On the bank of the Ayeyarwady River (reached from the Nyaung U road, about 650ft northwest of the Mahabodhi Paya), this cylindrical Pyu-style stupa, named for bu (gourd), is said to date from the 3rd century, which makes it older than any Bagan temple. Most likely it was erected around the same time as the city walls (around 850).

What’s seen now – a gold stupa above a row of crenulated terraces leading down to the water – is a reconstruction; the 1975 earthquake demolished the original.

Off the road to the southeast is the Pebinkyaung Paya, a 12th-century pagoda built in a unique Sinhalese style.


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Nearby attractions

1. Mahabodhi Paya

0.25 MILES

Unlike any other Bagan temple, this monument, located on the north side of the main road 1000ft west of the gate, is modelled after the famous Mahabodhi…

2. Gawdawpalin Pahto

0.36 MILES

Standing 197ft tall, Gawdawpalin is one of the largest and most imposing Bagan temples, although by no means the most inspiring, with its modernised altar…

3. Shwegugyi

0.42 MILES

Built by Alaungsithu in 1131, this smaller but elegant pahto (temple), 650ft north of Thatbyinnyu, is an example of Bagan’s middle period of temple…

4. Bagan Golden Palace

0.43 MILES

Following similar government-mandated palace reconstruction jobs in Bago, Mandalay and Shwebo, this towering concrete-and-steel-reinforced edifice was…

5. Palace Site

0.44 MILES

There's very little left of Bagan's original palace complex. Just a few bits of wall protruding out of the ground and a few lumps and bumps indicating…

6. Archaeological Museum

0.49 MILES

Housed in a sprawling complex, this government-run museum features many fine pieces from Bagan (reclining buddhas, original images, inscribed stones and…

7. Pitaka Taik

0.5 MILES

Following the sacking of Thaton, King Anawrahta is said to have carted off some 30 elephant-loads of Buddhist scriptures in 1058 and built this library …

8. Tharabar Gate

0.52 MILES

Do stop on the eastern side of this former entrance to the original palace site. The gate is the best-preserved remains of the 9th-century wall and the…