Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For buses to Yangon, the 9.30am departure by Asia Dragon is the most comforable and
terminates more conveniently at Aung San Stadium in the downtown area rather than
Hlaing Thar Yar Bus Terminal in the west of the city.
To continue up the coast to Gwa, and from there to Ngapali, you'll first have to return
to Pathein. From there take a bus to Nga Thein Chaung (one hour) where you'll have to
change buses for Gwa (four hours). From Gwa it's around eight hours to Ngapali, so
reckon on the trip taking around two days and having to overnight in Gwa.
BUSES FROM CHAUNG THA BEACH
FARE
(K)
DURATION
(HR)
DESTINATION
DEPARTURE
TYPE
Yangon
8000
7½
6am
bus
air-con
bus
Yangon
10,000
7½
9.30am
7am, 9am, 11am,
1pm
Pathein
4000
2½
minibus
MOTORBIKE
Motorbike taxis can be hired to take you to Pathein (K12,000) or directly to Ngwe Saung
Beach (K18,000).
BOAT
If it's calm, consider taking a boat (seats six; K65,000, two hours) to and from Ngwe
Saung. This is handy if you're in a group but be prepared to wade ashore with your bags
and ask to be dropped as close to your hotel as possible. Bring plenty of water and sun-
block.
TAXI
Share taxis for up to four people to Pathein (K50,000), Ngwe Saung (K50,000) and Yan-
gon (K150,000) can be arranged with your hotel's assistance.
Ngwe Saung Beach
FORGIVE US FOR THINKING THAT NGWE SAUNG BEACH HAS A SPLIT PERSONALITY. THESE DAYS THE
NORTHERN END OF THE BEACH HAS THE AIR OF A WEEKEND GETAWAY DESTINATION FOR NOUVEAU-RICHE
YANGONITES, AND IS HOME TO AN UNINTERRUPTED CHAIN OF WALLED, UPSCALE RESORTS. AT THE
SOUTHERN END A PALPABLE ABANDONED AURA PERVADES, AND THIS IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND FOREIGN
BACKPACKERS AND BUDGET BUNGALOWS. THE FACTOR LINKING THESE TWO DISPARATE PLACES IS AN
