Pakokku Travel

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Pakokku is during the dry season, between October and May. 

The wet season runs from June to September, the rains can interfere with your outside activities.

Check the below table for the general idea of Pakokku weather throughout the year.

Pakokku's current weather and 7-day forecast

PAKOKKU WEATHER

Pakokku is a small place in Myanmar and can be easily explored within a day. Here are some of our suggestions:

Thihoshin Pagoda 

Pakokku's mains Buddhist temple couldn't be any different to the often staid and zestless temple ruins of Bagan. Built by King Alaungsithu some 800 years ago (but much rebuilt since), everything here pops, dazzles and glitters. Much of the interior is covered in tens of thousands of tiny glass tiles that reflect the light. There's a small and fairly uninspiring museum (free) at the far end of the large courtyard.

Shwe Ku Pagoda 

The Shwe Ku pagoda is famed for its Tangetawgyi buddha image and the stunningly intricate wood-carved backdrop full of filigree and depictions of spirits and animals. The rest of the complex is a clashing melange of spires, colours and general tackiness. Groups of locals come here in the evening to pray and there are normally plenty of monks in residence.

Pakhangyi 

About 17 miles northeast of Pakokku, on the way to Monywa, are the remains of Pakhangyi, a 19th-century wooden monastery. There isn't a lot to see here, but there are some finely carved wooden doors, and the soaring 65ft teak columns are rather impressive. Admission also gets you access to the Pakhangyi Archaeological Museum, half a mile up the road.

Elsewhere around the town are various scattered, half-collapsed stupas and remnants of other ancient monuments. They're all in a bad state of neglect, but it's a fun way to make your own discoveries.

Pakhangyi Archaeological Museum 

Half a mile north of Pakhangyi on the main road is this small provincial museum, which has a medley of 19th-century wooden carvings, 11th-century buddhas made of sandstone, ancient inscribed stone tablets, and some fossils and Neolithic tools thrown in for good measure.

Pakhanngeh Kyaung 

About 3 miles east of Pakhangyi (take the turn-off just opposite the turn-off to Pakhangyi) is the destroyed frame of Pakhanngeh Kyaung, once the country’s largest wooden monastery. Many of its 332 teak pillars still stand, and the area, near the fork of the Ayeyarwady and Kaladan rivers, makes for rewarding exploration. A taxi from Pakokku is about K35,000.

Being a small town, there are fewer accommodation options here. People usually consider making a quick stop here before heading to the neighboring cities. 

Pakokku Hotel

Room is not new, though fairly clean and equipped with new aircon. Bathroom is clean. 

Budget: USD 20-USD 30 including breakfast. 

Adress: Myopat St.,12th Qr.

Phone number: +95 62 21457.

Mya Yatanar Inn

Located directly in the center, rooms look shabby, aircon cannot be adjusted and breakfast consists of cold fried eggs and toast. However the rooms are clean, you can refill purified water in the lobby and they provide free WiFi. Try getting a room on the right side of the hotel away from the road to avoid traffic noise early in the morning. 

Budget: Room with private bathroom and aircon is USD8.

Address: 75 Lanmataw Street.

Phone number: +95 62 21457.

Tha Pyay Nyo Guesthouse

Most popular guesthouse for tourists in Monywa as it is the first pick of the Loney Planet. They have private bathroom with hot water, air-con, tv, fridge and a small balcony. Breakfast is included and is quite good (3 toast, butter, jam, te and coffee, banana, papaya, apple, orange, orange juice, eggs) Free wifi. The signal does not arrive to the newer rooms. 

Budget: USD20-USD30.

Address: 68 Myoma St.,7th Qr.

Phone Number: +9562 21166.

Many street food restaurants appears after the sunset and the city center start to be very lively. You will find several places to eat on the mainroad and surroundings.

River Garden Kitchen 

It is a good place to visit and to enjoy natural,organic and very fresh food. You can take a wlk in the garden where numerous seasonal food plants cultivated are ready to be served.

Amay Nu Myanmar Restaurant 

It is very good Myanmar food and a lot of smiles and good vibes from all the staff. Hightly recommended in Pakokku. But you need to go early in the evening, they close very early.

New Excellent Restaurant and Bar 

It is very crowded at night time, you can get fresh draught beers and BBQ and Chinese dishes.

Get in

By Bus

From Yangon to Pakokku,it takes about 10 hours and the price is $10. It departs at 8am and arrive at 6.30pm.

From Mandalay to Pakokku, it takes about 4 hours and the price is $4. It departs at 1pm and arrive at 5pm. There are also daily buses from Bagan (30 minutes) and Mindat (for Mount Victoria and Nat Ma Taung National Park), which departs 8.30 am and arrives in Pakokku at 2pm.

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

By Train

From Yangon to Pakokku, there is no direct train but you can go Bagan station by train. It costs $9-$22.And you can go with bus from Bagan to Pakokku. From Mandalay to Pakokku, you can go with Mandalay-Pakokku train. It takes about 5 hours and 50 minutes.

Get around

It's possible to hire a motorbike with driver, or, if you discuss a bit, just the bike without driver. You can rent a bicycle. You can go on a shared tuk tuk to any direction in the city. To go from east part to west part of pagodas you might need to change tuk tuk at the market.

Contact us to get more information