Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The most intriguing sight in town is the
CulturalMuseum
out to the northeast of the centre.
Anoddmishmash ofteak ruins,brick add-onsandBuddhist flourishes, supposedly modelled
on the palaces of Amarapura and Mandalay, it has passed through several different incarna-
tions since its completion in 1923. The main hall here was originally built as the palace of
Sao Shwe Thaik
, the last
saopha
(sky lord) of Nyaungshwe; an ethnic Shan himself, he be-
camethefirstpresidentofanewlyindependentBurmain1948.TheShan,ofcourse,wenton
to become marginalized under the subsequent military junta, and after a time as the Museum
ofShanChiefsthebuildingwastransformedintoaBuddhaMuseum,itsShanidentityerased.
The times are a-changing, however, and a Shan flag now flutters happily outside; old Shan
accoutrements such as the royal throne and furniture have been put back on display in the
creaky interior, together with elaborate, sequinned royal costumes and some evocative pho-
tographs of the latter Shan rulers. All this said, the place was a work in progress at the time
ofwriting,withmanyemptyhalls-hopefullysettobefilledwithsomethingbothinteresting
and appropriate.
Nantha
1km south of town
It's well worth the short walk south to the small village of
Nantha
, a charming place that
provides an Inle Lake vibe without the need to leave dry land - stilt-housing, friendly locals
and a rural atmosphere whose tranquil air is broken only by the regular put-putting of boat
engines. Look hard enough and you'll find a tiny teahouse and small shop; far easier to spot
is the huge
Buddha statue
sitting at the village's north end.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: NYAUNGSHWE
By plane
Heho airport is 30km northwest of Nyaungshwe. Taxis will ask for K25,000 from
the airport, and given the fact that most landing at Heho are heading that way, it's pretty
easy to share the fare; hotels and agencies will be able to lump together those heading back
to the airport, while even by yourself the fare should be much cheaper that way (as low as
K12,000). Things are far trickier by public transport: from the airport, walk 2km south to the
main road, find something heading east towards Taunggyi, get off at Shwenyaung, then hop
on a cab (K2000 per seat) or pick-up (K1000) the rest of the way.
Destinations (Heho)
Kengtung (1 daily; 55min); Lashio (2 weekly; 50min); Mandalay (7
daily; 35min, though sometimes routed via Nyaung U); Nyaung U (for Bagan; 40min);
Tachileik (1-2 daily; 50min, though sometimes routed via Lashio); Yangon (4-5 daily; 1hr
15min).
By bus
There are now a few direct buses to Nyaungshwe from other destinations in Myan-
mar, avoiding the need to change in Shwenyaung, or wait there on the way out of Inle for a
service starting in Taunggyi (foreigners not being allowed to take overland transport to areas
east of that city). Leaving Nyaungshwe, some tickets will also include pick-up at your hotel;
