Page 352 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

350 NortherN MyaNMar Myitkyina and the far north
KACHIN CUISINE
kachin cooking places a greater emphasis on fresh herbs and spices than Bamar cuisine,
generally to delicious effect. dishes to try include chekachin (chicken steamed with herbs in a
banana leaf), amedha thouq (a spicy salad made with pounded dried beef) and pretty much
anything on a skewer – barbecue dishes being a particular highlight.

GettING aroUND aND toUrS
By motorbike taxi A motorbike taxi around town will cost Tours The staff at the YMCA can arrange day-trips
K500–1000, while a trip up to the area around Manau Park by motorbike to the sights around Myitkyina with
is K2000 and the journey to the airport is K5000. The drivers one of their English-speaking staff for around K25,000/
wait at designated spots on the streets, marked “Taxi”. day – pretty reasonable, considering the cost of
By cycle rickshaw A cycle rickshaw around downtown renting a motorbike through them alone. Myanmar
Myitkyina will cost K1000. Snowland Travels & Tours – based in an upstairs office
By bike and motorbike The YMCA (see below) rents at 79 Shansu North – can also arrange tours further
out bicycles for K3000/day and motorbikes for a steep afield into Kachin State (T074 1618, Eyawsepaww
K20,000/day. @gmail.com).
aCCoMMoDatIoN
Hotel Madira 510 Pyi Taung Su Rd T074 29455, hotel has wonderfully comfortable rooms set in bungalows
Whotelmadira.com. Although its location (1.5km around nicely landscaped gardens and a tiny infinity pool
northwest of the railway station towards the airport) is a overlooking the river. $120
8 little inconvenient, the clean, bright rooms here are a cut ★ United 38 Thitsa St T074 22085, Ehotelunited
myitkyina@gmail.com. The friendly staff here offer
above its town-centre competition, with international
channels on the TV. $80 pleasant rooms ranging from $30–45, some of which
Hotel Nan Thida Zaw Jun Rd T074 22362. Overlooking have balconies facing the street. Those on one side of the
the river, this old-school hotel is set in its own grounds in hotel look directly into the neighbouring building a few
a slightly awkward location at the northern end of Zaw metres away, so do check before you pay up. All rooms
Jun Rd, just south of Hsu Taung Pye. Avoid the rather have a/c and bathrooms with hot water. A redecoration
dark bungalows, and opt instead for one of the spacious, was planned at the time of research, which may lead to
colourful $60 rooms in the main building, which come price increases. $30
with large beds, high ceilings, big bathrooms and river YMCA Ayer St T074 23010, Eshkawnmai2012
views. $40 @gmail.com. A favourite with the few backpackers who
New Light 70 Zaygyi St T074 23576, Esnghskng make it to Myitkyina, the YMCA (women welcome) has
958@gmail.com. The cheapest of the basic white-tiled accommodation ranging from fan-cooled rooms with
rooms here are small and neat with fans and shared shared cold-water bathrooms, to slightly nicer en-suite
bathrooms, while their pricier (K32,000–42,000) rooms with hot water ($24) – some with a/c ($28). If you’re
counterparts have a/c and en suites – most also have on your own, prices are around $10 less. The saving grace
small balconies. Single travellers pay K10,000 less per here are the Kachin staff, who are friendly and
room. Not to be confused with the New Light Guesthouse knowledgeable about everything from local restaurants to
near the YMCA. K27,000 national politics. They also produce a rather small-scale
Palm Springs Resort 7/8 Sitarpu Quarter photocopied map of Myitkyina and its outskirts. No
T074 22828. Around 4km north of town, this luxurious breakfast. $20
eatING
Each evening a brightly lit night market sets up on Aung San Rd, south of Zaygyi St. The varied food stalls are concentrated
at the southern end of the market area, and at the northern end of town around Manau Park the backstreets are full of
Kachin restaurants – usually indicated by the word luseng on their sign in Latin letters.
Fuji Cold Drink Aung San Rd. This street-side store ★ Italian N’Dream Myo That T09 793 608 656.
whisks up delicious seasonal fruit juices and cold drinks Around the corner from the YMCA, this new coffee and ice-
without tooth-rotting amounts of sugar. Locals come here cream bar has friendly staff, comfortable chairs and even a
for falooda, but their lassis are also among the best in few English books to read. The cake is a bargain at only
town. Daily 9am–5pm. K500. Real coffee from K1500. Daily 7.30am–9pm.

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