Page 199 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

Yangon to Bagan Central MyanMar 197
Prome Garden Restaurant Yangon Rd T053 25629. excellent Thai curries and fresh fish served in imaginative
On the main road to Yangon, but well out of the town ways – try the prawn kebabs or catfish stew. Mains
centre, this large garden restaurant has tables set out around K4000–6000. Daily 5–11pm.
under the trees and is one of the classiest places to eat in Yokohama Restaurant Strand Rd, near the market
Pyay. The high-quality Chinese food is as delightful as the T09 423 670 456. This is a bright, modern restaurant with
setting, and the menu includes items such as steamed duck English-speaking staff, offering authentic Japanese fare
with asparagus sauce or pork slow-cooked with bean curd like tonkatsu, tori teriyaki, ebi tempura and so on.
in an earthen pot. Mains K5500–6500. Daily 9am–11pm. Small dishes are K1500–2000, larger set meals range
★ Wish River View Restaurant Strand Rd T09 252 from K3000–5000. It’s well worth the short (but dark –
422 828. Lively restaurant with lovely views of the take a torch) walk from the town centre. Daily
spotlit river. The sophisticated menu is filled with 11.30am–2pm & 5–10pm.
DIreCtOry
Banks There are plenty of ATMs around town including at take MasterCard); there’s also a second CB Bank ATM at the
the CB Bank, AGD Bank and MOB (though the latter doesn’t Lucky Dragon Hotel (see p.196).

Magwe
Sprawling along the east bank of the Ayeyarwady River some 240km north of Pyay
and 175km south of Bagan, MAGWE (or “Magway”) is a busy provincial centre and
the capital of Magwe Region, home to a large university and an impressive 2.5km
bridge over the river. There’s not much to interest the casual visitor, although if 4
you’re travelling between Bagan and Pyay you might want to stop for an hour to
have a look around the dusty market and the Mya Tha Lun pagoda, perched on a
hilltop north of the centre. Nga Ka Pwe Taung, half an hour’s drive over the river,
is also worth visiting for its series of bubbling mud pools, formed by butane gas
seeping from the ground.
arrIVal anD DePartUre MaGWe
By bus The bus station is around 2km east of the centre Destinations Bagan (3 daily; 4hr); Mandalay (daily; 8hr);
down Pyi Taw Thar Rd (around K1000 by motorbike taxi, or Meiktila (2 daily; 4hr 30min); Mrauk U (daily; 10hr); Pyay
a little less in a shared pick-up). (4 daily; 5hr); Sittwe (daily; 15hr); Yangon (daily; 12hr).
aCCOMMODatIOn
Htein Htein Tar 17th St T063 23499. The rooms here Nan Htike Thu Hotel Strand Rd, south of the bridge
are comfortable, quiet and come with a/c, TVs and fridges, T09 5632 8204, Wfacebook.com/nanhtikethumagway.
but if you’re travelling as a couple they’re a bit overpriced This is a smart, modern and competitively priced 68-room
– singles are much better value at $30. $60 hotel with well-equipped rooms and a nice pool. $45

VILLAGE LIFE IN YENANGYAUNG
Yenangyaung is a small town basically in the middle of nowhere – a two-hour, 50km drive
northeast of Magwe, or about 100km southeast of nyaung-U. But if you really want to get
under the skin of rural life in Myanmar, this is a great place to do it. not only will you have the
opportunity to explore the surrounding farming villages and go boating down the river, but
you can do it all while based in a truly standout new guesthouse that supports local education
and community projects – which you can also visit. Buses run to Yenangyaung from Magwe
and nyaung-U, and guesthouse staff can provide transport advice.
★ Lei Thar Gone Guesthouse On the edge of a wonderfully relaxed place. There are contemporary
town T060 21620, Wleithargone-guesthouse.com. stone-lined rooms, filled with thoughtful touches such
Mounted atop a rocky crag with views over the hot plains as welcome messages scribbled onto glossy green leaves,
and the shimmering Ayeyarwady River, Lei Thar Gone is and the meals they prepare here are a real highlight. $40

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