Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAWDIN POINT
If you follow the Pathein River until it empties into the Andaman Sea you'll reach
Mawdin Point
a place of great religious significance to Myanmar's Buddhists. This is
where the religion is first believed to have to have been introduced to the country,
no doubt by sailors from the Indian subcontinent;
Mawdin Paya
has graced the
point for centuries.
The best time to visit is during the 15-day Mawdin Paya festival in February or
March. Throughout the year, the point can be reached by either bus (K4000; six
hours) departing Pathein at noon and returning at 5am the next day; or by boat
(K3000; 10 hours) leaving Pathein at 5am and returning at 6pm.
As the point is near a naval base you should arrange a permit before setting off
here - Pathein guide Soe Moe Aung (
Click here
)
can arrange this and provide guid-
ing services to the area ($30 a day) which also includes Thamee Hla (Diamond Is-
land), an important sea-turtle hatchery.
Eating & Drinking
Shwe Ayar
BURMESE MUSLIM $
(32-35 Mingalar Rd; mains K1500)
It doesn't look like much but this place offers high-quality
biryani which you can supplement with chicken or mutton. The lentil and bean soup is so
delicious you'll want a second helping. Find it opposite Zaw Optical.
Zone Pan
BURMESE $
(Budar Rd/Station Rd; meals from K1500; 8am-9pm)
This typical Myanmar curry house
features a good range of tasty curries, soups and salads. To cut the grease of a Myanmar
meal, try the mouth-puckeringly tart
shauk-thi dhouq
(lemon salad). There's no English
sign here; look for the light-blue shopfront opposite Lucky One Tea Shop.
New City Tea Centre
TEAHOUSE $
(Mingyi Rd; snacks from K200; 5.30am-8.30pm)
Next to La Pyae Wun Hotel and perfect
for the breakfasts that your hotel doesn't provide. This shady teahouse provides plates of
freshly baked naan and chickpeas (only until 9.30am) and other snacks and a morning
caffeine kick.
