My family visited Myanmar during Christmas Holidays. It was their second trip to Myanmar, so I decided to take them to a less touristic part of the country: Southern Myanmar.
Golden rock
We started by the Golden Rock. It is located at the top of the Kyaiktiyo mount. It is one of the three most sacred religious sites in Myanmar. People come from all over the country to see it and pray. According to legend, the Golden Rock is perched on a strand of the Buddha's hair.
What to go in Kyaiktiyo?
The main activity in Kyaiktiyo is going to the top of the mount and enjoy the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
After check-in in our hotel at Kinpun, the based camp of Kyaiktiyo mount, we directly went up. We took one of the open-top trucks. A lot of people were waiting to get a place in a truck so we quickly understood that we will not be able to fight to get ours. We decided to pay a little bit more to book the front sits. Actually, it was not a bad idea as it started to rain!The ride itself is epic. The driver is going really fast and we felt like in a roller coaster.
We have been really unlucky with the weather and it was raining a lot. But we went around the site and were able to experience its spiritual atmosphere. A lot of people were praying even if if is was raining hard.
By bus, it is 4 hours from Yangon to Kinpun.
Where to stay?
We did not stay at the top of the rock as the hotels were quite pricey.
We stayed at Eternity hotel, a nice hotel in Kinpun with a beautiful view on the golden rock.
Kinpun is a very animated city with a big markets and tons of local restaurant.
We stayed at Eternity hotel, a nice hotel in Kinpun with a beautiful view on the golden rock.
Kinpun is a very animated city with a big markets and tons of local restaurant.
Hpa-An
After our Golden Rock adventures, we headed to Hpa-An. Hpa-An is located in Kayin state where mostly Karen people are living. It is hard to choose but I would say that Hpa-An is one of my favorite places in Myanmar. Landscapes are magical, the atmosphere peaceful and people very welcoming.
What to do in Hpa-An?
I would recommend to stay at least two days. The city is famous for its mounts, its rice fields, its caves and the Mount Zwegabin. To go around, we chose the tuck-tuck and open-truck options. You can also rent a motorbike or a car.
I would recommend to stay at least two days. The city is famous for its mounts, its rice fields, its caves and the Mount Zwegabin. To go around, we chose the tuck-tuck and open-truck options. You can also rent a motorbike or a car.
Mount Zwegabin and Lumbini Garden
We did not have time to climb the mount but just visited the garden where there are 1100 Buddha statues.
We did not have time to climb the mount but just visited the garden where there are 1100 Buddha statues.
Kyaik Ka Lat Pagoda
I really liked this magical site including a monastery, a lake and a stupa at the top of a rock.
Sunset at the Bats cave
When the sun goes down, thousands of bats are leaving the cave to find food. It is really impressive! And little scary if you do not like bats like us...
Yathei Pyan cave
The best part of the visit is crossing the cave and enjoy the amazing view....
The best part of the visit is crossing the cave and enjoy the amazing view....
Kaw-Gone cave
Kaw-Gone cave is the cave I found the most impressive because very well preserved.
You can also climb on the left side of the cave to have a nice view over the mountains.
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We had lunch at what local people call waterfalls. Actually it is a natural swimming pool where people are coming to swim.
Behing the swimming pool, there is a nice wooden monastery.
Sadan cave
The cave itself has nothing special but the boat ride at the end of the visit is amazing.
After crossing the cave, smalls boats are waiting for you (need to pay for the ride) and take you back to the entrance of the cave. The boat crosses the flooded rice fields surrounded by the mountains.
Kaw Ka Thaung cave
The Kaw Ka Thaung worth the visit for its colors but also just for the surroundings as you are in the middle of villages, mounts and rice fields.
At the end, what I loved in Hpa-An is just driving around and enjoying the view.
How to get there?
There is a bus between the Golden Rock and Hpa-An. It took us around 3 hours. There are also direct buses from Yangon (around 6 hours)
Where to eat?
We went few times to Veranda cafe, a community based coffee place. They have fresh and testy Burmese food. There is also a travel hub managed by two really nice Burmese girls who helped us organised our days.
Where to stay ?
I would say that the offer in Hpa-An is not really good.There are guesthouses or expensive hotels. We ended at Thiri Hpa-An, a big hotel with no particular charm but the swimming pool makes the difference.
Hpa-An to Mawlamyaine by boat
We had a super nice day on the boat! We decided to take a private boat to be able to stop wherever we wanted but there are also group tours. The moments when you leave Hpa-An and when you arrive in Mawlamyaine are magical.
We stopped in a small village and our driver made us visit the fields. Really nice people offered us coffee and fruits.
We visited U Na Auk monastery which is accessible by boat.
It is one of the most beautiful monastery I visited in the country. Really recommend to take time to go.
Mawlamyaine
Mawlamyaine is in Mon State. The city is on Salouen riverside and is dominated by hills.
I really liked the city atmosphere. You can feel the colonial heritage. There is also an important Indian influence. What to do?
Pagodas hill
When we arrived in the city, we directly went to the hill pagodas to watch the sunset.
We really liked the Kyaikthnanlan Pagoda from where you have an amazing view over the city. It is the perfect sunset spot!
For the second day, we decided to rent motorbikes to explore the city and the surroundings.
Nwa La Bo Pagoda
Nwa La Bo is a small Golden Rock. It is situated in Kyaung Ka village, 45 minutes from Mawlamyaine. We had some difficulties finding the place.
The pagoda is a really peaceful place from where you have a nice view over the region.
Nwa La Bo is a small Golden Rock. It is situated in Kyaung Ka village, 45 minutes from Mawlamyaine. We had some difficulties finding the place.
The pagoda is a really peaceful place from where you have a nice view over the region.
During the afternoon, we went around the city to see the old the colonials houses, the mosques street and the churches street.
Shampoo Island
Shampoo Island is a green and cut small island. You have to take a boat to get there. There is a pagoda and a monastery at the middle. It is still a very animated place where monks and nuns are living. It is a famous meditation places for Myanmar people.
Shampoo Island is a green and cut small island. You have to take a boat to get there. There is a pagoda and a monastery at the middle. It is still a very animated place where monks and nuns are living. It is a famous meditation places for Myanmar people.
Where to eat?
Bone Gyi
A lot of tourists come for lunch or dinner so it is a little pricey but we had really good food: squid salad, vegetables and chicken local style. The location on the riverside is also very pleasant.
Restaurant of Cinderella hotelWe went there two times and really enjoyed it. The restaurant is in a peaceful garden very nicely decorated. We had very good European and Asian food.
Where to stay?
We stayed at Cinderella and we loved it! The hotel was perfect: nicely decorated, at the center of the city, amazing breakfast, very nice staff....Breeze hotel seems to be a very nice backpackers place. They rent bikes and motorbikes and organize day trips.
From Mawlamyine to Dawei : the biggest reclining Buddha and Ye
We went to Dawei by car. It took us around 8 hours. On the way, we stopped at the biggest reclining Buddha in the
world: Buddha Win Sein. It is a funny place to see. There is also a fun museum to see under the Buddha statue.
We also stopped at Ye to have lunch. It is a charming and quiet city. We ate in a restaurant located around the lake with a view on a small monastery at the center of the lake.
If you have time, it could be a good idea to stop there for a day or night. There is a very cute guesthouse: Starlight Guesthouse.
Dawei
Dawei is amazing! It is still very authentic and people are really happy to see tourists coming to discover their region.
But the touristic offer is still limited and it is complicated to find information compared to others sites like Inle or Bagan.
If you need any support, don't hesitate to contact our amazing guide from Dawei Adventure.
He speaks a very good English and is passionate about his region. He will make your stay very special!
But the touristic offer is still limited and it is complicated to find information compared to others sites like Inle or Bagan.
If you need any support, don't hesitate to contact our amazing guide from Dawei Adventure.
He speaks a very good English and is passionate about his region. He will make your stay very special!
As all the bungalows on the peninsula were fully booked, we stayed 2 nights in Dawei and 2 nights in Mangmagaung.
Dawei city
What to do?
Dawei is a very cute and enjoyable city. I would recommend to take
some time to visit it.
Where to eat in Dawei?
Le Bistrot
We ate two times in this newly opened French restaurant. The food is really good and fresh.
Tavoy Kitchen
The restaurant is owned by a Burmese girl passionate about her work. We had a super good dinner and amazing Thai-style curries.
Ayinsa Gardens: massage and cooking class
I fell in love with Ayinsa Gardens!
Is it a cooking school and massage place owned by foreigners. They renovated a big Myanmar house and rearranged the garden.
Fishing villages
There are a lot of fishing villages around Dawei.
Even if it is nice to visit we have been really chocked by the dirt. A real problem in Dawei area is plastic. There are plastics everywhere! I really hope it will change soon because it really damages the environment.
Myawyik Pagoda & San Maria Bay
MaungMagan is famous among local people. The beach is not as idyllic as the others beaches in the area but is more animated with lots of seafood restaurants and local families coming during weekends.
For our second day, we decided to rest at the beach. We choose a bungalow on the beach: Long Beach Bungalows. The bungalows are comfortable and it’s right on the beach. But it is still not very well managed...
The most beautiful beaches are located in the Peninsula. It is around 2-3 hours drive from Dawei.
Our guide toook us to the local market and local factories: betel, cashew nuts, gold jewelry, pot, sewing clothes, sweeper...
Where to eat in Dawei?
Le Bistrot
We ate two times in this newly opened French restaurant. The food is really good and fresh.
Tavoy Kitchen
The restaurant is owned by a Burmese girl passionate about her work. We had a super good dinner and amazing Thai-style curries.
Ayinsa Gardens: massage and cooking classI fell in love with Ayinsa Gardens!
Is it a cooking school and massage place owned by foreigners. They renovated a big Myanmar house and rearranged the garden.
Massages are made by professional masseurs. It is a perfect way to end a busy day.
Fishing villages
There are a lot of fishing villages around Dawei.
Even if it is nice to visit we have been really chocked by the dirt. A real problem in Dawei area is plastic. There are plastics everywhere! I really hope it will change soon because it really damages the environment.
Myawyik Pagoda & San Maria Bay
MaungMagan beach
MaungMagan is famous among local people. The beach is not as idyllic as the others beaches in the area but is more animated with lots of seafood restaurants and local families coming during weekends.
For our second day, we decided to rest at the beach. We choose a bungalow on the beach: Long Beach Bungalows. The bungalows are comfortable and it’s right on the beach. But it is still not very well managed...
We had very good food at Pyae Pyae restaurant:
Dawei peninsula
The most beautiful beaches are located in the Peninsula. It is around 2-3 hours drive from Dawei. Grand Father beach
We spend our last day on motorbikes to see the famous Grand
Father beach.
It was really amazing !
The ride is also super nice at we crossed a lot of villages.
The ride is also super nice at we crossed a lot of villages.
We stopped at the middle of the beach in a cute small restaurant owned by a couple who worked for some time in Thailand.
And it was the occasion for my sister to learn how to ride a motorbike.
Mergui Islands
Myiek is 6 hours from Dawei so we decided to end our trip by the famous Mergui islands!
Myeik city
Myeik is a big and very animated city as there is a big harbor.
The food was excellent! We had dinner in two different restaurants and seafood was amazingly fresh and tasty.
How to visit the islands?
Myeik city
Myeik is a big and very animated city as there is a big harbor.
The food was excellent! We had dinner in two different restaurants and seafood was amazingly fresh and tasty.
How to visit the islands?
The infrastructures are still limited and tours are expensive.The first way to visit the islands is to stay in a resort. However, there are very few resorts on the islands that are out of our budget. It is also possible to go on a cruise.
As we had limited time and budget, we just did on day boat trip. We did snorkeling, rested at the Harris beach and visited one fish farming. Harris beach is a paradise island with transparent water and coconut trees. It was a peaceful way to end our trip!
As we had limited time and budget, we just did on day boat trip. We did snorkeling, rested at the Harris beach and visited one fish farming. Harris beach is a paradise island with transparent water and coconut trees. It was a peaceful way to end our trip!
Guide contact:
Green Neco helped us to organize the trip. They organized transportation, hotels and activities in Dawei and Myiek. Tan was really nice and helpful. He is passionate about his region and he is always happy to share information.
Perfect !!!
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