Myanmar will learn in 2019 if the temple-studded plain at Bagan has been granted World Heritage status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 23 years after an initial attempt to have the site added to the coveted list.

It’s nearly impossible to picture Bagan without hot air balloons beautifully clouding the historic horizon. Bagan’s balloons have become an iconic symbol of the region, and have carried many travelers on soaring adventures of a lifetime. Here’s how to experience an unforgettable birds-eye view of Bagan, Myanmar.

Although Myanmar has made massive leaps in development, it currently doesn’t have the infrastructure to support the influx of tourists that it is getting. So to those that are unsure about travelling here, these are reasons why not to visit Myanmar to show you why it’s worth the trip!

The Bagan Lodge is an oasis amongst the ancient temples in Myanmar’s magnificent city, Bagan. Located 700 km north of Yangon, Bagan is home to the most concentrated collection of ancient Buddhist ruins in the world. After a hot and dusty day of visiting a large selection of pagodas and temples still remaining, this property, on the outskirts of the archaeological zone, allows the visitor to recharge and process the abundance of historic structures they have no doubt spent the day exploring.

As tourism in Myanmar grows, so is the popularity of Burmese food. From delicious curries to their many amazing salads, Burmese food was something that thoroughly surprised me. So without further ado, let’s head straight for the good stuff.

If you’re traveling to Myanmar, at some point you’ll find yourself at the Bagan Archaeological Zone and boy, will you be blown away! Thousands of temples, stupas, and pagodas within a 20 square mile radius, this site is the key to experiencing the true Myanmar and understanding the religious devotion of its people. Although your K25,000 ($18) entry fee will be valid for five days, you won’t get time to visit every single monument. So how do you choose which ones to see? Each religious site has a unique story to tell or provides views unlike anywhere else in the world! To help you decide and make the most of your time here are our top picks for the best temples in Bagan and which ones to visit.