Over Bagan: Aerial Views of Myanmar’s Ancient Stupas
Drifting over the valley of 2000 temples
Drifting Above the Valley of 2000 Temples at Golden Hour
Visiting Bagan, Myanmar had been on my bucket list photography locations for many years. Then, back in February 2017, I joined a group led by Steve Zuba of the Photofly Travel Club for a two-week exploration across Myanmar. Every single day offered a new perspective, but drifting above the iconic Valley of 2000 Temples at dawn completely reset my expectations for aerial landscape photography.Floating silently over the ancient plains of Bagan in a hot air balloon remains one of the most unforgettable experiences of my photography journeys.
From high above, the sheer density of the landscape becomes clear. Scattered across the arid terrain are clusters of brick stupas, framed by dry brush and winding dirt trails. These access paths aren't just for foot traffic—they’re actively traversed by traditional horse-drawn carts, which visitors rent to navigate the sprawling archaeological zone. What makes Bagan so unique is that it isn't merely an open-air museum; many of these sacred structures are actively maintained by local caretakers who tend to the shrines daily, keeping the altars fresh.
Historically, between the 11th and 13th centuries, rulers of the Bagan Kingdom constructed over 10,000 Buddhist monuments across these central plains. Today, around 2,200 survive, ranging from these intimate, clustered stupas to massive, extraordinarily ornate pagodas that defy belief. Capturing the warm morning light grazing the terracotta brickwork from a basket drifting on the gentle breeze presented its own technical challenges, but the perspective was worth every second.
This journey in Myanmar went far beyond Bagan—stretching to Inle Lake, Yangon, and even into North Sumatra to trek through rainforests for orangutans and scale an active volcano. Looking back through these frames has officially ladded a dedicated Myanmar gallery on my upcoming project list.
Explore More of My Adventures
Drifting silently in a hot air balloon over Bagan, Myanmar reveals a labyrinth of ancient brick stupas and dirt trails woven into the landscape. Read the story behind capturing this aerial perspective over the Valley of 2000 Temples.