Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Myanmar (Burma) Taungbi Nat Taung Kyaung

Nat Taung Kyaung

Amazingly, this centuries-old wooden monastery is still standing today.

Taungbi, Myanmar (Burma)

Added By
Max Cortesi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Nat Taung Kyaung.   imageBROKER/Alamy
Nat Taung Kyaung.   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Deva, Nat Taung Kyaung, Bagan.   Anandajoti/cc by-sa 3.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This incredible wooden monastery is the oldest structure of its kind in the Bagan region. There’s evidence that in previous centuries, similar architectural gems were widespread throughout Myanmar, but fire, conflict, pests, and natural elements conspired to erase most of them. With the odds stacked against it, it’s a marvel that this monastery has survived to this day.

Nat Taung Kyaung is not far from Old Bagan. There’s no consensus as to the exact date of its construction, but the most credible estimates claim it’s more than 200 years old.

It’s important to note that Nat Taung Kyaung is not a temple, but a monastery. Most temples were built using stones, bricks, and stucco, but Nat Taung Kyaung, like most other monasteries from its era, is made of wood, a humbler material leading to a limited life expectancy. But as vulnerable as the material may be, Nat Taung Kyaung was built with teak and padauk wood, which, though not as durable as stone or bricks, is still extremely strong and humidity-resistant.

In line with the Burmese architectural tradition, Nat Taung Kyaung exhibits a number of towers with multilayered roofs (pyatthat) and it sits on a wooden platform that forms its base. The intricate carvings decorating the various elements of the monastery have been weathered by the elements, but they still survive as a testimony to the craftsmanship of the artisans that sculpted them. Some restoration work has been undertaken to preserve this architectural jewel.

Related Tags

Woodwork Architecture Monasteries

Know Before You Go

Nat Taung Kyaung is located in Taung-bi village, north of Old Bagan, along the Irrawaddy River. It is an active monastery, with monks residing in the premise.

Community Contributors

Added By

Max Cortesi

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

April 5, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/526/myanmar/bagan/nat-taung-kyaung-monastery
  • http://worldtoptop.com/nat-taung-kyaung/
Nat Taung Kyaung
Unnamed Road
Taungbi
Myanmar (Burma)
21.181831, 94.865162
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Bagan

Nyaung-U, Myanmar (Burma)

miles away

Mount Popa

Myingyan, Myanmar (Burma)

miles away

Thanboddhay Pagoda

Myanmar (Burma)

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Myanmar (Burma)

Myanmar (Burma)

Asia

Places 33
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Bagan

Nyaung-U, Myanmar (Burma)

miles away

Mount Popa

Myingyan, Myanmar (Burma)

miles away

Thanboddhay Pagoda

Myanmar (Burma)

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Myanmar (Burma)

Myanmar (Burma)

Asia

Places 33
Stories 5

Related Places

  • Welcome to the former home of an order of Teutonic knights.

    Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Križanke

    Seek out ‘The Devil’s Court’ in this concert venue located in a former monastery run by an order of Teutonic knights.

  • Bârsana Convent

    Bârsana, Romania

    Bârsana Monastery

    The most impressive example of contemporary Romanian architecture in wood

  • Altar and murals.

    Akhtala, Armenia

    Akhtala Monastery

    This often-missed monastery, set in a scenic mountain landscape, features unique frescoes, fortifications and legends.

  • The holy monastery of Daphni, Chaidari.

    Athens, Greece

    Daphni Monastery

    This lesser-visited World Heritage site in Athens boasts an impressive ensemble of medieval gold mosaics.

  • A white church with four small turrets, two of which appear to twist

    Curtea de Argeș, Romania

    Curtea de Argeș Monastery

    According to a gruesome legend, an architect sacrificed his wife to build this spectacular, 16th-century cathedral.

  • Paintings on the outside of Suceviţa Monastery

    Sucevița, Romania

    Suceviţa Monastery

    This fortress-like monastery is covered with intricate frescoes.

  • Peja, Kosovo

    Patriarchate of Peć

    A UNESCO-protected spiritual seat of the Old Serbian Kingdom and Empire.

  • Prague, Czechia

    Emmaus Monastery

    A quasi-futuristic roof sits atop a medieval Bohemian monastery damaged during World War II.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.