THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 210

Destinations Hpa-An(6daily;6hr);Kinpun(forKyaiktiyo,hourly;3hr);Mandalay(4daily;
10-12hr); Mawlamyine (5 daily; 5hr 30min); Pyin Oo Lwin (daily; 10hr 30min); Taunggyi
(for Inle Lake, daily; 12hr); Taungoo (2 daily; 4hr); Yangon (6 daily; 1hr 30min-2hr).
By train Bago's railway station is just west of the town centre, on the north side of the main
road. For Kyaiktiyo, take a Mawlamyine-bound train and get off at Kyaikhto. For Inle Lake,
change at Thazi.
Destinations Dawei (daily; 22hr 30min); Kyaikhto (3 daily; 3hr); Mandalay (3 daily; 14hr);
Mawlamyine (3 daily; 7-8hr); Naypyitaw (5 daily; 7-8hr); Taungoo (3 daily; 4hr 30min);
Thaton (3 daily; 5hr); Thazi (3 daily; 10-11hr); Yangon (8 daily; 2hr); Ye (daily; 14hr).
GETTING AROUND
By motorbike taxi A short journey around town ought to cost no more than K500, and full-
day tours can be arranged for a reasonable K3000 through the budget hotels, although most
drivers do not speak English. Former Inle trekking guide Win Naing, who speaks good Eng-
lish and can be contacted through the Myananda hotel, charges K7000 for a guided one-day
motorbike tour.
Bybicycle Bikesareavailabletorentfromthe San Francisco and Emperor hotelsforK2000/
day.
ACCOMMODATION
Bago Star 11-21 Kyaik Pun Rd 4km out of town 052 30066, bagostar-
hotel.googlepages.com . Ownedbyafriendlylocalfamily,thishotelhasthirtywood-panelled
rooms arranged in rows of concrete bungalows. It has a decent-sized pool, a restaurant that
serv es simple meals, and is located down the quiet street that leads to Kyaik Pun. Free wi-fi.
$43
Emperor 8 Main Rd 09 4282 02757, [e-mail] . One of the nicer
budget options in town: the small rooms are clean and colourful and all come with a/c, hot
water and wi-fi. Another bonusis that youcan check out at any time -h andy if you're onthe
late bus to Mandalay. Single rooms are $10; breakfast not included. $20
Han Thar Gardens 34 Bullein Tar Zone Village, 12km south of Bago on the Yan-
gon-Mandalay Rd 09 4281 77217, [e-mail] . Several classes above
anythingelseinBago,thisplacehasairyandbeautifuldeluxeroomsintheeco-friendlymain
building, with vast bathrooms and plenty of local touches. The cheaper superior rooms are
lessexciting,butstillattractiveandspacious,andthereisasmallpoolandsundeck.Theonly
downsideistheout-of-townlocation,butwithaprett yon- sitecaféservingexcellentBurmese
food, you may not need to leave anyway. Free wi-fi. $125
Mariner 330 Pagoda Rd 052 201034, [e-mail] . Close to Sh-
wemawdaw, this is one of the few foreigner-friendly hotels in the eastern part of town, with