the viewing deck: Bagan Day Tour 3rd part; from Shweleiktoo to Htilominlo Pagoda

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Bagan Day Tour 3rd part; from Shweleiktoo to Htilominlo Pagoda

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Bagan day tour 2nd part; visiting the Shwezigon Pagoda

Shweleiktoo Temple is the temple famous for sunrise photoshoot over Old Bagan as well as Balloons floating which commence around 0515H-0545H. This was the initial and not so obligatory task to perform in enjoying the best of Bagan Archeological Zone. Arrive early as other tourists especially the high-end photographers tend to place themselves to the highest peak reachable on this temple. The higher you reach, the better you can photograph the stunning morning horizon. I arrived around 0445H with my cheater horse cart driver (with very, very slow movement), then parked in-front of the temple and stay inside (very cold with lots of mosquitoes) while trying hard to nap for a moment. Afterwards, I saw some arriving tourists with their rented mountain bikes and horse carts around 0515H. Being flashlight (mobile phone light is enough) as there is a very narrow stairway inside the Pagoda.

Bagan e-biking day tour (sunrise photoshoot on Shweleiktoo Pagoda)

Bagan e-biking day tour (revisiting Shweleiktoo Pagoda)

Bagan e-biking day tour (inside Archeological Zone)

Bagan e-biking day tour (inside Archeological Zone, viewing deck at the top)

Htilominlo Temple is a Buddhist temple built during the reign of King Htilominlo (also known as Nandaungmya) in 1211. The temple is three stories tall, with a height of 46 metres (150 feet), and built with red brick. It is also known for its elaborate plaster moldings. On the first floor of the temple, there are four Buddhas that face each direction. This is where lots of souvenirs items on sale and good photoshoot on far. I bought QTY 2EA souvenir shirts 6,000 for kids. Furthermore, this was the place also where I found the Burmese ethnic group of Kayan Lahwi. Women of the Kayan Lahwi tribe are well known for wearing neck rings, brass coils that are placed around the neck, appearing to lengthen it. Their purpose for wearing the rings is cultural identity.