THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 158

Chaung Tha
If you're looking for a picture-postcard tropical beach with deserted sands, unspoilt coastal
scenery and nothing to break the silence save the sound of a distant cocktail being discreetly
mixed, then CHAUNGTHA definitely isn't the place to come. The beach is none too clean,
and despite its considerable size fills up quickly (at weekends especially) with vast hordes of
visiting Yangonites playing football and chinlone , splashing around in inner tubes, and con-
suming astonishing quantities of grilled seafood and beer. Opportunities for peaceful swim-
ming, sunbathing and contemplation of the waves are strictly limited, but as a place to ob-
serve Myanmar's middle classes at play, there's probably nowhere better, and if you take
Chaung Tha for what it is - a kind of miniature Burmese Bognor Regis, with a determinedly
bucket-and-spade ambience - you might find the place surprisingly enjoyable.
ChaungTha(“PleasantStream”)issituatedonapromontorybetweentheBayofBengaland
the Chaung Tha River. The main beach road runs roughly northwest to southeast for about
2.5km, passing a burgeoning straggle of restaurants and hotels before terminating in Chaung
Tha village , where you'll find the biggest concentration of guesthouses, cafés and souvenir
shops, catering to a determinedly local crowd, and always lively after dark. The beach itself
is extremely wide, dotted with barbecue stalls and plastic chairs under parasols at its far end
towards Hotel Max and becoming quieter and emptier as you head away from the village,
passing a lumpy-looking pagoda built on top of a small limestone outcrop on the way.
White Sand Island
Boats to the island leave from the jetty in the village every hour or so (15-20min; K3000)
To escape the crowds your best bet is to head out to the tiny speck of land known as White
Sand Island (Thel Phyu), which is good for swimming and snorkelling (you can rent snor-
kelling gear from Mr George ) , although there are no facilities, and not much shade either.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: CHAUNG THA
Arriving at the beginning of the main road through Chaung Tha you'll almost immediately
past Sea & See guesthouse (on your right), followed shortly afterwards by the Belle Resort
and Shwe Ya Minn (on the right and left respectively). The bus/minibus “station” (an open
space inthemiddle ofasmall squareofshops)isaboutanother 750mdowntheroad,andthe
Hotel Max a further 250m or so beyond, just before Chaung Tha village proper.
Bybus It'sbesttobuybusticketsatleastadayinadvance,particularlyinpeakseason.Tick-
ets can be bought at the bus station, via Mr George , or possibly through your hotel.
Destinations Pathein (6 daily; 2hr); Yangon (2-4 daily; 6hr).
Bymotorbike It's possible to travel directly from Chaung Tha to Ngwe Saung by motorbike
(K12,000; 2hr), a fun if bumpy ride through the wild and hilly coastal hinterlands, with three
short ferry crossings en route. Ask at Mr George's or your accommodation. Another cost-ef-