DURING the upcoming Tazaungdine holiday period, which marks the start of the open season, over 60 traditional horse carts that go well with the cultural heritage of the Bagan will be available to serve both local and international visitors, according to the Bagan Horse Cart Association.

In Bagan, two main horse cart stands at Thatbyinnyu and Ananda temples operate regular routes, provide private hire services, and offer transportation to other locations. Moreover, horse cart stands are set up near famous pagodas such as Htilominlo, Culamani, Shwesandaw, and near Sakura, Tharapa, Bagan Thante and Bagan hotels to offer services for both local and foreign travellers.

“The travellers ride from Thatbyinnyu to other places. Foreign visitors mostly rent entire carts, while local travellers often ride with families or in groups. During the Thadingyut holidays, horse cart services in Bagan went smoothly. Prices have slightly increased, but since many hotels have already been booked in advance for the upcoming Tazaungdaing holidays, we are expecting a high number of visitors. As Bagan depends largely on tourism, during times when there are fewer visitors, locals turn to farming and other businesses for income. Therefore, we make efforts to preserve horse carts to ensure they do not disappear over time. We are preparing to provide the best services during the Tazaungdine festival so that the travellers can travel peacefully and comfortably,” said U Myat Thu, chairman of the Bagan Horse Cart Association.

Among more than hundreds of horse carts in the Bagan region, over 60 are currently operating during the festival period, while during regular days, about 30 horse carts run mainly from the two main stands, Thatbyinnyu and Ananda. Local and foreign visitors can visit Thatbyinnyu, ride horse carts around pagodas, or travel by horse cart to Shwekoncha Pagoda (near the Ayeyawady River), Nat Taung Monastery (Ancient Wooden Monastery), Shwegugyi Pagoda, Yinmana Hill (Bagan viewpoint), and other significant pagodas and stupas to enjoy the natural beauty of the Bagan region.

Before the introduction of battery-powered bicycles, three-wheeled motorbikes, and motorcycles, visitors used to travel around pagodas, stupas, and temples by horse cart in the Bagan cultural zone. Although modern transportation has become more common due to its speed and convenience, both local and foreign travellers continue to prefer horse cart rides as they harmonize with the cultural atmosphere of Bagan.

During the Thadingyut festival, which marks the beginning of the travel season, hotel rooms in the Bagan ancient cultural zone were fully booked. Similarly, for the Tazaungdaing holiday period from 1 to 4 November, hotels have already been reserved in advance. The Bagan Horse Cart Association has also prepared travel routes in advance to ensure visitors can explore and appreciate the ancient cultural heritage and natural beauty of the Bagan region during the Tazaungdaing festival. — Thitsa(MNA)/KTZH