Mandalay & Around - Myanmar (Burma) - page 449

Taungbyone Nat Pwe SPIRIT FESTIVAL
( Aug) This massive and camply chaotic festival is held about 12 miles north of Man-
dalay honouring two famous Bagan-era nat . Celebrations culminate on the five days
leading up to the full moon of Wagaung. A week later worshippers move on to Irinaku
(Yadanagu) south of Amarapura.
Thadingyut BUDDHIST & ELEPHANT FESTIVALS
( Oct) On the full moon of Thadingyut, Myanmar's lights-festival celebrates Buddha's
return from the celestial sphere. At the south base of Mandalay Hill, the big temple fest-
ival at Kyauktawgyi Paya ( Click here ) builds for two weeks beforehand. One day before
full moon, Kyaukse (25 miles south of Mandalay) has its famous two-man elephant
dance competition.
Sleeping
None of Mandalay's very cheapest local guesthouses take foreigners. Unless otherwise
stated, all room rates include breakfast. In smaller hotels air-con generally goes off dur-
ing power cuts as generators can't cope.
Royal Mandalay
Hotel Emperor HOTEL $$$
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( 02-68743; www.hotelemperormandalay.com ; 74th St, 26/27; r Oct-Mar $80-100, Apr-Sep
$50-80) Lashings of wood panelling, pretty foliage and the odd carving enliven this
super-friendly new family-style hotel. Rooms aren't big and some windows stare straight
at a wall, but beds are firm, the air-con works well, rooms have fridge, hair dryer, kettle,
toiletries etc, and there's decent wi-fi. A modern bistro next-door does cocktails and in-
ternational meals. Bicycle rental $5.
Peacock Lodge GUESTHOUSE $$$
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( 09 204 2059, 02-61429; www.peacocklodge.com ; 60th St, 25/26; r standard/deluxe $35/50;
) One of Myanmar's great homestay-style inns; the Peacock's main 1960s house is set
in a tree-shaded yard complete with fairy lights, parasol seating and an old horsecart.
Dated, if fair-sized, standard rooms overlook a lotus-filled canal but far better are the
contrastingly boutiquey new 'deluxe' rooms: choose the prized upper ones with balcony.