Bago
Bago, Bago
Located in southern Myanmar, Bago (formerly known as Hanthawaddy or Pegu) was an ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom. It’s known for its numerous Buddhist temples, pagodas, statues, and other ceremonial items, including one of the largest and oldest reclining Buddhas in the world, and the four back-to-back Buddhas guarding the city.
Bago is an easy day trip from Yangon. Most visitors come to admire the historic religious sites, including Schwemawdaw Pagoda; the two reclining Buddhas at Shwethalyaung and Mya Tha Lyaung; the four giant Buddhas at Kyaik Pun Pagoda; and Kanbawzathadi Palace. Visiting as part of a guided tour from Yangon by train or private vehicle means you’ll skip the hassle of public transport and get deeper insight into the ancient city. You can also combine Bago with a visit to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock), one of Myanmar’s most iconic sites.
Bago is ideal for history buffs, spiritual travelers, and those with an interest in Buddhist temples and pagodas.
Dress and act respectfully when visiting pagodas—most require you to cover your shoulders.
There’s a city fee to visit most sites, though it is not always enforced.
Only men are permitted to climb Mahazedi Pagoda.
Bago is located around 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Yangon, and connected to most major cities in Myanmar by train and bus—bear in mind the bus won’t always drop you off at the central bus station. Once in Bago, catch a shared tuk tuk, or rent a motorcycle or bike for the day to get around. Guided tours from Yangon offer a hassle-free way to visit and explore the city.
You can visit Bago at any time, though the winter months of December to March offer the most pleasant temperatures. The Shwe Myat Mhan Pagoda Festival is held in March while the Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival, which attracts thousands of Buddhists from around the world, is held in late March or early April. Sunrise and sunsets are good times for visiting many of the pagodas.
One of two UNESCO World Heritage listed sites in Myanmar (along with Bagan), Pyu Ancient Cities features the remnants of three walled and moated cities of the Pyu (Hailin, Beikthano, and Sri Ksetra), located along the Ayeyarwady River Basin. Small museums showcase artifacts while others are left in situ. Located in the Bago region, the sites are generally crowd-free and spread out, and best explored by private vehicle or motorbike.
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