Yangon & Around - Myanmar (Burma) - page 144

In 1599 his private army sacked Bago, but in 1613 the Bamar besieged Thanlyin and
de Brito received the punishment reserved for those who defiled Buddhist shrines: death
by impalement. It took him two days to die, due, it is said, to his failure to take the re-
commended posture for the stake to penetrate vital organs.
Thanlyin continued to be a major port and trading centre and for a while was the base
of the French East India Company. It was the first place in Myanmar to receive Christian
missionaries and have its own church.
The ruins of a Portuguese-built church , dating to 1750, can be found not far from the
Thanlyin Bridge.
After the town was destroyed by Bamar king Alaungpaya in 1756, its role as a port
was eclipsed by Yangon. Under British colonial rule the town became known as Syriam
and flourised again as an important oil refinery; the plant is still operating today.
DON'T MISS
AROUND YANGON HIGHLIGHTS
» Admire the artistry and skill needed to make silk and cotton parasols in Pathein
( Click here ), the ideal base for exploring the delta.
» Cycle around the historic temples of former capital Bago ( Click here ) , where you
can view a partial reconstruction of a royal palace.
» Combine a cooking course in Thanlyin ( Click here ) with a trip to the crocodile
farm and the National Races Village.
» Ride a motorbike taxi along jungle tracks between the beach resorts of Chaung
Tha ( Click here ) and Ngwe Saung ( Click here ) , crossing three rivers by ferry en
route.
Sights
Thanlyin is a relaxing place, with shaded streets and a busy market to stroll through.
There is little of the ancient city to be seen.
In the third week of January Thanlyin's Hindu community celebrates (or endures de-
pending on your opinion) Thaipusam , the ritual of penitence in which devotees repent
bad deeds by impaling themselves with hooks and nails and walking over hot coals.
Kyaik-khauk Paya BUDDHIST STUPA