Bagan offers travelers a cultural encounter like no other. Its fabled temples and dramatic landscape stir emotions while the local Burmese smile and invite you to explore their home. One of the most popular methods of travel while in Bagan is to hop on a bike and pedal along the relatively flat plains, another is to take a traditional horse and cart. Of course there is also the Irrawaddy River providing various cruise options. A new addition to the transport circuit is a vintage steam train, running from Bagan to Kyauk Padaung near Mount Popa. The train was manufactured in England in 1947 and was used on Myanmar’s railway system for 55 years between 1950 and 2005 before retiring. It has now been brought back into service and provides a unique experience, gently trundling along the plains at 10mph, allowing passengers plenty of time to photograph the surrounding golden landscape.

The train has just three carriages carrying a maximum of 120 passengers. The ride provides a glimpse into rural life with historic associations stretching back to mid-20th Century and is a wonderful experience for any traveler.