lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

ÉÉSTART EINDAWYA PAYAFINISH VIEW POINTCAFEDISTANCE 1.5 MILESDURATION ONE TOTHREE HOURS0 300 m#e0 0.2 miles211Ayeyarwady River#8ÉÉ#ú AfternoonMarket#7#9É'€ÉThinga YarzarCanal#6ÉÉ#5#4Pinya St26th St(BayintnaungRd)91st St#390thStÉ88th St#289th St#1&~87thStEindawya StSHANDISTRICT86thSt Market85th St29th St84th StMANDALAY SLEEPING& AROUND SLEEPINGCycling TourWest MandalayIf central Mandalay’s fumes and trafficare getting you down, jump on a bike andpedal out into the web of back lanes to thewest. Random encounters are likely to bea highlight, but there’s plenty of interest atevery turn. This suggestion is just one ofmany possibilities.Start at the west exit of 1 EindawyaPaya, descend shady 89th St one block, thenveer right just before a 2 crocodile bridge.The bridge represents Ngamoe Yeik, the faithfulservant of tragic Burmese-chronicle heroMin Nandar, who made his last journey in thefriendly crocodile’s jaws.Take the east-west narrow lane betweenold monastery residences, some wooden,others colonial-style with pillar-mouldings. Atthe T-junction two blocks later, swing roundthe south side of 3 Khin Makantaik monastery,take a left at the T-junction and ridethrough interesting alleyways where4 locals turn sugar cane into jaggary(mornings only).Turn south on winding 91st St, possiblystopping to nibble a delicious coconut-filleddoughnut (K250) at typically unpretentious5 Aung Pyemoe (‘Who Dares Wins’)teahouse. Opposite, a mirror-fronted colonnadeleads into 6 Chanthaya Paya, whosemost precious Buddha image supposedlydates back to the reign of Indian emperorAshoka. The pagoda’s main golden stupais particularly photogenic in afternoon lightwhen seen reflected in the Thinga YarsarCanal from across a long teak footbridge.Pass two 7 ceramics shops, then turnwest at 26th St to reach the 8 Ayeyarwadyriverside where it’s endlessly fascinating towatch the plethora of cargo boats loadingand unloading.Enjoy the scene more serenely with a beerin hand from 9 View Point cafe.