Page 293 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

GETTING AROUND MANDALAY AND AROUND 291

BOAT TRIPS FROM MANDALAY
Considering the wealth of destinations both up and down the Ayeyarwady River, it’s no
surprise that a fair proportion of visitors to Mandalay rock up on a boat. You’re advised to book
ahead; again, travel agencies will help if your accommodation can’t (and may occasionally
include transfers to the jetty); some companies now allow you to book online. Unless
otherwise stated, all services arrive at and depart from the Gawein jetty area, 3km west of the
centre at the end of 35th St; the exact point will depend upon the river level. Boat trips to
Mingun are covered in the Mingun section (see p.307). A number of luxury cruises (see
p.30) also start in, terminate at, or pass through Mandalay.
TO BAGAN
There are a number of services to Bagan. The three private companies listed below all run
boats departing at 7am and arriving in Bagan around 4.30–5pm. Tickets on all three cost $42
including breakfast and lunch. The Malikha and MGRG ferries are generally reckoned a bit nicer
than the slightly battered Shwe Keinnery boats.
Malikha River Cruises 4 Pearl St, between 77th and 38th St, between 79th and 80th sts T02 66204, 7
78th sts T09 7314 5748, Wmalikha-rivercruises.com. Wmgrgexpress.com. Departures daily.
Departures most days. Shwe Keinnery Seinpan Rd, between 35th and 36th
Myanmar Golden River Group/Pioneer (MGRG) sts T02 63983. Departures daily.
TO THE NORTH
An IWT government boat runs three times weekly (in theory, on Mon, Thurs & Sat) to Bhamo
(at least 30hr; $12 on deck, $80 in a cabin) via Kyaukmyaung and Katha at 6am. Faster special
Express boats depart daily for Katha (around 16hr), travelling via Kyaukmyaung, Tagaung and
Tigyaung; if heading to Bhamo, you’ll need to spend the night in Katha and then catch another
boat the next morning to Bhamo (around 7hr).

and 83rd St. They are most frequent early in the morning, interest; services to Myitkyina and other places to the
and may not run after 3pm. north use the main station, and actually start their
journey by heading south.
BY TRAIN Destinations Nyaung U, for Bagan (2 daily; 7–12hr);
Mandalay Railway Station The main station is centrally Bago (3 daily; 13hr); Hsipaw (1 daily; 11hr); Kyaukme
located just off 30th St, between 78th and 79th sts. There’s (1 daily; 10hr); Lashio (1 daily; 16hr); Monywa (1 daily;
a tourist information office as you enter (on your left); 5hr); Myitkyina (4 daily; 18–21hr); Naba, for Katha
tickets are sold upstairs, though queues get longer as (3 daily; 10–15hr); Nawngpeng, for Gokteik Viaduct
departure times approach. (1 daily; 7hr); Naypyitaw (3 daily; 6hr); Pyin Oo
North Station Note that there’s also a small station just Lwin (1 daily; 4hr); Shwebo (4 daily; 3hr); Taungoo
off the palace’s northwest corner, though the line (3 daily; 8–9hr); Thazi (3 daily; 2hr 45min); Yangon
heading north from here doesn’t go anywhere of tourist (3 daily; 15hr).
GETTING AROUND
By bicycle and motorbike Almost pancake-flat, bikes and motorbikes can be rented from Mr Jerry, just
Mandalay would be a great city in which to cycle were it not north of Mann bar on 83rd St, between 25th and 26th sts,
for the sometimes heavy traffic, which can make for a and from Ever Smile at Rainforest restaurant (see p.296).
nerve-wracking experience. Almost everywhere in this Count on around K2000/day for bikes, and from K5000/day
chapter can be reached by bike (though Mingun is a bit of a upwards for motorbikes. In addition, Mandalay Motorbike
stretch, and Pinya and Paleik are only for dedicated Rentals and Tours at 32nd St, between 79th and 80th sts
pedallers); if you fancy a fun little trip, try crossing the (T09 444 022 182, Wmandalaymotorbike.com), has a
small bridge which starts just beyond the western end of wide range of quality bikes starting from K10,000 per day
14th St into the pretty little village beyond. If you do decide and also arranges guided tours around the north.
to cycle you may want to rent a bike on your first day and By bus and pick-up Mandalay does have a bus network
keep it with you until leaving Mandalay. Renting a of sorts, though precious few foreigners ever use it – the
motorbike is another possibility, although again traffic is a numbers are all in Burmese, vehicles are packed to the gills
concern. Bikes are available at some hotels, while both and it’s simply easier to use the only slightly more