do not want to get lost if you are not with a tour guide.