Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
The 62-mile (100km) unpaved logging road from Oktwin (9 miles/15km south of Taun-
goo) to Paukkhaung provides a shortcut to Pyay. Foreigners are not allowed to travel
along this road unless on a tour; Dr Chan Aye can make this trip with you, including a
one- or two-night stop in a village or jungle camp along the way (from $375 per person
for two people, including accommodation, meals and transport). Road travel east across
the Sittoung River, towards Loikaw, is also restricted.
BUS
Most buses leaving Taungoo originated elsewhere. Generally stops are at private bus
company offices scattered along the old Yangon-Mandalay Highway, just south of the
turn-off to the 'centre'. It's easiest to have your hotel arrange a seat.
Nay Pyi Taw
(K2500-K3000, three hours, frequent)
Mandalay
(K7500-K9000, nine hours, early morning or early evening) Air-con bus.
Yangon
(K4300-K5000, six hours, frequent) Buses with and without air-con.
TRAIN
The Taungoo
train station
( 054-23308)
has a military presence, following some Kar-
en 'attacks' on trains passing in the night. Destinations include Mandalay (ordinary/up-
per $7/17, nine hours, departures 3.18am, 1.04pm, 2.43pm, 7.51pm, 9.35pm and
12.04am), Nay Pyi Taw ($2/6, three hours, departures 1.04pm, 7.51pm, 9.35pm and
12.04am), Thazi ($4/11, five hours, departures 1.04pm, 9.35pm and 12.04am) and Yan-
gon ($5/13, seven hours, departures 2.17am, 3.27am, 5.15am, 10:56am, 10.51pm and
11.57pm).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Nay Pyi Taw
067 / POPULATION C925,000
In 2005, following the tradition of Burma's ancient kings, the military relocated Myan-
mar's capital to a more strategically central location, about 240 miles north of Yangon.
At untold expense (some reports have it at more than $4 billion), Nay Pyi Taw was built
on scrub ground amid rice paddies, villages and small towns such as Pyinmana on the old
Yangon-Mandalay Highway. Most government ministries and their staff have been relo-
cated here, but with a couple of exceptions the diplomatic community have dug in their
heels in Yangon.
