Tourists watch sunrise over illuminated temples at Bagan Archaeological Zone, Myanmar
Visitors gather on a temple terrace to witness sunrise over the illuminated golden stupas of Bagan's ancient temple plain in Mandalay Region, Myanmar, April 21, 2015.
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The Dawn Ritual at Bagan
As the first light breaks over the Irrawaddy plains, travelers climb ancient temple steps in darkness, seeking the perfect vantage point for one of the world's most spectacular sunrise views.
A Landscape of Faith
More than 2,000 surviving temples and pagodas dot the 26-square-mile archaeological zone, their golden spires catching the dawn light one by one as day breaks over this sacred landscape that has drawn Buddhist pilgrims for nearly a millennium.
Heritage and Tourism
Bagan remains Myanmar's most visited destination, where the intersection of ancient spirituality and modern tourism creates a unique cultural experience as visitors from around the world witness the same dawn that has illuminated these monuments since the Pagan Kingdom's golden age.
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