The Lonely Planet guidebook said "If you see only a temple or two... make it to Ananda, one of the finest, largest, best-preserved and most revered of all Bagan temples." Its central tower, 52 meters high, and four corner towers were gilded in 1990 on the 900th anniversary of its construction. It held glazed tiles, carved doors, many lion statues and four standing Buddhas facing the four cardinal points of the compass. We agree that it is one of Bagan's most beautiful temples, and we especially enjoyed this view at sunset from the Shwesandaw Paya.