MAWLAMYINE

Mawlamyine used to be the capital of Burma during the British colonial rule. This was the setting of George Orwell's classic 1934 book, Burmese Days, depicting his life and times. Many colonial buildings still survive that give a nostalgic look at Mawlamyine's British legacy.

Mawlamyine Blogs by TheLoneRider

Vipassana: 6 Days of Monastic Life at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery

(Jan 31 - Feb 5, 2020) Frustrated with my failed plan to do Vipassana (Satipatthana) in Battambang, Cambodia and Yangon, Myanmar, I learned of a Vipassana meditation center just 16 kms away from downtown Mawlamyine. And since it's a Forest Monastery tradition, it didn't require a 10-day stay. With the remaining 6 days on my visa, I just took the motor ride and showed-up.....more »»

Exploring Mawlamyine, Myanmar

(Jan 29-31, 2020) After 4 days in Hpa-an, it was time to pack-up again and venture out. When I heard that there is a pleasant boat ride from Hpa-an to Mawlamyine, my next destination was penciled-in. What's in Mawlamyine? I don't know, but I am giving it 4 days to find out.....more »»

Mawlamyine, Myanmar

USEFUL INFORMATION

Mawlamyine FYI / Travel Tips

BOAT

Hpa-an to Mawlamyine - departure 1:30pm, arrival 5:00pm, 3.5 hours, MMK 10k including car pick-up from hotel

BUS

Hpa-an to Mawlamyine - by BUS, MMK 1200k, disembarking on every bridge crossing
Yangon to Mawlamyine - Man Dalar Minn Express is also a popular and reputable bus company
Yangon to Mawlamyine - PTT bus (War Dan St., 01-221479, 01-221472, 01-212131), 7 hours, special seating, MMK 8000, departure 8pm and 9pm, arrival 3am and 4am respectively.
Mawlamyine to Yangon - Mawlamyine to Yangon is MMK10k, departing 9pm and 10pm, and arriving Yangon at 4am and 5am respectively. $16 USD for upper class seats at Mawlamyine train station counter #7

TRAIN

Yangon to Mawlamyine - 2 trips daily, depart 6:00 am (two stops at Thaton and Kyaitiyo), arrive 3:30 pm (9.5 hours), next service leaving Yangon 7:15 am, arriving Mawlamyine at 6:30 pm.
Mawlamyine to Yangon - 2 trips daily, depart 6:00 am (two stops at Thaton and Kyaitiyo), arrive 3:45 pm (9.75 hours), next service leaving Yangon 10:00 am, arriving Mawlamyine at 8:00 pm (10 hours).

MOTORBIKE WITHIN MAWLAMYINE

motor cycle commute - pay only MMK 500 for short distances
motor cycle tours - I was quoted MMK 20,000 for half-day tour covering 3 attractions

Attractions

Pa-Auk Tawya Meditation Centre - Theravada Buddhist monastery practicing both Samatha (tranquility) and Vipassana (insight) meditation. Take bus bound for Mudon, ask the driver to let you off at Pa-Auk Tawya (the bus goes right past the main gate of the monastery on the way to Mudon)
Tel (95) 57-27853 / (95) 57-27548 | Email: paauktawya.main@gmail.com
Zeigyi (Central Market) -
Gaungsaekune Sandawshin Pagoda -
Night Market -
Kyeik Tha Lan Pagoda -
Kyaik Thoke Pagoda -
Win Sein Taw Ya - Reclining Buddha -
Death Railway Museum -
Bilu Island -
Thanbyuzayat World War II Cemetery -

Mawlamyine Cost Index

As a general rule, local food much like its neighbors Hpa-an and Myawaddy, is inexpensive in Mawlamyine. It is delicious, safe (I never had a tummy issue with any of its street food) and all over the place. You can get a decent local noodle meal for MMK 500 ($0.30).

USEFUL INFORMATION

(as of Jan 2020)

Myanmar FYI / Travel Tips

accommodation - not all destinations in Myanmar can accommodate foreign travelers. Walk-in hotel guests could be refused. Better make an online booking, or make sure the hotel you wish to stay, at is listed in the online booking sites (Agoda, Booking.com, etc.)
local time - adjust time 30 mins behind from Thailand (if arriving from Thailand)
Burmese people - Burmese people are new to what's happening to Myanmar - being opened-up to the rest of the world. They remain friendly, helpful and curious. Tourism being new, the culture is not yet corrupted by it.

General Travel Tips

arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!

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