That Byin Nyu Temple

Why That Byin Nyu Temple is special ?

Thatbyinnyu meaning "Omniscience" was built in 1144 A.D by King Alaungsithu, the grandson of Kyansittha. This is the tallest temples of all monuments in Bagan; 61m high overlooking the Bagan scene.

Thatbyinnyu Temple is shaped like a cross, but is not symmetrical. The temple is a four-storeyed building with four corridors and seven terraces attached. The top terrace is the best place to see the best view of Bagan as well as the sunset and sunrise. The architecture of the temple signifies the finest of Myanmar culture. The corners are amazingly straight and the two tiers of windows perfectly admit light and air.

Source: http://myanmartravel.org/

What to explore at That Byin Nyu Temple?

Three receding terraces rise above each storey, ornamented with crenellated parapets and corner stupas. Above the terraces of the upper storey rises a curvilinear spire, surmounted by a slim, tapering stupa which takes the temple up to a height of 201 feet. The great height of the temple and the vertical lines of the ornamental features-the plain pilasters, the flame-like arch pediments, the corner stupas-give a soaring effect to the Thatbyinnyu.

The eastern portico has a central stairway guarded by two standing door-guardians. The stairway leads to an intermediate storey where a corridor runs around the central mass. Two tiers of windows along the walls make the interior bright and airy, but the walls are bare of painting except for some traces in the western portico.

Two stairs built into the thickness of the walls provide access to the terrace above the eastern portico, from where an external flight of stairs leads to the upper storey. Here, a huge image of the Buddha is seated on a masonry throne. A further flight of narrow stairs built into the thickness of the walls leads to the terraces above the upper storey.

The terraces of the Thatbyinnyu provide a good panoramic view of Bagan- of the green and brown landscape, the innumerable monuments, the broad Ayeyarwaddy river, and the distant hills to the east and west.

To the southwest of the Thatbyinnyu are two tall stone pillars with foliations in an inverted V pattern.

To the northeast of the Thatbyinnyu is the small gayocho or "tally" temple. To keep count of the bricks in the building of the Thatbyinnyu, one brick was set aside for every 10,000 used, and this small temple was built with the bricks thus set aside.

Source: http://bagan.travelmyanmar.net

How to get to That Byin Nyu Temple?

Thatbyinnyu Temple takes 20 minutes driving from Nyaung U Airport. Local taxi and horse cart is easy to catch at the airport. E-bikes (electric bicycles) and e-scooters are available from many shops in town from 3,000-6,000 kyats for a a trip to the temple.