Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Traffic is pretty light on all roads. Early-morning or late-afternoon rides along the
sealed Bagan-Nyaung U Rd are particularly rewarding. It's worth planning ahead a little,
as the bulk of the temples in the Central Plain have little shade and nowhere to get lunch.
The most convenient temple dining options are in and around Old Bagan.
HORSE CART
A popular but uncomfortable and slow way of seeing the ruins is from the shaded, pad-
ded bed of a horse cart. Drivers speak some English (at least), know where to find the
'keyholders' to locked sites and can point out temples with few or no tourists around.
Some might stop by a shop in the hope of securing a commission; it's OK to say 'no
thanks'. A cart works best for two passengers, but it's possible to go with three or (for a
family with younger children) four.
From Nyaung U or Old Bagan, a day with a horse cart and driver costs about K15,000
to K20,000; a half-day is about K10,000. Prices are sometimes a little higher out of Old
Bagan due to the proliferation of high-end hotels.
PICK-UP TRUCKS
A pick-up (K500; hourly 7am to 3pm) runs from outside the Nyaung U market, ending
near the junction in New Bagan and passing Wetkyi-in, Old Bagan and Myinkaba on the
way. This could be used to jump from one place to the next, then walk around the
temples, particularly on the North Plain or around Old Bagan.
TAXI
Hiring a shared taxi for the day in Nyaung U costs about $35 and drivers are usually
quite knowledgeable about which temples to visit. Old Bagan hotels will charge anything
up to $75 to hire an unshared taxi. Chartered taxis are also convenient ways of making
day trips to Mt Popa and Salay. Taxis between Nyaung U and New Bagan cost about
K7000, or K15,000 return.
TRISHAW
There's little trishaw activity outside Nyaung U, where you can get one at the jetty or bus
station; the pedal into town is around K2000.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Nyaung U
061
