Dhammayangyi Temple

About this place

Dhammayangyi Temple is the largest and widest temple in Bagan, a massive stepped pyramid of red brick seen from far across the plain of temples. Its layout is like that of nearby Ananda Temple, but it looks heavier and sterner. It was built in the reign of King Narathu, between 1167 and 1170. Burmese chronicles say the king was killed before the work was done, so the temple was left unfinished. For reasons no one knows, the inner corridors were bricked up, so visitors can only enter the four porches and the outer corridors. You walk through tall, dark outer corridors past walls of brick laid with great precision. From outside you see its stepped tiers, arched windows and stone details, and the colour of the brick changes with the sun. From a distance it rises among the trees of the plain, and balloons sometimes float above it at dawn. Ananda Temple is about 1 km away in a straight line, and Thatbyinnyu Temple about 1.3 km. Bring a torch for the dark corridors, and go barefoot. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to this area, so read the current advice before you plan.