Pyay (Prome, Myanmar)

Pyay (aka Prome) is an Irrawaddy River cruise port in Burma (Myanmar). The city has a population of around 135,000 and is located 260 km (160 ml) northwest of the capital Rangoon/Yangon. The town was established by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company (British) in the late 19th century as a cargo port between Lower and Upper Burma. Among the city's best tourist attractions is the Shwesandaw Pagoda (a pilgrimage location) having the Golden Hair Relic.

The name "Pyay" is translated to "country" in Burmese. To the south-east and south, the town of Pyay is closed in by pagoda-topped hills. On one of these stands the gilded Shwesandaw Pagoda, situated in the center of Pyay. It is the terminus for the railway from Yangon, running through the district.

To the west of Pyay crossing Irrawaddy through Nawaday bridge, is found another pagoda of Pyay, Shwebontha Muni Pagoda.

The north-east and north of the district is forest-covered, containing many valleys and ravines, that unite in a large stream called Naweng River. The major of the plains lie in the south-west and south portions of Pyay, and extend along the length of the railway running between.