MONYWA, Myanmar

	MONYWA, Myanmar
	Myanmar Feb 28, 98

Monywa, is 136km NW from Mandalay, on the E bank of the Chindwin River, streching N to S.
There are a few distinctive style temples, such as Thanboddhay Paya and Po Win Daung Cave temple

It is very hot in summer, especially April-May, 40 C.

Transport

Trains are running but bus is more convenient and cheaper.
B	Bus station: N of town, 2km from the center, by siker (25-50k)

From Mandalay	Many minibuses(200k) and buses(100k) from 89th+22 St until 13:00. 3.5hr
To Mandalay	Many minibuses(200k) buses(100k)3.5hr The last bus is at 15:30.

Local Transport

Town is small enough for walking or sikers.

Pickups: On the main road running N to S, many pickups are running which you can take to the bus station or Thanboddhay Paya. Price?.

Boat: Frequent river crossings (10k), but check the time of the last boat to come back.

Shopping

Market On the main road, 1km N from bus station.

Entertainment

There are a few cinemas and video theaters

Accommodation

No decent accommodation in this town.

	h1	Central GH: Bogyoke Aung San Rd.T21548 ab f $4/p, a/c $8/p. mosquito net, large rooms, spacious lounge.
	h2	Shwe Taung Tarn: No.70 Yonegyi Quarter, Turn W from the statue of man on a horse on Bogyoke Aung San Rd. T21478 ab a/c $5/p bf Bath tub. a/c filter is not clean, so the air smells bad.
	h3	Great Hotel: Bogyoke Aung San Rd.T22431 ab $6/p bf Next to bus station. Large rooms
	h4	Monywa Hotel: Bogyoke Aung San Rd.T21581 Bungalow style hotel. ab s $30 d $36 HW bf TV Fr

Food

Currently Info is limited.

	r1	Ice cream parlor: S from Hotel Shuw Taung Tarn full of locals.
	r2	Chinese restaurants: Bogyoke Aung San Rd., E side, just S from market. Large portions, reasonable taste. No English signs but they have English menus.

Trasnport

BUS
B	Bus station: 2km N of town By siker to town center or pickup 30-50k

From Mandalay: From minibus terminal, 89+22 St
Many from early morning till 13:00 Bus(100k),minibus(200k)3.5hr

To Mandaley: Many buses(100k)/minibuses(200k) from bus station.3.5hr last transport is minibus at 15:30(200k) You need to make reservations so if you come here for a day trip, book the return journey before going off to sightsee.

Sights

Thanboddhay Temple: 20km on the road to Mandalay
Entrance Free. Very unique style temple built around 1300. Within are more than 8000 small buddha images and the building exterior is covered with many small pagodas, with a large, main Buddha in the center. Some say it is similar in style to that of Borobodur in Indonedisa. The history of the temple is obscure.

From Monywa	by pickup 15 min. to the junction. then horse carriage (25k/p)or walk 15min.
From Mandalay	Bus/minibus from the terminal, 89 St+22St, many from morning to 13:00 bus(100k),minibus(200k) 3.5hr to the junction of the road to Thanboddhay Paya
To Mandalay	The last transport back to Mandalay is 15:30 From the junction around 15:45 200k. You should make reservation at Monywa bus station, mentioning that you will take it from the junction.

S2	Pho-Win Hill & Shwe Ba Hill: E side of Chindwinn River By ferry(10k) to the W side of the river, Nyaungbingyi, then by pickup 25km Three temples are built over the volcanic rock which has also been carved to form a cave temple. Shwebataung, Panga-taung & Nwatho-taung. Houses a buddha covered with gold.