Half Day Daily Life in Bagan

Beyond the Bagan plains lies a world of an almost provincial simplicity. Guided by the principle that local exploration touches the true heart of Myanmar, it is the daily business practices and deeply-rooted Buddhist believes that has not yet seen a slither of modernisation included in it. Void of emphatically contrasts, this morning tour from your Bagan based overnight address captures the authentic side as a perfect balance between the historical side of one of Myanmar’s most enthralling destinations and that part which is often left aside in favour of pagodas and stupas. Markets and monasteries – we lift the veil on what daily life in Bagan really looks like.

You will meet your English speaking guide for the morning at your hotel in Bagan right after breakfast. Mornings are by far the best way to see what life is really like around Bagan. First stop will be the lively market of Nyaung Oo, located a short drive away from Bagan. On market days, a coming and going of locals and traders from across the region gather around and buy their daily fresh ingredients, household good and clothes. Guests can freely wander around over the partially covered market, take pictures and catch a glimpse of what’s happening in the lives of these locals. We leave our horse-drawn carriage behind and hop in a trishaw (bicycle taxi), one of the popular means to get around town. The end station will be a cheroot factory – skilled cigar makers still put their skills of rolling the perfect Burmese cigar. Perhaps you may give it a go whilst you are surrounded by the smell of cheroot filling up the work place.

Being a monk in Myanmar gives status to the family, and from a very young age, young boys are taught in the ways of following in the footsteps of the Lord Buddha and often spend the rest of their lives in a monastery. Their presence in Nyaung Oo and any other town in Myanmar often come with social responsibilities such as leading the mantras of good fortune during weddings and cremations. Life inside a monastery comes with rules, regulations and moments of serenity in reaching nirvana. At the end of this morning, it is this spiritual encounter with the saffron-clad residents in their ‘home’ that will show you the monastic life of a monk / novice. Before the time of their final meal of the day has arrived, we make our way back to your Bagan-based hotel by horse-drawn carriage, marking the end of an insight of local Bagan.