THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 327

Bytrain The railway station is just east of the centre, though there's only one slow daily ser-
vice from Mandalay (5hr).
By boat IWT ferries run up the Chindwin River as far as Kalewa, with occasional ferries all
thewayuptoKhamtiinKachinState-anadventurousjourneywithminimalfacilities.Boats
dock on the river at the jetty a short walk southwest of the centre.
Destinations Kalewa (2 weekly; at least 2 days); Khamti (monthly; at least a week).
Services The ATM at the AGD Bank accepts foreign cards and there's a money exchange
counter at the KBZ Bank.
TOURS
A half-day trip combining Thanboddhay Pagoda and Maha Bodhi Tataung by motorbike
taxi costsaroundK8000.Alternatively,yourhotelmaybeabletoarrangea car -the Win Un-
ity hotel can arrange these and other local trips including taxis to Pho Win Taung and Maha
Bodhi Tataung/Thanboddhay for around $25-30 each, although you might be able to find a
cheaper deal elsewhere.
ACCOMMODATION
Monywa Hotel Bogyoke Aung San Rd 071 21581, [e-mail] . De-
cent mid-range option, and better value than the nearby Win Unity . Standard rooms, in some
rather grubby-looking chalets, are definitely past their best; the large and bright (if rather
bare) superior rooms, in a separate moder in bl ock, are much nicer and cost just $5 extra. All
rooms come with a/c, hot water and wi-fi. $40
Shwe Taung Tarn Station Rd 071 21478. Centrally located cheapie on a quiet side road,
with basic but bearable rooms in the main building, plus so-called “bungalows” (although
they'reactuallyjustbog-standardrooms)for$5extrainatwo-storeyblockbehind-fraction-
ally nicer if you can ignore the grimy ext erior and faint smell of sewage outside. All rooms
come with a/c and attached bathroom. $20
Win Unity Resort Hotel Bogyoke Aung San Rd 071 22438, inunityhotel.com . Mony-
wa's top option - pleasant enough, but pricey for what you get, with functional and dated
bungalows(moreexpensiveoneshaveviewsoftheadjacentlake)spreadarounddullgrounds
and a smallish pool . There's also a small spa offering inexpensive traditional massages (from
$15) plus wi-fi. $75
EATING
AungPan JustoffStationRd. Popularlocalcafédishinguppassablecurries(aroundK2000)
servedwithanabove-averagespreadofsidedishesandaccompaniments,althoughthere'sno
English menu so you'll have to point. Daily 10am-9pm.
Pleasant Island Bogyoke Aung San Rd 071 21324. Directly opposite the Win Unity Re-
sort , this attractively rustic garden restaurant is set on its own tiny island, reached via a