Hostels in MAWLAMYINE, MYANMAR

City Mawlamyne in Myanmar - Old Capital and Port

Third largest city in Myanmar, Mawlamyne is located at a distance of 300 Kilometres to the south east of Yangon across the Gulf of Mottama on the mouth of river Thanlwin. In past it was a thriving teak port as well as the administrative capital of Lower Burma.

Accommodation Options
Accommodation choices are limited and at times over priced in comparison to neighbouring Thailand. Since load shedding is common, powered generators are used in hotels and resorts. Facilities turn limited with backup generators. A few new hotels have recently come up. Absence of sufficient numbers of budget hotels and bed and breakfast resorts could be a problem. A couple of youth hostels and guest houses however, are available.

History
Capital of British Burma during 1826-52, Mawlamyaing was the background for “Shooting on Elephant” of George Orwell. Previously known as Moulmein, the city had substantial Anglo-Burmese population and flourishing rubber plantations.  Gateway to South East Myanmar, the city has the longest rail and road bridge called Thanlwin Bridge. Heritage site like the Siam-Burma death railway makes it one of the fascinating destinations for tourists.

Places of Interest
Mawlamyine represents Myanmar different from Yangon and Mandalay. Mawlamyine is famous for seaport, new market, pagodas, bridge, and Mawlamyaing University.

Major places of interests are Thanlwin Bridge, the longest in Myanmar, Bago Shwemawdaw pagoda, Kanbawathardi palace site, Shwethlyaung or reclining Buddha, Gaw gun, Thanlwin river, Sadan and Kawkathaung caves, Pha gat caves and Zwekabin hill.

Apart from Mawlamyine market, strand road, and excursion to Kyaikmaraw pagoda, one can also enjoy visit to Kyaikhtihsaung pagoda, Shwe YinMyaw pagoda, Mahaumi pagoda, Kyikthanlan pagoda, Baw Di KoeHtaung pagoda, Kyaipawlaw pagoda too.

Getting Around – A Guide to Convenient Travel
Mawlamyine bus terminal at Myay Ni Gone quarter was opened in April 2007 followed by new train station. Motorcycle taxis called “Sikeh” are also available. Regular bus services to Yangon are available. Luggage handling services offered by the buses are excellent. Bago and Thaton are the two interim stoppages. Foreigners require four copies of passport and visa on return journey to Yangon that the bus services would hand over to authorities on the way. Three trains from Yangon to Mottama and ferry services on Than Lwin River are sources of transportation in Mawlamyine.

Entertainment
Combination of Indian, Chinese, and Thai dishes, European food, and beverages are available in the restaurants. Shopping centres provide local artefacts and items of interest for tourists. Excursions from the city are the major source of entertainment for travellers.

Language
Main language of the city is Burmese followed by Chinese. English is however, the major tourist language.

Currency
Myanmar kyat is the currency used in the city for all transactions though a couple of bus services require payments to be made by foreigners in US dollars. It would be good to have track of the exchange rate news either from currency exchange market or Internet since kyat is extremely volatile in terms of exchange value.

Group accommodation in Mawlamyne | Cheap hostels & budget hotels