211

MANDALAY

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MANDALAY & AROUND

SLEEPING

MANDALAY & AROUND

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0300m
e#00.2miles
Cycling Tour
We s t M a n d a l ay
If central Mandalay’s fumes and traffi c
are getting you down, jump on a bike and
pedal out into the web of back lanes to the
west. Random encounters are likely to be
a highlight, but there’s plenty of interest at
every turn. This suggestion is just one of
many possibilities.
Start at the west exit of 1 Eindawya
Paya, descend shady 89th St one block, then
veer right just before a 2 crocodile bridge.
The bridge represents Ngamoe Yeik, the faith-
ful servant of tragic Burmese-chronicle hero
Min Nandar, who made his last journey in the
friendly crocodile’s jaws.
Take the east-west narrow lane between
old monastery residences, some wooden,
others colonial-style with pillar-mouldings. At
the T-junction two blocks later, swing round
the south side of 3 Khin Makantaik mon-
astery, take a left at the T-junction and ride
through interesting alleyways where
4 locals turn sugar cane into jaggary^
(mornings only).
Turn south on winding 91st St, possibly
stopping to nibble a delicious coconut-fi lled
doughnut (K250) at typically unpretentious
5 Aung Pyemoe (‘Who Dares Wins’)
teahouse. Opposite, a mirror-fronted colon-
nade leads into 6 Chanthaya Paya, whose
most precious Buddha image supposedly
dates back to the reign of Indian emperor
Ashoka. The pagoda’s main golden stupa
is particularly photogenic in afternoon light
when seen refl ected in the Thinga Yarsar
Canal from across a long teak footbridge.
Pass two 7 ceramics shops, then turn
west at 26th St to reach the 8 Ayeyarwady
riverside where it’s endlessly fascinating to
watch the plethora of cargo boats loading
and unloading.
Enjoy the scene more serenely with a beer
in hand from 9 View Point cafe.
START E I N DAW YA PAYA
FINISH VIEW POINT
CAFE
DISTANCE 1.5 MILES
DURATION ONE TO
THREE HOURS