Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A sculpture of Dharani, the earth goddess, standing in the corner of one of the com-
pound's main
thein
is a much-venerated object of worship among the people of Dawei,
who rub her breasts, thighs and shoulders for good luck.
Shwethalyaung Daw Mu & Shinmokhti Paya
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
( daylight hours)
Completed in 1931 and measuring 74m long and 21m high, Sh-
wethalyaung Daw Mu is the largest reclining buddha in the country. A couple of miles up
the road is Shinmokhti Paya, dating back to 1438 and one of four shrines in the country
housing a Sinhalese Buddha image supposedly made with a composite of cement and
pieces of the original bodhi tree. Shinmokhti Paya is located about 6 miles from Dawei; a
round trip
thoun bein
stopping off at both temples should run around K7000.
Festivals & Events
During the annual
Thingyan
festival in April, Dawei's male residents don huge, 13-foot
(4m) bamboo-frame effigies and dance down the streets to the beat of the kalakodaun, an
Indian long drum. The origin of this custom, peculiar to Dawei, seems to be a mystery
but it's most likely linked to a similar custom brought by Indian immigrants many dec-
ades ago.
Sleeping
Dawei has a good selection of recommendable budget/midrange accommodation, and by
(Ye Yeik Thar St)
should be fin-
ished.
Garden Hotel
HOTEL $
MAP
( 059-22116; 88 Ye Rd; r $10-40; )
An attractive, spacious 1940s-era building encom-
passing both fan-cooled cheapies and several larger, well-equipped air-con rooms. All are
spotless and looked over by a team of competent, helpful staff.
Diamond Crown Hotel
HOTEL $
MAP
( 059-22517; 651 Ye Rd; r incl breakfast $30-40; )
This place combines rather tight and
somewhat worn rooms in the original wing and larger more modern rooms in a brand-
new, multistorey addition.
