THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 441

Kyaukme is flanked to the east and west by pagoda-topped hills, both of which can be
reached via covered staircases from the town. In the east, SunrisePagoda , also known as Le
Kaun Pagoda, holds a few pretty shrines and a small monastery,while SunsetPagoda onthe
west side of town has great open views.
HIKING AROUND KYAUKME
AtripintothehillsaroundKyaukmeoftenstartswithamotorbikeridealongroughcountry
lanes to a village or trailhead, with this element of the trip raising the price compared to
other destinations. Several excellent trekking guides work out of Kyaukme, starting at
K25,000perpersonperdayforagroupoftwo,droppingtoaroundK10,000perpersonfor
a group of six; prices vary little from one to the next.
NaingNaing ( 09256422077, [e-mail] ),anethnicPalaung,isthe
most experienced and adventurous of the local guides, taking groups deep into the hills.
Kyaw Hlaing ( 09 4037 06070, shanprinces.webs.com ), a young Shan guy who goes
by the English name Joy, leads motorbike excursions and speaks excellent English. Both
have useful maps of the area and sheaves of good testimonials.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: KYAUKME
Bybus Busestomostdestinationsleavefromthehighwaybusstationonthenorthsideofthe
railway line 600m west of the station. Hsipaw-bound buses leave from the southwest corner
of the main market each morning at 7am, and a few buses to Lashio and Muse leave from
here as well. A Yone Oo can help book tickets, as can the friendly Kyaw Swar - also known
as Mr Ticket ( 09 4037 19692) - who works at the highway bus station.
Destinations Hsipaw (6 daily; 1hr); Kalaw (2 daily; 12hr); Lashio (3 daily; 3hr); Mandalay
(daily; 5hr); Muse (daily; 8hr); Pyin Oo Lwin (6 daily; 3hr); Yangon (daily; 13hr).
By train Kyaukme's railway station is slightly northwest of the town centre, about a 10min
walk from A Yone Oo . There's a decent teahouse in the station, making it a popular place to
gulp down lunch when heading in either direction.
Destinations Hsipaw (daily; 1hr 30min); Lashio (daily; 7hr); Mandalay (daily; 11hr); Pyin
Oo Lwin (daily; 5hr).
By motorbike taxi The trip to Hsipaw will set you back K10,000. A short trip around town
costs the usual K500.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
At the time of writing there was a single hotel option for foreigners in Kyaukme, A Yone Oo ,
owned by a local councillor with a monopoly on the town's tourist facilities. Several other
guesthouse owners were optimistic that they would be able to obtain the permits needed to