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MOUNT
Popa
Not a walk for the faint of heart, a visit
to Mount Popa and its infamous gilded
monastery takes some serious stamina.
Sitting Parthenon-esque atop a massive,
shrub-covered outcrop, the views looking at
the oddly shaped volcano are just as incredible
as the ones you get from the very top. Once
you tackle the daunting steps, walk around
the monastery to catch the 360-degree
views spread out before you. Beyond the
gold-plated monastery, the lush forests and
parks surrounding the volcano are also worthy
of exploration.
TOWN OF
NYAUNG U
A little outside of Bagan’s main district you’ll
find the small riverbank town of Nyaung-U.
Home to a handful of temples, a vast collection
of handicraft stalls, and a lively market, it’s a
mini-city on its own. Since Bagan lacks the
bars and restaurants of other Myanmar cities,
you’ll find a large influx of backpackers and
tourists flocking the streets and stalls here to
get their shopping and food fix. After filling
up on mohinga noodles and grilled skewers,
walk to the nearby Dhammayangyi Temple,
the largest in Bagan, built by King Narathu
to atone for his sins, which, judging by the
temple’s size, were numerous.
PHOTO
L E F T: M YA N M A R T R A D I T I O N A L FA R M E R S
ANDREWHARPERTRAVEL.COM
SPRING | 2018