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"Bagan Memories"

  • Writer: Kaisern Chen
    Kaisern Chen
  • Jan 28
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jun 19

"Bagan Memories" is a collection of my photographs that reflects the beauty of the enchanting city of Bagan, Myanmar, beginning with my first visit in 2011. Renowned for its breathtaking landscape, Bagan is home to over 2,000 ancient temples and pagodas, each narrating a story of the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. This extraordinary destination weaves together a unique tapestry of spirituality and tradition, captivating the hearts of all who explore its sacred grounds.


This visual journey showcases the magical sunrises that set the sky ablaze with hues of orange and gold, as well as the intricate beauty of centuries-old architecture that stands as a testament to history. The collection captures serene moments of daily life among the warm and welcoming locals, along with unforgettable sunsets glimmering along the banks of the Aeyarwady River, painting the horizon in vibrant colors.


Through these photographs, the timeless allure of Bagan is unveiled, revealing beauty and wonder at every turn. Viewers are encouraged to appreciate the harmonious blend of history, culture, and nature that defines this extraordinary landscape. "Bagan Memories" presents a captivating glimpse into the unforgettable experiences this stunning destination has to offer.



Farmers, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Farmers, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Homeward, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Homeward, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Prayer, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Prayer, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Soybean factory worker, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Soybean factory worker, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Flower vendor in the village market, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Flower vendor in the village market, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese boy, Bagan, Myanmar  January 2025
Burmese boy, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese kid, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Burmese kid, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Novice monks alms receiving, Bagan, Myanmar
Novice monks alms receiving, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Nuns, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Nuns, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Novice monks reading, Shwe Inbin Monastery, Bagan, Myanmar     January 2025
Novice monks reading, Shwe Inbin Monastery, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

The iconic!
Steve McCurry, with his Leica SL3, visited the Tun Brothers Studio - a stop he deems essential during every trip to the enchanting city since the 1980s. Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Resilience and hope are remarkable qualities often manifested in individuals facing hardships. These traits enable people to rise above their circumstances, adapt to challenges, and forge a path toward brighter futures.


Boy bigger, Bagan, Myanmar  January 2025
Boy on the street, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese baby, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Burmese baby, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

An orphan novice monk at the Shwe Ghu Monastic School in Bagan, Myanmar, embodies resilience and hope in the face of adversity, radiating a sense of calm and peace.  Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
An orphan novice monk at the Shwe Ghu Monastic School in Bagan, Myanmar, embodies resilience and hope in the face of adversity, radiating a sense of calm and peace. Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Baby in swing cradle, Bagan, Myanmar     January 2025
Baby in swing cradle, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Baby and grandma, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Baby and grandma, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Early morning farm work, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Early morning farm work, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Rice farmers, Bagan, Myanmar
Rice farmers, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Students in the "Tuk Tut", Ayar Jetty, Bagab, Myanmar   January 2025
Students in the "Tuk Tut", Ayar Jetty, Bagab, Myanmar January 2025

Farmers, Ayeyarwady Riverside, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Farmers, Ayeyarwady Riverside, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Lawkanandar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Lawkanandar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese woman, Mandalay region, Myanmar   January 2025
Burmese woman, Mandalay region, Myanmar January 2025

Sunset time by the Aeyarwadee River, Lawkananda Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar
Sunset time by the Aeyarwadee River, Lawkananda Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Classroom, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Classroom, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025


There is no light as bright as knowledge.

~ Burmese proverbs



Classroom, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Classroom, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Steve McCurry and the students, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Steve McCurry and the students, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Meditation, village elderly, Bagan, Myanmar
Meditation, village elderly, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

"Universal love of music" - Farmer enjoys his break with his stereo, Bagan, Myanmar
"Universal love of music" - Farmer enjoys his break with his stereo, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese man reading book in the warehouse yard, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Burmese man reading book in the warehouse yard, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

An elderly woman by the Aeyarwadee River, Aeyar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar
An elderly woman by the Aeyarwadee River, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Kids play at the Lawkanandar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Kids play at the Lawkanandar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Little girl with purse by the Ayeyawady Riverside, Bagan, Myanmar     January 2025
Little girl with purse by the Ayeyawady Riverside, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Primary school student in her classroom, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar
Primary school student in her classroom, Min Nan Thu school, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Classroom, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Classroom, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese kid in her village, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Burmese kid in her village, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025
Little girl at the market, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Little girl at the market, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Farmers' morning activities, Bagan, Myanmar
Farmers' morning activities, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese monks, Taung Ywar Naung, Bagan, Myanmar
Burmese monks, Taung Ywar Naung, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Sunset time at the Lawkanandar Jetty,  Bagan, Myanmar
Sunset time at the Lawkanandar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese farmer, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Burmese farmer, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese boy eating corn, Ayar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Burmese boy eating corn, Ayar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Nya Sung Shin, Toungbi village, Bagan, Myanmar
Nya Sung Shin, Toungbi village, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese nuns, Bagan, Myanmar
Burmese nuns, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese boy, Bagan, Myanmar
Burmese boy, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese girl, Shwe Inbin Monastery, Bagan, Myanmar     January 2025
Burmese girl, Shwe Inbin Monastery, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese woman, Bagan, Myanmar  January 2025
Burmese woman, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese monk washing face, Shwe Inbin Monastery, Bagan, Myanmar     January 2025
Burmese monk washing face, Shwe Inbin Monastery, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Mom applies thanaka powder to her baby, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Mom applies thanaka powder to her baby, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

A Burmese boy ready for his father taking him to school with motorcycle, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
A Burmese boy ready for his father taking him to school with motorcycle, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Farm works, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Farm works, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Farmers, Bagan, Myanmar    January 2025
Farmers, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Nuns raw rice receiving tour, Bagan, Myanmar
Nuns raw rice receiving tour, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Farmer at the Ayar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Farmer at the Ayar Jetty, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

A girl proudly displaying a freshly laid egg from her family's backyard farm, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
A girl proudly displaying a freshly laid egg from her family's backyard farm, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

Burmese girl, Bagan, Myanmar   January 2025
Burmese girl, Bagan, Myanmar January 2025

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