Yangon & Around - Myanmar (Burma) - page 167

money on tacky souvenirs, boisterous beach football games, happy family picnics and
setting off Chinese fireworks in the evening.
It's not the most awe-inspiring piece of coastline, but if you need to squeeze some
sand and sun into your visit to Myanmar, it is a relatively convenient and affordable op-
tion. Unlike Ngwe Saung Beach further south, a few places here are open year-round.
Sights & Activities
The beach itself is the main focus, with the pretty Kyauk Pahto pagoda on a rock about
two thirds of the way down. Walk to the far southern end and you can take a boat to
nearby Aung Mingalar Island (K1000 return) where there's a small fishing village and
the Aung Mingalar Mya Kyunnyo pagoda up on a hill.
Get up early if you want to browse the village market (open 5.30am to 9.30am) loc-
ated behind Chaung Tha's bus station. The rest of the village lies around here and along
the main road as it veers left after Hotel Max. Continue to the wooden jetty at the end of
the road, where you should be able to persuade a fisher to take you up the river and
around the mangroves (from K10,000 per hour). This is also the route to Ngwe Saung.
A modest coral reef lies a short way offshore with decent snorkelling possible both
here and around the headland at the beach's northern end. During the rainy season the
water clarity is terrible.
The best snorkelling, though, is about a two-hour boat ride away. Boats, which can be
arranged through your hotel or the couple of tourist information providers, cost K50,000
per hour for six people. If you haven't got your own gear it's possible to rent a tatty
snorkel and mask from hotels and the tourist info spots. You can also rent canoes for
about K10,000 a day, or bicycles for about K2000 a day.
Day Trips
Whitesand Island (The Pyu Kyun), visible a short way offshore, is a popular snorkelling
and swimming sport. Boats (K3000 return, 30 minutes) leave from the jetty at the south
end of the village every hour or so from 8am (last one back leaves at 5pm). There's very
little shade on the low-lying island; bring plenty of water. Don't attempt to swim over -
it's a very long way.
About 9 miles north from Chaung Tha is Chauk Maung Na Ma , with a similar white
sand beach to Ngwe Saung: it's quiet, and you can snorkel, fish and meet local people.
It's also a good place for a picnic. You can walk here in around two hours in the dry sea-
son.