Page 294 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

292 MANDALAY AND AROUND INFORMATION • ACTIVITIES • ACCOMMODATION
expensive alternatives. There are also (equally packed) go, although taxis are relatively expensive (and
pick-ups to Amarapura (see p.300) and Sagaing (see significantly pricier than in Yangon). From downtown a
p.305), which you can find rolling down 84th St, near the motorbike taxi to the Mingun ferry terminal or Gawein
junction with 29th St, although these drop you some jetty will set you back K2000–3000, and to the Kwe Se Kan
distance from the sights in both towns, so you’ll have to bus terminal K3000–4000; you can double these fares for
find onward transport in any case. taxis. Hiring a motorbike taxi for the day is an inexpensive
By taxi and motorbike taxi Mandalay’s many taxi and and convenient way to access the various sights around
motorbike taxi drivers will take you anywhere you need to Mandalay (see p.299).
INFORMATION, TRAVEL AGENTS AND TOUR OPERATORS
Ever Smile c/o Rainforest restaurant, 27th St, between Myanmar Upper Land 27th St, between 71st and 72nd
74th and 75th sts T09 4316 1551. Inexpensive local sts T02 65011, Wmyanmarupperland.com. Professional
tours and transport, plus tickets for buses and Bagan tours (private and shared) of the city and surrounding
ferries, and motorbike and bike rental. sights, plus further tours across northern Myanmar.
LM Travel T09 7019 8798, Wlmtravelmyanmar.com. Seven Swan Corner of 27th and 81st sts T09 250 200
7 Reliable local operator offering all the usual city and 404, Esevenswanmyanmar@gmail.com. Efficient
around Mandalay tours, including bike tours and a trip to airlines agents handling tickets for all domestic airlines.
Mingun plus village tour and lunch. Zin Mi c/o Moustache Brothers Theatre, 39th St,
MTT 68th St, between 26th and 27th sts T02 60356. between 80th and 81st sts T09 4315 9591,
The government-run tourist office is a decent place to head Ezinmehtunshinshin1987@gmail.com. Local tours and
for general local information, and they can also book ferry transport arranged by a daughter of Moustache Brother Lu
tickets to Bagan. Daily 9.30am–4.30pm. Maw (see p.297).
ACTIVITIES
BALLOONING MEDITATION
Oriental Ballooning No.C1, corner of 35th & Dhamma Mandala Yaytagun Hill T02 39694,
71st sts T09 256 224 976, Worientalballooning Wmandala.dhamma.org. A large complex with room for
.com. The ultimate escape from the Mandalay crush, 160 visitors, located on a rise around 16km from central
offering privileged bird’s-eye views of the city, Mandalay. Their ten-day introductory courses, which can
the Ayeyarwady and the surrounding countryside. also be conducted in English, are paid for by donations from
Nov to mid-March only; 1 week advance booking those who’ve already benefited from the experience,
required; $380pp. meaning that there are no set fees.
Kyunpin Meditation Centre Kanphyu Village, Wetlet
GOLF Township, Sagaing T09 421 018 765, Wkyunpin.com.
Shwe Mann Taung Golf Resort 73rd St, at the corner Located in Sagaing, around 20km southeast of Mandalay,
of Lan Thit Rd T02 75898. Passable eighteen-hole course this centre receives good reports from foreign visitors.
with nice views of Mandalay Hill. There are no set fees for food or accommodation, and you’ll
be expected to meditate for 12–14hr/day.
MASSAGES AND SPA
GGG 27th St, between 74th and 75th sts T09 4025 SWIMMING
77711. A reliable place for a good Burmese-style massage; Other than the public venue listed here, those fancying a swim
1hr massage K8000. Daily 10am–11pm. can take a dip in the pools at the Ayarwaddy River View (see
Mandalar Spa 10th St, Mandalay Hill Resort hotel, by p.295), Mandalay City (see p.294) or Mandalay Hill Resort (see
Mandalay Hill T02 35638. Attractive spa conveniently p.295) hotels, all of which charge around K5000 per person.
located at the rear of the Mandalay Hill hotel. A good place Yatanaban Swimming Pool 10th St, west of
to re-energize after climbing the hill, with a range of Mandalay Hill Resort hotel. Huge outdoor pool (K2000)
Burmese and international massages and treatments (from near Mandalay Hill, kept reasonably clean and in decent
around K35,000). Daily 8am–10.30pm. shape – but avoid the diving boards. Daily 6am–6pm.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Mandalay is unlikely to set the pulse racing, although there are a few enjoyable upmarket
options, while increasing competition means that mid-range and budget places are now more affordable (and
more widely available) than a few years back. The majority of accommodation is in the downtown area southwest
FROM TOP KUTHODAW PAGODA, MANDALAY P.285; BOATS ON THE AYEYARWADY RIVER, MANDALAY >