Bagan museums are a great way to learn about the rich history and culture of the ancient city of Bagan in Myanmar. With several museums to choose from, visitors can explore a wide range of art and artifacts, including sculptures, pottery, textiles, and manuscripts. Many of the museums also offer guided tours, which provide a more in-depth understanding of the collections and the history of Bagan. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most popular museums in Bagan, including the Bagan Archaeological Museum, the Lacquerware Museum, and the Manuha Temple Museum.
Bagan Archaeological Museum
The Bagan Archaeological Museum is the main museum in Bagan and is located in the city of Nyaung-U. The museum is housed in a colonial-style building and contains a large collection of artifacts from the Bagan period, including sculptures, pottery, and manuscripts. The museum also has a section dedicated to the history of Bagan, including information about the city’s kings, temples, and inscriptions.
One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of stone and bronze Buddha images, which date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. There are also several large-scale stone reliefs, depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha and other important figures in Buddhism.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and guided tours are available in English and Burmese.
Lacquerware Museum
The Lacquerware Museum is located in the city of Nyaung-U and is dedicated to the traditional art of lacquerware, which is a method of decorating objects with a resin made from the sap of the lacquer tree. The museum has a large collection of lacquerware objects, including bowls, plates, boxes, and trays, as well as traditional tools used for making lacquerware.
One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of ancient lacquerware objects, which date back to the Bagan period. There are also several examples of contemporary lacquerware, which demonstrate the ongoing tradition of this art form in Myanmar.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and guided tours are available in English and Burmese.
Manuha Temple Museum
The Manuha Temple Museum is located in the city of Old Bagan and is housed in the Manuha Temple, which is one of the oldest temples in Bagan. The temple is known for its large statues of the Buddha, which are said to have been brought to Bagan by King Manuha, who was captured by the Bagan king in the 11th century.
The museum contains a collection of artifacts from the Bagan period, including sculptures, pottery, and manuscripts. One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of stone inscriptions, which provide important information about the history of Bagan and the reign of King Manuha.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and guided tours are available in English and Burmese.
