Myanmar (Burma) - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 546

By boat There is no public ferry to Hpa-an, but private
boats (4hr) run according to demand - often daily in
peak season - at around K70,000 for the whole boat
(up to ten passengers). Contact Breeze Guest House to
book a seat.
By bus There are two bus stations: Myeinigone on the
eastern side of the ridge that runs through the city, and
Zeigyo to the south of town; buses to Hpa-an also depart
from beside the football ground on the western side of
the ridge. For connections to Inle Lake, take the Mandalay
bus as far as Meiktila.
Destinations

YKKO Dawei Jetty W ykkomyanmar.com. Part of a chain
with numerous branches in Yangon, this was a hot opening
in a town short on good eating options. There's an
extensive Chinese menu but the specialities are kyay-oh
(variations on noodles and meatballs, some with sichet -
fried garlic in garlic oil). Free wi-fi. Daily 10am-10pm.

DIRECTORY
Internet Unity, Lower Main Rd close to junction with
Dawei Jetty Rd (daily 8.30am-9pm).
Money CB Bank, Strand Rd (currency exchange and ATM
Mon-Fri 11am-3pm).
Motorbike rental Breeze Guest House , Strand Rd
(K10,000/day); Kyaw pool club, one block north of Breeze
(K8000/day).

Dawei (daily; 10hr); Hpa-an (hourly; 2hr);
Kinpun (2 daily; 4hr); Mandalay (2 daily; 12hr); Myeik
(daily; 18hr); Nay Pyi Taw (daily; 10hr); Taungoo (2 daily;
7hr); Yangon (5 daily; 6hr 30min).
By shared taxi Vehicles depart for Myawaddy (6hr;
K12,000), on the Thai border, between 8-10am every
other day (as tra c can only run one way at a time along
the road). Arrange a seat through your accommodation.
By train The train station is close to the bus station in the
east of the city. O cials may be reluctant to sell you a
ticket to Dawei.
Destinations Dawei (daily; 14hr); Yangon (3 daily; 8hr).

7

HPA AN
he riverside town of Hpa-an
(pronounced “Pa-an”) is small and
welcoming enough to become familiar
quickly, and the limestone hills
surrounding it make for a very impressive
backdrop to trips taking in pretty villages
and caves full of Buddha statues. Many of
the sights listed here can be combined
into a day-trip or two, and the Soe
Brothers Guest House provides maps and
advice (as well as motorbike rental).

ACCOMMODATION
Aurora 277 Lower Main Rd, Mawlamyine T 057 227 85.
The staff at this guesthouse one street back from the river
aren't the most welcoming in town, but the rooms are a
cut above their rivals at this price - they're brighter, larger,
cleaner and have a little natural light. The chea pest rooms
have shared bathrooms with squat toilets. $12
Breeze Guest House 6 Strand Rd, Mawlamyine T 057
21450 or T 09 8701180, E breeze.guesthouse@gmail
.com. Still the unchallenged centre of Mawlamyine's
backpacker scene, despite the resemblance of the cheapest
rooms to prison cells. Even those who aren't staying drift in
to arrange day-trips or pick up a to wn map. They take Visa
and MasterCard for a charge of $3. $16
Family World Thanbyuzayat T 09 49820399. Hidden
away in a residential district a short drive from the war
cemetery, from which it's signposted, this concrete
complex is a bit scruffy but it has views of the surrounding
fields and the rooms are fine. Sta ff can hel p to arrange a
tour of the area for around K8000. K15,000

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Good sunrise views can be enjoyed at
serene Kan Thar Yar Lake , a twenty-minute
walk south down Ohn Taw St; at sunset,
the riverside Shweyinhmyaw Paya , a
pagoda in the northwest of town, is
particularly popular. Fabulous views of
the hanlwin River and its surrounding
fields and limestone hills can also be
enjoyed from the pagoda on Mount
Hpa-pu , reached by taking the ferry (daily
6am-6pm; K500 each way) across the
river from near Shweyinhmyaw Paya.
Once across, head into the village and
follow the sign for the mountain; the
path swings right towards the river before
curving back around. It's fifteen minutes
to the start of the steps up, then thirty
minutes to the top.

EATING
A series of barbecue stalls set up in the evening on Strand
Rd north of Dawei Jetty in Mawlamyine, selling affordable
sticks of chicken and various innards.
Bone Gyi Strand Rd, opposite the first jetty north of
Breeze Guest House . Considered by many locals to serve
the best Chinese food in town. The menu is in English, but
without prices; hot and sour fried squid costs K3500. Daily
8am-9pm.

Mount Zwegabin
In the past, a stay at the monastery on
top of Mount Zwegabin (725m) was one
of southeastern Myanmar's highlights.