Myanmar (Burma) - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 557

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By pick-up A pick-up to Mount Popa (2hr 30min; K6000
return) leaves Nyaung U bus station at 8am, returning at
1pm. If there are too few passengers for Mount Popa, the
pick-up will go only as far as Kyaukpadaung (1hr 30min),
where you'll need to change for the final 1hr journey to
Mount Popa.
By taxi Most people visit by taxi from Bagan arranged
through their accommodation or a travel agent, either a
private vehicle (K35,000-45,000) or a shared taxi (K10,000
per person). The latter can also be arranged at Memory
shared taxi service (Main Rd, Nyaung U; T 09 2043579,
E [e-mail]).

Groceries Yadanar Mart, Khayae St, New Bagan (daily
7am-9pm).
Lacquerware Lacquerware production has a long
history here and there are many workshops and show-
rooms, particularly in Myinkaba. Golden Cuckoo, Myinkaba
(daily 7.30am-10pm; T 061 65156 or T 09 5142421);
Tun Handicrafts, 6/1 Khanlaung Quarter, New Bagan (daily
8am-9pm; T 061 65063 or T 09 2042295).
Parasols Pathein parasols (K5000-K11,000) from Shwe
Sar, Thiripitsaya 4 St, Nyaung U (daily 8am-11pm).
Photographs Erawati Bhandagara, Thiripitsaya 4 St
(daily 8am-10pm), sells good photos of Bagan and
beyond, mostly for around $25-45.

DIRECTORY
Banks AGD Bank money change kiosk, Thiripitsaya 4 St
(Mon-Fri 9.30am-3pm); MAB Bank with money change
and ATM, Anawrahta Rd (Mon-Fri 10.30am-2pm); CB
Bank, Anawrahta Rd (Mon-Fri 9.30am-3pm).
Internet Shwe Pyi Nann complex, junction of Thiripitsaya
4 St and Main Rd, Nyaung U (daily 9am-10pm); 7 Eleven,
Main Rd, Nyaung U (daily 7am-11pm); Perfect, Pyi Sone
restaurant, Main Rd, Wet Kyi Inn (daily 7am-9.30pm);
Dream Internet Access, 3rd St, New Bagan.
Massage and spa Daw Aye Win, Thiripitsaya 4 St,
Nyaung U (daily 8am-10pm; K7000/hr).
Pharmacy Thayaphu, Main Rd, Nyaung U (daily
7am-10pm).
Post o ce Anawrahta Rd, Nyaung U (Mon-Fri 9am-
5pm, Sat 9am-noon).
Swimming pool There are pools open to the public
at Thante Hotel , Nyaung U ($6), and Thande Hotel , Old
Bagan ($5).

TAUNGOO
TAUNGOO was the centre of a sizeable
sixteenth-century empire that defeated
Siam and brought the Shan lands under
its control. Its king, Bayinnaung, has been
much loved by the military junta and the
current government. Today the town is a
pleasant place to spend a day on the
journey between Yangon and Mandalay.

7

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
he forests around Taungoo are key
logging areas and the town's central
market (daily 8am-4pm) is the only one
in the country selling off-the-shelf items
used by elephant handlers.
he grandest pagoda in town is
Shwesandaw Paya , just west of the
market, which dates back to 1597.
Further west still beyond Kandawgyi
Lake, whose shores are a popular leisure
spot, is Kaungmudaw Paya - a much
smaller pagoda with pleasant views over
the surrounding fields.

MOUNT POPA
he most popular side-trip from Bagan,
MOUNT POPA volcano rises 1518m above
sea level and is considered to be the
home of the 37 nats (animist spirits; see
p.43). Although a handful of pilgrims do
ascend the main peak, most people
instead visit a temple on top of a
volcanic plug known as Taungkalat
(737m) on the southwestern flank. here
are almost eight hundred steps to climb,
and the tiring walk is not helped by the
many monkeys.
Views from the top are good, but
opinions are divided on whether it's a
worthwhile half-day visit. It helps to
arrange a guide from Bagan (around $30)
who will be able to explain the
mountain's religious significance.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Taungoo is located just off the old National Highway 1 that
runs between Yangon and Mandalay, and only 10km east
of the newer (and faster) Yangon-Mandalay Expressway.
The town centre is surrounded by a moat and the remains
of the old city walls.
By bus Buses stop at ticket o ces either on National
Highway 1 or on the Expressway. A motorbike taxi to
Myanmar Beauty II-IV should cost K1500 from the former,
K4000 from the latter.
Destinations Bagan (daily; 5hr 30min); Kalaw (daily;
7hr); Mandalay (2 daily; 7hr); Nay Pyi Taw (5 daily; 2hr);
Shwenyaung for Inle Lake (daily; 9hr); Yangon (6 daily; 4hr).
By train The train station is on the edge of town, around