Bagan’s fabled temples and pagodas are a sight to behold: over 2000 religious monuments are scattered around the Bagan plains, offering respite and solace for Burmese Buddhists and awe-inspiring scenes for visitors who want to grasp the feeling of what once was the centre of an old Kingdom. This ancient administrative and ruling centre of a bygone era took root in the 8th century but only rose to glory as capital of the First Kingdom of Myanmar in the early 11th century. By day, Bagan tends to bring out ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ out of visitors but once you’ve tasted the dream of flight, an early morning hot air balloon flight over centuries of magnificence will even silence the most avid travellers from ascent to descent.