Page 344 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

342 NortherN MyaNMar Katha to Mandalay
There are 33 excavation sites scattered across the countryside. While they’re signed in
English, it’s a good idea to have a local driver or guide to show you the way. Pits 26, 29
and 30 all contain human remains, with some of the skeletons in Pit 29 still wearing
bracelets around their wrists. Further afield, site 22 is an interesting religious building
with altars of polished stones arranged on three sides.
There is also a private museum ($10; kyat not accepted), run by a supercilious monk.
The museum consists of a single display cabinet containing pots, stones and coins
without labels or explanations. To a non-specialist, there is nothing here that cannot
be seen to better advantage in the official museum.
Hanlin village itself has hot springs, salt wells and a host of crumbling stupas to
occupy you.
arrIVaL aND DePartUre ShWeBo aND aroUND
By bus The bus station is to the south of Shwe Taza Paya, (K500) departing when full from a side street 100m
with regular departures to Mandalay and Monywa further east.
until mid-afternoon and a daily service to Pakokku Destinations Kyaukmyaung (daily; 1hr).
at 7.30am. By train Shwebo’s railway station is 1.5km north of the
Destinations Mandalay (hourly; 3hr); Monywa (hourly; market, just within the northeastern corner of the city
3hr); Pakokku (daily; 6hr). moat. The town is on the main line between Mandalay and
By tuk-tuk and pick-up To get to Kyaukmyaung, Myitkyina, with three “up” and three “down” trains daily.
you’ll need to take one of the regular tuk-tuks (K700), Destinations Mandalay (3 daily; 3hr); Myitkyina (3 daily;
which leave from just north of the market, or a pick-up 16–18hr); Naba (3 daily; 7–10hr).
8 GettING aroUND aND toUrS
By motorbike Motorbikes are usually available from Win the same thorough explanations as on organized tours.
Guesthouse, just south of the main market on Aung Zeya St Tours Friendly, English-speaking motorcycle taxi driver
(K10,000). Motorbike taxis can be found outside the bus Kyaw Soe (T09 974 604 545, Ekyawsoe040@gmail.com)
station, and may offer slightly cheaper rates for simple can organize various tours of Shwebo, Hanlin (K15,000)
transportation – but they won’t allow as much time or offer and Kyaukmyaung (K13,000).
aCCoMMoDatIoN
There are only two accommodation options in Shwebo, and only one is based near the town centre.
Pyi Shwe Theingha Hotel Shwe Taza Paya Rd Sann Tin Hotel Kyaukmyaung Rd T075 22128,
T075 22949, Epyishwetheingha@gmail.com. One of Esanntinhotel@gmail.com. This new hotel, about
Myanmar’s fancier bus station hotels, with the only elevator in 1.5km east of the moat, isn’t particularly characterful – but
Shwebo and a range of rooms all with private bathrooms and with individual water heaters in each room, it’s probably
a/c. The hot water is unreliable. Staff are charming and your best chance of a hot shower in Shwebo. For single
friendly, but some rather grim rooms face only an internal wall travellers it’s also the cheapest option, starting at K20,000.
– try to get one with an outward-facing window. K28,350 All rooms en suite, with a/c. K30,000
eatING
Café Santino Aung Zeya St T09 400 425 714. With two Breakfast served until 10am. Daily 5.30am–9.30pm.
cavernous teashops on Aung Zeya St, Café Santino is popular Ivory Café and Bakery Yan Gyi Aung St T09 774 458
all day long, offering everything from breakfast-time fried 008, Eivory.sbo@gmail.com. This newly opened coffee
rice and moun-di to late-night football matches, with plenty shop has a wide selection of cakes and pastries, and an
of coffee and tea in between. Daily 6am–8.30pm. espresso machine producing real coffee from K1000. Daily
Eden Culinary Garden Near Aung Zeya St T075 7am–9pm.
21651. With a dining room and some tables set around ★ Melody Music Garden Yan Gyi Aung St T075
a little courtyard, Eden serves Burmese and Chinese 22011. One of the few places in town that takes advantage
standards, with a few Western dishes to boot. Check the of the city moat, with a veranda that’s a great spot for
prices before you order – while it’s not an expensive sitting and enjoying the view with a glass of beer (K750) or
place overall (a meal for two costs from K4000), there a meal (dishes from K1500). Don’t forget your mosquito
are a few unwelcome surprises, like a K7000 omelette. repellent. Daily 9am–10pm.

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