Around 450yd west of the central jetty is a stretch of relatively old wooden houses. Further inland is an area of tree-shaded footpaths and alleys that forms an intriguing pottery district. Here, in household compounds, Shwebo’s archetypal tau ye-u (drinking water pots) and subu (football-sized piggy banks) are formed and fired in kilns of carefully heaped rice-husks.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. An Daw Paya

2.73 MILES

This eye-catching ornate pagoda lies in a rural mainland field, directly across the river from Shwe Baw Kyune and around 2 miles south of central Shwegu…

2. Shwe Baw Kyune

3.02 MILES

At first glance this monastery looks like a 20th-century structure. Historians, though, say it was built in the 13th century, while monastic fables…

3. Former British Club

27.86 MILES

The half-timbered former British Club is now used as an association office and has been much rebuilt since George Orwell's time.

4. Tennis Club

27.86 MILES

The 1924 Tennis Club dates from George Orwell's time.

5. Police Commissioner's House

27.97 MILES

George Orwell is said to have lived at the comfy, two-storey police commissioner’s house, which is still used as such, so it’s not advisable to knock on…

6. St Paul’s Anglican Church

28 MILES

The George Orwell–era St Paul’s Anglican Church collapsed in 2007 and has been replaced by a new church part-sponsored by troops from the Princess of…

7. Former DC's House

28.01 MILES

The 1928 DC’s House was actually completed just after George Orwell’s stay, but its unmistakable style would fit McGregor, the subject of Orwell's Burmese…

8. Bamboo Bridge

28.2 MILES

It is worth checking out this rickety but spectacular bamboo bridge that allows you to cross the wide Tapin River.