Bagan is home to more than 2,000 ancient Buddhist monuments that are among Myanmar's most venerated religious sites and is a major attraction for its nascent tourist industry.
The former military junta tried to get Bagan listed as a World Heritage site some 20 years ago but was rebuffed, seemingly because of haphazard renovations under its rule.
An earthquake last month destroyed many of those botched restorations.
- AFP