Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pathein
The largest settlement in the Delta, breezy
PATHEIN
is one of Myanmar's more enjoyable
provincial capitals, and although most foreign visitors pass straight through, is well worth an
overnight stop for its colourful array of temples, including the landmark
ShwemokhtawPa-
goda
, and the chance to visit one of the workshops where the brightly coloured cotton and
silk
umbrellas
for which the city is famous are made.
Historically, Pathein was part of the
Mon kingdom
, although the modern city now has few
ethnic Mon residents, the majority being Bamar and Kayin, along with sizeable Karen and
Rakhine minorities. The city has long been an important port, enjoying close links with India
- its name is said to derive from the Burmese word for “Parsi”,
Pathi
, due to the large num-
ber of Arab and Indian traders who once lived here. It was also a major centre of
British
rule
(during which it was known as “Bassein”), when a fort was built and a garrison established
in 1826 following the First Anglo-Burmese War.
