Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Start near the
park
on Baho Rd, formerly known as Dalhousie St. Head north,
turning east on
Shwe Taung St
(look for the corner with the motorcycle taxi
drivers), an atmospheric strip of brightly coloured, low-slung houses, home to the
descendants of Indian civil servants. Cross Upper Main Rd to
St Patrick's
Cathedral
founded by the De La Salle brothers in 1829. At the back of the church
compound is an overgrown graveyard with headstones, many with English names,
some dating back to the mid-19th century.
Head north on Upper Main Rd. If you haven't already been, turn east on Kyaik
Than Lan Phayar St and ascend the covered stairway to
Kyaikthanlan Paya
(
Click here
) - most likely the inspiration for Kipling's 'Mandalay'. From here you'll
also have a great view of Mawlamyine's prison, built in 1908 and possibly the set-
ting for George Orwell's lesser-known 1931 short story A Hanging.
Head west on Kyaik Than Lan Phayar St, veering south into any of the atmo-
spheric side streets and taking in the tiny mosques and colonial-era homes in this,
the predominately Muslim neighbourhood of
Shwe Taung Quarter
. Emerge on
Lower Main Rd
, Mawlamyine's main commercial strip, home to many old
multistorey shophouses. Continue north until you reach
Surtee Sunni Jamae
Masjid
, a mosque built in 1846 to serve the Muslim officers and civil servants of
British Burma.
Continue north, turning west on Phat Tan St. You're now on the riverside
Strand Rd
, where, heading south, you'll pass the former grand mansions, shipping
company offices and theatres that indicate Mawlamyine's former role as a wealthy
trading port.
Sleeping
Most of Mawlamyine's accommodation is a K2000 motorcycle taxi ride from the train
station or Mye Ni Gone bus station.
Cinderella Hotel
HOTEL $
( 057-24411;
www.cinderellahotel.com
;
21 Baho Rd; r incl breakfast $25-65; )
Where
else could you afford to stay in the nicest place in town? This shockingly purple structure
has numerous and capable staff who look after huge rooms with heaps of amenities:
24-hour electricity, TV, air-con, wi-fi and huge fridges positively stuffed with junk food.
Sandalwood Hotel
HOTEL $
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