Sulamani Guphaya Temple
Sulamani Guphaya Temple
4.5
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- Kevin SPontypridd, United Kingdom6,233 contributionsWorth a short visitSurrounded by a circular wall, inside a large part of it is used by local shops selling souvenirs. A viewing mound is very near for sunset use, to avoid crowds we took in that view daytime. Currently the top is covered with scaffold and green sheeting undergoing repair.Visited January 2020Written February 13, 2020
- Richard BEdinburgh, United Kingdom3,979 contributionsSolomonSolomon, Sulamani, Soleimini, Suleimani appears to be popular all over the world and within different cultures. In Bagan, however, the Sulamani Phaya is hugely impressive both inside and out. The huge structure can be seen from some distance due to the flat elevation of the surrounding countryside. This temple is a draw for local people and tourists alike. The walls are adorned with frescoes internally. Large and small Buddhas sit in various positions in the temple. A great piece of ancient history and architecture. A must when in Bagan.Visited February 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten February 2, 2020
- Shreya SahaPhitsanulok, Thailand939 contributionsShaped Like an Umbrella PagodaVery elegant multi-storey structure called Sulamani Pagoda. The Sulamani is a two storey structure with a square layout with a spire ornament shaped like an umbrella on top of it – its red brick color lits up beautifully when the sun tends to go down. We had find the beautiful picture of sun setting.Visited March 2019Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
544 reviews
Excellent
363
Very good
147
Average
32
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia15,697 contributions
Mar 2020
This temple is one of the main tourist attractions in Bagan. There is no access to the second storey.
There are so many temples to see in Bagan, that it gets a bit boring after visiting a few. Especially with the rule to remove shoes and socks. Cleaning my feet after every visit to a temple, became tiresome.
There are so many temples to see in Bagan, that it gets a bit boring after visiting a few. Especially with the rule to remove shoes and socks. Cleaning my feet after every visit to a temple, became tiresome.
Written April 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherry
Mandalay, Myanmar29 contributions
Feb 2020
Sulamani Guphaya Temple was built by King Narapatisithu. The temple has a Meditation Monument. You can see many Ink words and well painting in the wall. It has two story building structure and amazing architecture style.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OTT12
London323 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
This one of the most wonderful Pagoda you could possibly visit in the Bagan area.
Built about a thousand years ago, it is covered in old painted images of Buddha and other buddhist images. The Pagoda has huge importance to Buddhists and you can immerse your self into the power this place has.
Always dress appropriately and don't for to bring with you a pack of moist tissues so you can clean your feet from the dust as you will not be allowed shoes as in all Temples and places of worship.
Visit it at your first opportunity as more and more tourists are coming now which will make all these places more and more congested.
Built about a thousand years ago, it is covered in old painted images of Buddha and other buddhist images. The Pagoda has huge importance to Buddhists and you can immerse your self into the power this place has.
Always dress appropriately and don't for to bring with you a pack of moist tissues so you can clean your feet from the dust as you will not be allowed shoes as in all Temples and places of worship.
Visit it at your first opportunity as more and more tourists are coming now which will make all these places more and more congested.
Written March 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bkhaw
Milton, MA19 contributions
Oct 2018
Sulamini Cave Temple is one of the temples that is a must visit. More recent earthquake has caused the stupa to collapse but it is under reconstruction. The cave temple vestibule is still intact with many impressive frescoes but they are in need of preservation or restoration. It is a pity that UNESCO world heritage would not consider such sites as world heritage. One reason given was that the Myanmar Government allowed hotels to be built in the area. The area is a very large area, and European ideas of what is appropriate is being shoved down the throats of the Asians. This is hypocrisy since there are heritage sites on much smaller scale such as theThe Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, one of Italy's UNESCO World Heritage Sites has hotel very close to the site. More visitors should be more sensitive to the Asian culture and need and register their opposition to how world heritage site are designated.
Written November 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL19,561 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
We really enjoyed walking in and around this stunning place. The temple is well maintained and kept, and has so much history behind it. The place is well preserved and will be very soon one of the World UNESCO sites.
Written October 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElenSun-Hi
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia146 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
I love how each of the temples here have their own back stories and their own identity. Travelling to a lot of places, the temples gets old pretty fast, and they all start to look the same, but this is certainly not the case in Bagan. My favourite temple is definitely Htilomilo and this, and again, do hire a knowledgeable local or tour guide to bring you around.
Written December 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia9,802 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
One of the more popular temples for good reason. Built in 1183 - yes 1183! by King Narapatisithu. The temple was restored after the 1975 earthquake, and uses brick and stone, with frescoes in the interior of the temple. It was rebuilt in 1994.
I was taken back with the beauty of the frescos and enjoyed taking my time in this quiet and peaceful temple.
To avoid the heat, walk along the white marble tiles rather than the black ones.
You don't have to worry about hawkers here - it has a certain sense of peace and wonderment.
I was taken back with the beauty of the frescos and enjoyed taking my time in this quiet and peaceful temple.
To avoid the heat, walk along the white marble tiles rather than the black ones.
You don't have to worry about hawkers here - it has a certain sense of peace and wonderment.
Written October 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RMartinSDXB
Buenos Aires, Argentina1,684 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
This beautiful temple its included in the Bagan Archaeological Zone pass that now a days cost 20 USD (or 20 Euros, don't ask why) and that you purchase when you arrive in Bagan either at the Airport or close to the Boat ports. Its mandatory to exhibit this pass (that last for 5 days) if required by some authority in a temple and usually Sulamani Guphaya Temple its one of the most common places to check it.
The temple itself its quite nice, has an unique design and architecture (kind of creepy as well), and you will find a small market within the walls of the temples. As any other temple in Asia, you have to remove your shoes but what it makes it more difficult here its the amount of bats that you will find inside of this temple. So be prepare to dodge some bat excrement while walking inside. The second floor of this temple is restricted usually until sunset so be prepared and have a lot of patience with you.
The temple itself its quite nice, has an unique design and architecture (kind of creepy as well), and you will find a small market within the walls of the temples. As any other temple in Asia, you have to remove your shoes but what it makes it more difficult here its the amount of bats that you will find inside of this temple. So be prepare to dodge some bat excrement while walking inside. The second floor of this temple is restricted usually until sunset so be prepared and have a lot of patience with you.
Written February 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia W
Fort Wayne, IN244 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Bagen or Pagen
Officially known as the Bagan Archaeological Zone, which is comprised of Old Bagan, New Bagan and Nyaung U. The site is massive and not something manageable easily. The entrance fee is $10 US, which can be picked up at your hotel or tour director, the fee remains in effect for your entire visit. An excursion you may wish to consider would the 45 minute flights with Balloons over Bagan to view the sunrise or sunset, which does include a bottle of champagne the cost is approximately $350 per person. The memories of the flight will last a lifetime. To traverse this area you do have a variety of possible forms of transportation; bicycles, horse carts, pick up's, taxi, private car, and trishaw. Translators are available if necessary.
Old Bagan is the heart of the old palace walls - it has the high end goods and services located near the river. New Bagan has many riverside restaurants and more moderately priced hotels. Finally Nyaung U has the livelinest options for food and lots of guesthouses and bungalows, more towards the low end of the budget.
To begin to understand the Temples of Bagan prior to and even after your visit is an impossible feat. It's an area of about nine square miles, comprised of over 3000 temples dating back to the 11th thru 13th century. Even today after years of popularizing the area, it remains a marvel which must be seen and experienced. The rises and falls of various kings, it's decline through occupation, then the 1975 earthquake, changes in political favor created this magnificent area of ruins, temples and pagoda's.
We visited eight sites during our visit, each every different from one another, none of which I feel I could amping explain in much detail due to my truly limited knowledge. From an experiential level they all were worth the visit, would have appreciated having additional time to wander the site just to continue to marvel at the magnificence of the area.
Shwegugyi is an excellent example of the middle period 11th century it's also known as the "Great Golden Cave." Ananda Pahto, of the ones we visited the closest to being completely restored, which was suggested would be in another 10 years. This restoration is being done under the guidelines of UNESCO, which had turned down the sites designation due to the various methods the county had undertaken when they were restoring the site alone. Shwesandaw Paya also known as the "Sunset Pagoda." You can climb five terraces for a 360 degree view of the site from above and bask in the sunsets. Take a few minutes and notice some of the work completed prior to UNESCO guideline being followed. The view is breathtaking.
Sulamani Pahto where four images of buddhas face the four directions of the building. The temple is also known as the "Crowning Jewel." Gubyaukgyi also known as "Great Painted Cave Temple" a wonderful example of well preserved richly wall colored paintings inside, make sure you carry a flashlight with you to examine the works in detail. Nan Paya, the central sanctuary's four stone pillars reliefs have been completely carved from sandstone. There remains some speculation to this day as to if the stupa was Hindi or Buddhist. Nandamannya Pahto known for its mural of the "Temptation of Mara" in which nubile females attempt to distract the Buddha from meditation session that led to his enlightenment.
Last stupa visited Bupaya it's right on the banks of the Ayeryarwady. It's a cylinder Pyu style stupa said to date back further than any other temple in Bagan. The golden stupa above the row of terraces is a reconstruction, it was completely destroyed during the 1975 earthquake.
Read, learn, plan, select and enjoy. Min ga ba (Hello) Ce zu beh (Thank you)
Officially known as the Bagan Archaeological Zone, which is comprised of Old Bagan, New Bagan and Nyaung U. The site is massive and not something manageable easily. The entrance fee is $10 US, which can be picked up at your hotel or tour director, the fee remains in effect for your entire visit. An excursion you may wish to consider would the 45 minute flights with Balloons over Bagan to view the sunrise or sunset, which does include a bottle of champagne the cost is approximately $350 per person. The memories of the flight will last a lifetime. To traverse this area you do have a variety of possible forms of transportation; bicycles, horse carts, pick up's, taxi, private car, and trishaw. Translators are available if necessary.
Old Bagan is the heart of the old palace walls - it has the high end goods and services located near the river. New Bagan has many riverside restaurants and more moderately priced hotels. Finally Nyaung U has the livelinest options for food and lots of guesthouses and bungalows, more towards the low end of the budget.
To begin to understand the Temples of Bagan prior to and even after your visit is an impossible feat. It's an area of about nine square miles, comprised of over 3000 temples dating back to the 11th thru 13th century. Even today after years of popularizing the area, it remains a marvel which must be seen and experienced. The rises and falls of various kings, it's decline through occupation, then the 1975 earthquake, changes in political favor created this magnificent area of ruins, temples and pagoda's.
We visited eight sites during our visit, each every different from one another, none of which I feel I could amping explain in much detail due to my truly limited knowledge. From an experiential level they all were worth the visit, would have appreciated having additional time to wander the site just to continue to marvel at the magnificence of the area.
Shwegugyi is an excellent example of the middle period 11th century it's also known as the "Great Golden Cave." Ananda Pahto, of the ones we visited the closest to being completely restored, which was suggested would be in another 10 years. This restoration is being done under the guidelines of UNESCO, which had turned down the sites designation due to the various methods the county had undertaken when they were restoring the site alone. Shwesandaw Paya also known as the "Sunset Pagoda." You can climb five terraces for a 360 degree view of the site from above and bask in the sunsets. Take a few minutes and notice some of the work completed prior to UNESCO guideline being followed. The view is breathtaking.
Sulamani Pahto where four images of buddhas face the four directions of the building. The temple is also known as the "Crowning Jewel." Gubyaukgyi also known as "Great Painted Cave Temple" a wonderful example of well preserved richly wall colored paintings inside, make sure you carry a flashlight with you to examine the works in detail. Nan Paya, the central sanctuary's four stone pillars reliefs have been completely carved from sandstone. There remains some speculation to this day as to if the stupa was Hindi or Buddhist. Nandamannya Pahto known for its mural of the "Temptation of Mara" in which nubile females attempt to distract the Buddha from meditation session that led to his enlightenment.
Last stupa visited Bupaya it's right on the banks of the Ayeryarwady. It's a cylinder Pyu style stupa said to date back further than any other temple in Bagan. The golden stupa above the row of terraces is a reconstruction, it was completely destroyed during the 1975 earthquake.
Read, learn, plan, select and enjoy. Min ga ba (Hello) Ce zu beh (Thank you)
Written January 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jittima P
952 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
The paintings are all around inside the pagoda.
The sculptures outside are also nice.
The building is in square shape so there are buddha images at 4 sides.
The sculptures outside are also nice.
The building is in square shape so there are buddha images at 4 sides.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AustriaUrlauber
Vienna, Austria103 contributions
Was the Temple destroyed after the earthquake in august?
Michel L
Switzerland76 contributions
The upper part of the temple fall down. But fortunatelly the inside temple has been preserved. At the moment they already start to restore with UNESCO help.
sgb2005
San Francisco, CA17 contributions
Hello! Does anyone have suggestions for how to make a reservation at Motel Zein? We tried booking at Asia Travel's system but was told we could not booked because of nationality (US). We think this location is great and would love to stay here, but haven't found a way to actually book. Thank you!
OTT12
London323 contributions
Unfortunately the only site offering this hotel is Asiatravel so I would only suggest that you try and find a local travel agent that might be able to help. Sorry I can be of more help.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sulamani Guphaya Temple
- We recommend booking Sulamani Guphaya Temple tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Sulamani Guphaya Temple tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Sulamani Guphaya Temple:
- (1.18 mi) The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate
- (1.81 mi) Ananta Bagan Hotel
- (2.42 mi) Blue Bird Hotel
- (2.01 mi) Bagan Lodge
- (2.63 mi) Hotel Zein
- Restaurants near Sulamani Guphaya Temple:
- (0.98 mi) Yar Pyi Vegetarian Restaurant
- (1.08 mi) Khaing Shwe Wah
- (1.04 mi) Be Kind to Animals The Moon
- (1.47 mi) San Thi Dar Restaurant
- (2.22 mi) TS Bagan Restaurant
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