Across the main road from Tayok, this complex of three interconnected shrines (the name means 'Three Stupas') is worth seeing for its 13th-century murals. It was abandoned shortly before construction was completed. Each square cubicle is topped by a fat sikhara; a similar structure appears only at Salay. The design is remarkably like Khmer Buddhist ruins in Thailand.

Enter through the middle shrine. To the right (south) are scratched-up, whitewashed walls. The other two shrines (particularly the northernmost one) are home to lovely, vaguely Chinese- or Tibetan-looking mural paintings that contain Bodhisattva figures. Whether these indicate possible Mahayana or Tantric influence is a hotly debated issue among art historians. Some drawings are rather crudely touched up.

The three-shrine design hints at links with the Hindu Trimurti (triad) of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, a triumvirate also associated with Tantric Buddhism. You might also say it represents the Triple Gems of Buddhism (Buddha, dhamma and sangha), except that such a design is uncommon in Asian Buddhist architecture, although it does appear in the Hindu shrines of India and Nepal.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Thambula Pahto

0.12 MILES

This square temple, surrounded by crumbling walls just north of Payathonzu, is decorated with faded Jataka frescoes and was built in 1255 by Thambula, the…

2. Leimyethna Pahto

0.17 MILES

Built in 1222, this east-facing, whitewashed temple near Minnanthu village (a mile or two east of Dhammayazika on the north side of the road) stands on a…

3. Tayok Pye Paya

0.2 MILES

A couple of hundred yards north of Leimyethna by dirt road, this spired temple gets attention for the views from its upper reaches. Damaged in the 2016…

4. Kyat Kan Kyaung

0.3 MILES

Just in front of Nandamannya, this working underground monastery dates from the 11th century. Bring a torch to walk along the cavern-like corridors and…

5. Nandamannya Pahto

0.35 MILES

Dating from the mid-13th century, this small, single-chambered temple has fine frescoes and a ruined seated buddha. It’s about 650ft north of Thambula; a…

6. Nan Myint Tower

0.69 MILES

This silo-shaped building, part of the Tay Za–owned Aureum Palace hotel, has a 9th-floor restaurant and an observation deck on the 12th floor, which…

7. Pyathada Paya

0.98 MILES

Dating from the 13th century, during the latter period of temple building at Bagan, this huge, impressive pagoda used to be a superb and popular sunset…

8. Thabeik Hmauk

1.35 MILES

Facing Sulamani from the east, and well worth visiting, this sikhara-topped temple looks like a miniature version of its more famous neighbour but sees…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "myanmar-burma/bagan-paganregion/bagan/attractions/payathonzu/a/poi-sig/1368693/357084",
      "position": "superzone"
    }