Southern Myanmar

MON STATE

Mawlamyaing (Moulmein)

Mawlamyine is the capital of Mon State. It is 270km from Yangon. It has a population of about 240,000. It is an ancient Mon town which can be reached by road, rail, plane or boat from Yangon. If one chooses to go by road, one has to cross two rivers; the Sittaung River and the Than Lwin River. Mawlamyine Bridge which crosses the Than Lwin River is longest bridge in Myanmar. There are many seasonal fruits in Mon State which one can enjoy such as; Mangostein, Durian, Pineapple and Pomelo, the sweet and juicy ones that only the Mon State can produce. Now the city is being transformed into a modern city with many new public and private buildings sprouting up. Only the old pagodas on the Mawlamyine Ridge remind us of her ancient origins.

KYAIKHTIYO Pagoda

Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is a famous and sacred pagoda in Mon State. It is about 160km east of Yangon. Across the Gulf of Mottama – in the fertile area between Sittaung and Thanlwin rivers – lies the town of Thanton. And about halfway between Thanton and Bago, lies the town of Kyaikto which is approximately 10 miles from Kyaikhtiyo.

The Kyeikhtiyo Pagoda is a small sputa on 55 meter high, enshrined with the Buddha's hair relics, resting on a huge boulder on the very edge of a high cliff.

The gold covered boulder is roughly in the shape of a man's head, represent the head of a hermit.. The Boulder, which seems to be constantly on the verge of plunging down the mountain side, seems a miracle in itself and devotees are firm in their belief; that a pilgrimage here brings them good health and fortune.

The famous spectacular Kyaikhtiyo pagoda stands on a gilded boulder, precariously perched on the edge of a hill over 1100m above sea-level. Kyaikto is at the foot of the hill, and is about 160km from Yangon. Kyaikhtiyo is an 11km up-hill climb for hikers starting from Kinpun base camp. Every year on the night of 31 December, the Kyaikhtiyo platform dazzles with the light of nine thousand lamps and is fragrant with nine thousand flowers offered by pilgrims.

THANPYUZAYAT

It was the western terminus of the infamous Burma-Siam Railway, the "Death Rail Way" by the thousands of allied prisoners of War (POWs) and Asian force labors who were forced by the Japanese Military to built it which was connected with the famous "Bridge on the River Kwai" (Thailand) visit to the World Largest Reclining Buddha image and second World War Memorial Cemetery in THANPYUZAYAT.

TANINTHARYI REGION

MYEIK (OR) MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO

Myeik is a town located in Taningharyi Division of Myanmar, which is situated on the southern most part of the country. The main export of local products are such as tin, tungsten, dried prawns, Ngapi or fish paste, salt and rubber. There are expert drivers and make a living searching for oysters and mother-of-pearl. Peral diving particularly Pale Kyun (Pearl Island) 85 miles south of Myeik. Lampi Island, 65 miles by 30 miles with mountain range of 1500 feet above sea level, boats lovely beaches, coral reefs, clear water and undisturbed wild life and is being turned into a Marine National Park to attract eco tourists.

Myeik or the Mergui Archipelago has many virgin islands around it. The islands have white sandy beaches, and are good for snorkeling and scuba diving. The sea water is so clear that it is enough to see the coral reefs and the tropical fishes. There are abundant Lagoon caves, bird nests and waterfalls.

Dawei

Dawei is the capital of Tanintharyi Division in the south of Myanmar. It has founded in 1750 A.D. Dawei longyi (sarong) is famous among the Myanmar. The area produces rubber, dried fish and teakwood. There is also an ore refinery at Kamyawkin smelting Plant nearby. It's Situated about 614.3 km south of Yangon on the northern bank of the Dawei River.  Can reach there by car, air or by boat from Yangon and Mawlamyine. About two days by car from Yangon and 50 minute by air from Yangon. Myanmar Airways flies to Dawei 5 days a week. Near Dawei there is beautiful Maungmagan Beach Resort.

Kawthaung

Formerly called Victoria point, Kawthaung is a southern most town in Myanmar. It is 921 km from Yangon and 622 km from Mawlamyine. From Ranong, a border town in Thailand, visitors can take 20 minute boat trips to Kawthaung for sightseeing & shopping. It's only 45 minutes by air from Yangon. It takes about 2 days by special boats. Traveling by air and boat is recommended for comfort and safety while travel by road is not advised as it is less comfortable for visitors. Lanpi Marine Biological Park, Salone Village, Shwe Kyun (Runnel Island).