Chasing the Pre-Dawn Balloon Spectacle

Watching the hot air balloons take flight over Bagan is a thrilling experience that begins long before the sun rises. If you wish to witness both the sunrise and the behind-the-scenes balloon inflations, an early start is essential. Setting your alarm for 5:00 AM allows you to prepare and leave your hotel by 5:30 AM, reaching the launch grounds just as the morning setup begins around 6:20 AM before the balloons ascend at 6:50 AM.

The primary launch location for the iconic red balloons is hidden along a quiet dirt road behind the Kyansittha Umin Monastery on Anawrahta Road, near the Nyaung-U power station. For visitors navigating the area, looking for landmarks like the Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi and Shin Bo Me Brick Monastery across the main road will guide you directly to this tucked-away launch spot.

Alternatively, a second launch site for multi-colored balloons offers easier access right at the junction of Anawrahta Road and Kyansittha Road, near the open fields by the Nan Myint Tower base. Located right beside the main road on the shortcut toward Shwezigon Pagoda, this open viewpoint makes it effortless for spectators to marvel at the massive balloons as they inflate and gracefully take to the morning sky.