Page 269 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

KAYAH STATE INLE LAKE AND THE EAST 267
(1km), (1km), (1.2km), Kayah Cultural Museum (1.7km) & (2km) Christ the King Cathedral (700m), Airport (1km) & Bus Station (1.8km)
Footbridge
LOIKAW ACCOMMODATION
Naung Kan Thar Yaw 2
Yah Kayah Resort 3
Lake Kayan Golden
Sky Guesthouse 6
Loikaw Lodge 1
Min Ma Haw Motel 5
Nan Ayar 4
EATING
Golden Lion 4
Loikaw Lodge 1 6
AGD Bank
Red Dynasty 2
Balu Chaung CB Bank KBZ Bank Shwe Ya Ti 3
N KBZ Bank
GANGAW ST Balu Chaung
Shwe Taung
Monastery
Aya Bank Weaving Centre (200m)
0 200 KHATTAR ST
metres Taung Kwe Pagoda

The compact town centre is wrapped within a bend of the serpentine Balu Chaung
River, with the rocky Taung Kwe Pagoda on its southern side. North of the river
(a ten-minute walk from the centre) lies pretty little Naung Yah Lake, surrounded
by parkland and a string of restaurants. Further north is the second – larger –
Hteenhgarylar Lake, where you’ll find the town’s more upmarket accommodation
and the State Cultural Museum.
Taung Kwe Pagoda
Immediately south of the town centre • Daily 6am–6pm • Free, camera K500
Loikaw’s most interesting – and certainly its most visible – sight is the wacky Taung
Kwe Pagoda, on the south side of the town centre. This is one of Myanmar’s more
outlandish temples, with an impressive string of jagged limestone outcrops
pin-cushioned with dozens of gilded little stupas and colourful shrines, the whole
faintly kitsch-looking ensemble linked together with winding steps and staircases.
There are impressive views over town and a further string of temple-topped hills
nearby, and the whole thing is impressively illuminated after dark.
Kayah State Cultural Museum
North of the centre, near the Kayah Resort • Tues–Sun 9.30am–4.30pm • K5000
A couple of kilometres north of town stands Kayah State’s inevitable Cultural Museum.
Recent renovations mean it at least looks a bit fresher than other identikit museums
around the country, although the exhibits – traditional dress and jewellery, musical
instruments and assorted artefacts of local ethnic life – are pretty much par for
the course.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LOIKAW
Loikaw can easily be combined with a tour of Inle Lake, perhaps flying up to Loikaw from Yangon then continuing by bus or
boat to Nyaungshwe (or vice versa). Frustratingly, foreigners aren’t allowed to take the bus between Taunggyi and Loikaw,
although you can use this route (a 3hr drive) if travelling with an authorized guide.

By plane There are regular flights from Loikaw’s small By bus, minibus and pick-up Given that foreigners
airport, just north of the centre, to Yangon (1–2 daily; aren’t allowed to take direct services to Taunggyi,
50min), but nowhere else. travelling north from Loikaw means you’ll have to take