Pyay

Pyay is an ancient yet modern city dating back to 638. It has interesting religious sights such as the giant sitting Buddha south of the city and the Shwebontha Muni Pagoda in nearby Pa Daung. It has three universities.
Most people come here to see the ancient ruins of Sri Kshetra aka the old Pyu city. Pyay is not yet that famous with western tourists.

By bus

• Highway Bus Station

From specific destinations:

• Bagan – The bus from the bus station near the airport south of Nyaung U leaves Bagan at 13:30 and takes about 10 hr, from 11,000 kyat.
• Mrauk U – 16 hr, 20,000 kyat.
• Ngapali – Via Taungup. 9-10 hr, 13-15,000 kyat. You could also take a 7-hr taxi (also from Thandwe) for US$50-60.
• Pathein – Mostly early morning buses. 10 hr, 6-10,000 kyat.
• Sittwe – 18 hr, 22,000 kyat.
• Taungup – Most people will come from Mrauk U, Sittwe and Ngapali going through Taungup. Prepare (your stomach) for a very bumpy ride through the mountains at certain seasons. 4-7 hr. 4,000-10,000 kyat.
• Thandwe – 8-12 hr, 8-10,000 kyat.
• Yangon – Pyay is a stopover for buses from Yangon to Sittwe or Mrauk U. 8 hr, from 10,000 kyat.

By train

• Pyay Main StationThe ticket counter is not open all day, so ask the locals before heading to the train station.

From specific destinations:

• Yangon – Trains leave every day from two different stations in Yangon, central and Kyemyindine station. From Kyemyindine 07:00 & 11:00 to arrive at 06:00 & 22:00. (11 hr), respectively. From central Yangon at 13:00 to arrive at 21:30 (8½ hr). Upper class is 3,900 kyat and ordinary seat 1,950 kyat for the whole distance.
• Pathein – The train leaves at 05:30 (2,000 kyat) and stops at Hinthada and . For the last 100 km from Kyankin to Pyay use local transport, because the train does not cross the Irrawaddy River. Boats are also an option.

By boat

• There is a local ferry that leaves Bagan Sundays at 17:30 and arrives on Monday at 10:45, from 20,000 kyat.
• Another local ferry leaves Yangon Fridays at 16:00 and arrives on Tuesday 24 hr later.

By plane

• Pyay AirportNo scheduled flights from other Myanmar cities.

The with an Aung San statue in the middle can be used for orientation, because most destinations are close.
Most sights and the Main Station can be reached by foot if you stay in one of the guesthouses in the center. For destinations outside this range, take a motorbike taxi or shared ride/pickup along the main roads. A private ride to the Highway Bus Station is about 1,000 kyat. Shared pickups are about 500 kyat for 10-15 km.
As always, you can also rent a bicycle starting at 1,000 kyat from on of the guesthouses.

• Shwe Sandaw PagodaThis pagoda offers the perfect view to take pictures of the giant, sitting Buddha (Sehtatgyi).

• SehtatgyiGiant, sitting Buddha.

• PagodaThis pagoda offers a great view of Pyay and the surrounding area.

• Tharaykhittaya Archaeological MuseumAn interesting collection of artifacts found around the ruins, showing bronze, ceramic and stone funerary urns, silver coins and bowls, jewellery, carved stone Buddhist and Hindu figures as well as ceramic votive plaques.

• Shwe Myethman PagodaA Buddha with glasses, and the 80 Buddhas Monastery. There are other pagodas within 400 m diameter around Shwe Myethman. Also see this , 2 km before Shwe Myethman.

• Shwe Bontha Muni PagodaThe Shwe Bontha Muni Buddha is supposed to be one of three replicas of the Maha Myat Muni Buddha, believed to date to 554 BCE when Sandar Thuriya, the king, ruled.

• Sri KsetraEven if you have seen Bagan, this sight is well-worth the visit. In 2014, Sri Kshetra, Halin and Beikthano (the Pyu cities) have been declared UNESCO World Heritage.

• Akauk TaungIn the cliff carved, beautiful Buddha statues. Best be seen by boat from the river. In addition, you can make a stop and explore the temples and Buddhas on top of Akuak Tuang mountain, which takes about one hour.

Several ATMs can be found in the city.

• Pyay Say Gyi MarketTry this market for the typical items found on Burmese markets.

• Night Market

• May Ywet War Myanmar Restaurant

  phone: +95 53 25 338
  address: Kan St
  A wide range of delicious curries. Top choice among all restaurants in Pyay.

• San Francisco Restaurant

  phone: +95 53 29 297
  address: Strand Rd
  Not very good value for money.

• Grandma's RestaurantGood western and South Korean food by the owner Banyar Aung, who has worked as a cook in Kuala Lumpur.

• Hline Ayar RestaurantGreat for sunset, including extensive English menu.

Some bars for the evening and including beer can be found south of the main roundabout. Some have English menus.

• Jade Dragon

  phone: +95 53 29 125
  address: No.29, Market Street
  Coffee, tea and little snacks.

• Romeo Cold CafeAnother riverside option good for a chill and tea.

Most accommodation options are central near the main roundabout.

• Pan Ga Ba Guest House

  address: 342 Merchant Street
  This is the recommended choice in Pyay. Family run, cozy and clean, although a little outdated and moldy. Very helpful people and great breakfast (papaya, samosa, spring rolls).

• Hotel 3D

  address: No.1448, Shwe Tite Tan Street
  Small but cheap rooms. Including a bottle of water. WiFi.

• Myat Lodging House

  phone: +95 53 25 695
  address: 222 Bazaar Street
  Not clean or comfortable.

• Smile Motel

  phone: +95 53 25142
  Has 20 old but decent rooms on the first floor in a very central location. Room are small but include comfortable beds, bathroom, TV, fridge and AC. Very friendly staff and bell boys.

• Pyay Strand

  phone: +95 9 516 7684, +95 53 25846
  address: 6 Strand Road
  Bright, big rooms including bathroom and TV. Comfort of the rooms various, so make sure to see your room before checking in. Great location nearby the river.

• Lucky Dragon

  phone: +95 53 24222, +95 53 12233
  address: No.772 Strand Road
  One of the more expensive hotels including all amenities, e.g. a swimming pool.

Long distance buses will start from the Highway Bus Station. For short distances, try the pickups or minibus along the main road out of town.

• Bagan – One of the most famous attractions in Myanmar. Due to the new and direct highway between Yangon and Mandalay, it has become harder to catch a bus to Bagan from Pyay—but also reachable by ferry.
• Mrauk U – Famous for is ancient sights and traditional, surrounding Chin Villages.
• Ngapali – Has the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar, but is mostly a resort place with few budget options available. The best option is to go by bus to Taungup and catch onward travel to Thandwe bus station (6 km from the beach) from there.
• Pathein – Famous for its handcrafted umbrellas. Reachable by bus or ferry.
• Sittwe – Not particularly famous, more a transport hub for in- & outbound travel from & to Yangon (via plane), mostly for Mrauk U.
• Taungup – Is nothing special, but there exist some tourist accommodation options. It can be a convenient hub for road travel between Pyay, Mrauk U, Sittwe and Ngapali.
• Yangon – Reachable by bus, train or ferry.