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Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Thatbyinnyu Temple

That Byin Nyu temple by Tore Saetre/

The Thatbyinnyu Temple is a Theravada Buddhist temple. The temple is recognized as a monument in the Bagan Archeological area.

The temple is the tallest of the Pagodas in Bagan, rising to twenty-one stories. It’s part of the UNESCO heritage site.

Regardless of its eminence on the skyline and proximity to the famous Ananda temple and old Bagan, there is so much about Thatbyinnyu temple that remains a mystery.

With a height of over sixty meters, the Thatbyinnyu Pagoda is one of the highest monuments in Bagan

The temple is different from its close temples Htilominlo and Sulamini temples because of its structure which is a white and grey façade.

1. The Fascinating temple was badly damaged after the two earthquakes 

The temple was badly damaged by the earthquake, its now undergoing restoration work with Chinese technical and financial assistance.

The temple was constructed during the rededication period to Theravada Buddhism and religious scholarship.

It is one of the thirty-six hit structures and sustained several horizontal and vertical cracks throughout the structure the floors and terraces.

The terraces contain indentations that were meant to hold a series of over five hundred ceramic plaques depicting the jataka stories but they were never added.

2. The awesome top of the Pagoda is the shikhara tower which is more compact 

The square base of the Thatbyinnyu temple is about fifty-eight meters long on each side. The brick structure is capped with a stucco platform.

A small cube-shaped structure where the principal Buddha image is enshrined in a cella, the cubic space is surrounded by a corridor.

On top of the pagoda, a shikhara tower is formed, the tower is shorter and more compact than that of the Ananda temple.

The four sides have an arched entrance protruding from the main building. The corridors are enshrined with a large number of seated Buddha images.

A few statues of Nat spirits who were worshipped in Burma before the arrival of Buddhism can be found in the temple.

The two tiers of windows on each level create a vibrant and lighter interior. There is the use of pointed arches in the spacious hallway.

3. The exquisite temple is located in Bagan and represents the Burmese architecture

Thatbyinnyu temple by unknown Arthur/

The temple is located in Bagan it represents a transition from the Mon period to a new architectural style.

It was constructed during one of the high points of Bagan political power and the rededication of Theravada Buddhism.

Monks originally lived on the first two levels and the major shrine was on the upper level. The temple was never fully completed in the era it was built.

4. Bagan is an amazing ancient city that is part of the UNESCO world heritage

Old Bagan, Myanmar, Countless pagodas and temples in Bagan plains, by unknown Arthur/

Its an ancient city and a UNESCO world heritage in the Mandalay region of Myanmar. Bagan is a sacred landscape featuring an extraordinary range of Buddhist architecture.

The Bagan archaeological zone is the main tourist attraction. Also known as the land of sacred temples, the ancient kingdom of Bagan is a symbol of Burmese religion, culture, and history.

The plains of Mandalay cradled by the Irrawaddy River and the treasures of the ancient kingdom of Bagan have survived for centuries.

The Kingdom of Bagan began its ascendancy under King Anawrahta in the eleventh century. Two factors led to Bagan’s rapid growth.

First, the Burmese defeated the rival Mon Kingdom in battle, the second the king converted to Buddhism.

5. Ananda Temple is the famous and largest temple in Bagan 

Ananda-Temple, by unknown Arthur/

This is a famous and one of the largest temples in Bagan. The temple is built in a transitional style featuring both Mon and Burmese architecture.

The temple was damaged in the earthquake; however, it has been fully restored and is well maintained by frequent painting and whitewashing of the walls.

The temple is found near the Tharabar gate, the only gate remaining of the original twelve in the old Bagan city walls.

The most distinctive feature of the temple is the gilded shikhara the tower-like spire on top of the Pagoda, the reflection can be seen miles away over the Bagan plains.

6. How to get to the amazing Bagan one can fly or use the comfortable buses

As a local or tourist, you can fly from Yangon to Myanmar’s largest city and former capital. The temple is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.

From Yangon the cheapest way to get to Bagan is by bus, it is a nine-hour drive. The buses are spacious and comfortable and the seats can recline for you to rest or sleep.

7. Hire a guide or explore Bagan city on your own using the electronic bike

As a visitor, you can choose to explore Bagan on your own or hire a guide. In case you want to explore on your own you can rent an electronic bike to move around with.

The temples are quite far from each other and one may get lost or give up so it would be best when visiting Bagan to hire a guide.

Like all temples in Myanmar, one must remove their shoes and socks before entering the temple.

8. Yadnoarbon hotel in the New Bagan is a good hotel to book when visiting Bagan

Bagan is divided into three main areas, The old Bagan, the new Bagan and Nyaung U. A good hotel to stay in are the Yadnarbon Hotel in the New Bagan not far from the temples.

9. Wear comfortable clothes during the summer while visiting the astonishing temple

Wear comfortable clothes especially if you are going during summertime. It’s good to wear sandals that are easy to take off once you get to the temple.

Carry cleansing wipes to wipe your feet the floors of the temple are quite dirty. If you are exploring on your own be careful when climbing up the temples.

The magical views in Bagan happen during sunrise and sunset if you are a photographer. At night have a torchlight, the streets are not lit.

10. The best time to visit the fascinating Bagan is between November and January

Burma Old Bagan That Byin Nyu temple 12 th century by Daniel Judie/Wikimedia Commons

The best time to visit Bagan is between November and January to avoid the summer heat. During this time the skies are clear thus one can use hot air balloons.

Bagan is located in Myanmar’s driest region and it’s usually hot all year round, although temperatures between March and April are extremely brutal.