Pyay

QUICK FACT:

Location: Bago region, 274 km away from Yangon
Status: an important trading center between Upper and Central Myanmar
Population: 1,050,622 (estimated 2002)
Area: 7,641.9 square kilometers
Religion: Buddhism
Highlight: Sriksetra (or Thayekhittaya), the ancient capital of Pyu Kingdom

On the trip from Yangon to Bagan or Mandalay, visitors can drop by Pyay, an interesting stop as well as an important commercial and trading center among Rakhine State, the Central and Upper Myanmar. Formerly known as Prome, Pyay city is located 274 kilometers (170 miles) north of Yangon, across the Ayeyawaddy River, and is easily accessible by rail and road. Places of interest in Pyay include Buddhist related constructions and archaeological sites. The highlight of a Pyay visit for sure is Thayekhittaya (or Sriksetra) – the ancient capital of Pyu Kingdom in the time period of from the fifth to the ninth century. Standing behind thorny bushes dotted with beautiful white flowers, the site consists of several antique pagodas like Patagyi and Bawbawgyi. Also, there is a small museum displaying artifacts such as royal funerary vases, silver coins, stone carvings, terracotta votive tablets, and statues of Bodhisattva, Dvarapala, Vishnu, Lakshmi as well as other Hindu deities. The country was split into two parts – Upper and Lower Burma – in the 19th century, and the major exchanging panel between these two is Ayeyarwaddy River. Lying across this river is the range of Akauk Taung (Gautama Hill) which is full of Buddha images supposed to be carved by traders stopping for a while at the area. Located about 15 kilometers away from Pyay is the small town of Shwetaung, which is famous for its two pagodas: Shwemyettman – Pagoda of Golden Spectacles, and Shwenattaung – Pagoda of Golden Spirit Mountain.