144

BAGAN & CENTRAL MYANMAR

YA N G O N–BAG A N HI G HWAY

oLucky Dragon HOTEL $$

(%24222; http://luckydragon.com; 772 Strand Rd;

r $30-40; paWs) Leaving all other town

centre hotels standing, this enclave of mod-

ern, bungalow-style, wood-fl oored rooms

across from the river is reasonably priced

and has pleasant, helpful staff. Another plus

is the small pool, long enough for a few cool-

ing laps after touring Pyay’s sights.

Smile Motel HOTEL $

(%22523, 25169; 10-11 Bogyoke Rd; r $18; a) The

long corridor leading to the simply fur-

nished rooms may have a shabby carpet and

remind you of The Shining, but it’s all pretty

clean and the staff are nice, if a bit surprised

at your existence.

Mingalar Garden Resort HOTEL $$

(%28662; Flying Tiger Garden, Aung Chan Tha

Quarter; s/d standard $30/36, superior $36/42;

ai) Near Payagyi Paya and closer to

Thayekhittaya than the Ayeyarwady River,

this quiet garden complex of spacious bun-

galows is set in the grounds of a former

cheroot manufacturer. It’s worth springing

a few extra dollars for the more modern

superior rooms, all of which overlook an

ornamental lake.

Myat Lodging House HOTEL $

(%25695; 222 Bazaar St; r $6-12; a) This small

back-street guesthouse has well-loved but

simple rooms (green carpet, writing desks)

a block from the Pyay ‘action’. The cheap-

est rooms have fan and shared bathroom

(which are kept clean); only the highest-

priced rooms come with a private bathroom.

Friendly English-speaking staff give out

maps of Pyay and Thayekhittaya.

Pyay Strand Hotel HOTEL $$

(%24874; Strand Rd; r standard/superior $25/35;

a) Off ers 32 simple rooms similar to Smile’s,

which are thus overpriced compared to

Lucky Dragon. Higher-priced rooms get hot

water and look out over the river.

 5 Eating & Drinking

The night market on Mya Zay Tann St, be-

tween the Aung San statue and the river, is

atmospheric and well worth browsing for its

cheap eats.

oGrandma Café KOREAN, INTERNATIONAL $$

(Mya Zay Tann Rd; dishes K1500; h8am-10pm)

Owner Banyar Aung learned to make Ko-

rean food while working at various restau-

rants in Kuala Lumpur, then returned home

and taught his wife. Together they run this

66

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Pyay

‚To Central

Market (150m)

‚

To Bus Station (1.5 mi);

Payagyi Paya (2 mi);

Mingalar Garden Resort (2.2 mi);

Thayekhittaya (5 mi)

‚

To Southern Star (800m);

Nawade Bridge (800m)

0500m

e#00.25miles

‚

Elevators