Also in Myanmar is a recommendation from Associate Professor Randall G. Styers. He suggests the ancient city of Bagan (formerly Pagan) in Burma.
Between the 9th and 13th centuries CE, Bagan kings and other believers in Theravada Buddhism — the most ancient, conservative branch of Buddhism — built more than 10,000 Buddhist temples.
Today, more than 2,000 of these temples remain, the majority of which are located within the Bagan Archaeological Zone.
Styers notes the effect that the site has on visitors, calling it "breathtakingly beautiful and utterly magical." As with many places of worship, visitors are asked to be respectful by wearing modest clothing and removing footwear before entering.
There are several ways to explore Bagan. The least expensive option is to rent a bicycle. You can also take a horse-and-cart guided tour, though horses have to follow different tracks than bicycles and cannot reach all the areas. For a more modern way to travel, taxi cabs are available.
But without a doubt, the most memorable way to explore Bagan is via a hot-air balloon ride. These are usually around $305 per person and offer amazing views from the sky.
Regardless of how you get to the temples, the best time of day to go is at dawn or dusk, when the sun rises and falls over the plain.