Pyay (Prome)

Pyay is located about 285 km north of Yangon, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy, it is easily accessible by road or by rail, which takes about 5 hours. A few kilometers northeast of the town is Thaye Khittaya (Sri Ksetra), an archaeological site of the ancient Pyu capital (5th to 9th century). Shwenattaung Paya, Shwesandaw Pagoda, Hsehtakyi Pagoda, Shwe Phone Pwint Museum, Bawbawgyi Pagoda, Bebegyi Pagoda, Payagyi and Payama Stupas are other places of interest around Pyay. Not far from Pyay you can visit to elephant camp. The following are famous Payas and place in Pyay.

Shwemyethman Paya:
Meaning 'Paya with the Golden Spectacles' a reference to a large white face sitting Buddha image inside the main shrine. The Buddha image wears a golden rimmed spectacles. Spectacles were added during the Konbaung era. There is a saying that this image can cure illnesses especially for eyes.

Shwenattaung Paya:
Means 'Golden Spirit Mountain'. This pagoda dates back to the Sriksetra era. Legend takes it back all the way to 283 BC, from which it was reconstructed by a long range of Burma kings with the aid of local nats (spirits). A large pagoda festival is held here each year on the full moon of Tabaung (February/March).

Akauktaung Mountain:
Akauktaung Mountain stands on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River to the north of Pyay in Bago Division. It takes 15 minutes by boat ride to reach the Akauktaung. Different sizes and styles of Buddha images are carved into the wall of the bank and the visitor can climb and visit the Akauktaung pagoda, which lies at the top of the bank.

Hmawza:
The ancient site of Srikestra lie 8 km north-east of Pyay is the village of Hmawza, Early Pyu kingdom that ruled the surrounding area from the 5th to 9th century AD. By the old palace site stands a small museum and a map of the area. Inside the museum is a collection of artifacts colleted from Thayekhittaya excavations, including royal funerary urns, stone relief's, a couple of bodhisattvas, statues of the Hindu deities Tara Devi, Vishnu and Lakshmi and several 6th century Buddha images, tile fragments, terracotta votive tablets and silver coins minted in the kingdom etc.