Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURS
U Sein Win
09 2563 50518.
A fascinating septuagenarian polymath, U Sein Win speaks
excellent English and can guide you around Bhamo's sights for K10,000/day. His house is
just north of the clocktower and is signed in English. With a little notice he can arrange boat
trips to an elephant camp (dry season only) or to Thein Pa Hill - there's a chance of seeing
dolphins on the latter (Nov-Feb only).
ACCOMMODATION
Friendship Hotel
Balldi Rd 074 50095.
The cheapest rooms may be getting a little
shabby,butthe
Friendship
stilloffersgreatserviceandoneofnorthernBurma'sfinestbreak-
fast buffets. The budget rooms have a/c and shared bathrooms, while the more expensive
ones ($50-60) are in better repair with smarter linen and decoration. Light sleepers beware -
there's a karaoke loun
ge d
ownstairs. Achingly slow wi-fi is included, and the hotel produces
a useful map of town.
$20
GrandHotel
Post Office Rd 074 50317.
Less luxurious than its name would have you be-
lieve, the
Grand
has decent doubles with a/c, wi-fi and slightly musty bathrooms - pay an
extra $10 and you'll qualify for one of
thei
r large, over-furnished suites. Rooms are the same
price for double and single occupancy.
$25
Hotel Paradise
36 Shwe Kyaung Kone 074 50136,
hotelparadiseban-
maw@gmail.com
.
The newest hotel in town has a range of tidy new rooms in a block at the
southern end of town, though they do smell of m
oth
balls. The spacious $15 singles with a/c
and en-suite bathrooms are a good-value option.
$30
EATING AND DRINKING
After dark, Bhamo's centre of gravity shifts from the waterfront to the
beer stations
on Sin-
phyu Road, but across town most places close down by 9.30pm.
Arthan
Strand Rd.
This airy teahouse is the only place in Bhamo with views of the riverside
overthemainjetty.Thekitchenservesuptheusualteahousemenu;tastynoodles,friedthings
and endless cups of tea and coffee.
Daily 6am-7pm.
Café Paradise
Next to Hotel Paradise, Shwe Kyaung Kone 074 50136.
With an English
menu and a range of Western food - from French fries (K2000) to burgers, decent coffee
(from K1500) and cocktails - this cheesily decorated, popular little place might hit the spot
if you've been living off fried rice for a few weeks.
Daily 7am-9.30pm.
SeinSein
StrandRd 07450031.
WithMyanmarBeerontap(K600)andanextensivemenu
of stir-fried dishes (from K2500), this is considered one of the best Chinese restaurants in
town, even if the chef shows a rather Burmese enthusiasm for cooking oil. Despite its prom-
ising location, there is no view of the river from the dining room.
Daily 9am-9pm.
