THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 276

By boat Twice-weekly IWT government ferries call at Pyay on their way up- and downriver
between Yangon,Bagan andMandalay,offering oneofMyanmar'sslowest riverine journeys
(taking two days to Yangon, three to Bagan, and four to Mandalay). Current uncertainty over
all IWT services means the future of the ferry is uncertain, while even if it's running they
may not be prepared to sell tickets to foreigners. Check the latest situation at your hotel.
GETTING AROUND
Central Pyay is compact enough to cover easily on foot, although you'll need transport to
get to and from the bus and railway stations. The Myat Guesthouse has bicycles to rent for
K2000/day - handy for getting out to Thayekhittaya, although you're not allowed to cycle
around the site itself.
ACCOMMODATION
Lucky Dragon Hotel 772 Strand Rd 053 24222, luckydragonhotel.com . Unexpec-
tedly upmarket little mini-resort in the heart of Pyay, with accommodation in attractive white
chaletsspreadoutdownalongthingarden,plusasmallishpool.Roomsaresurprisinglys tyl-
ish, with parquet floors, cool white decor and smart, modern bathrooms. Excellent value. $45
Myat Guesthouse Market St 053 25695. Long-running budget stalwart. “Rooms” down-
stairsarelittlebetterthansqualidcubicles(withsharedbathandwafer-thinmattresses);those
upstairs - with ($18) or without ($32) bathroom - are simple but far nicer, if you don't mind
the peeling paint, old-fashioned a/c units and bits of lino and wallpaper held together with
masking tape - they come in various shapes, sizes and prices, so have a look at a few before
deciding. There's also wi-fi, and the madly exuberant Chinese owner is a delight. $12
Pyay Strand Hotel 6 Strand Rd 053 25846. Pleasantly old-fashioned hotel, with large,
bright, high-ceilinged rooms kept in decent nick, although some of the mattresses appear to
be made of concrete and rates are on the hi gh s ide, especially given the lack of wi-fi and hot
water - and there are no single rates either. $30
Smile Motel 10-11 Bogyoke Rd 053 25142, [e-mail] . Slightly
battered-looking place on the main road. Rooms are old-fashioned and pretty worn, but spa-
cious enough and more or le ss c lean. Hot water (with some seriously surreal plumbing) is
included, but there's no wi-fi. $24
EATING AND DRINKING
Pyay has an above-average range of eating options compared to most places in Myanmar of
a similar size, and the centre tends to stay lively until relatively late - particularly the busy
stringofrestaurantsalongtheYangonroadsouthoftheAungSanstatue.There'salsoasmall
but excellent nightmarket spreading along Old Post Office Rd west of the statue with stalls
dishing up everything from freshly grilled meat skewers to exotic fruits.