Discovering Mawlamyine

You'll start your tour with a pleasant 20-30 minute walk along the peaceful roads of Mawlamyine to get a general feel for the town and observe local life. The walk will take you through Bogyoke Lan and Anauk Tat Myak Street all the way to the Upper Main Street passing a myriad of interesting colonial buildings on the way. You'll see the two main mosques in Mawlamyine and a couple of British colonial churches like St. Gabriel's and St. Matthew's. If your visit does happen to be on a Sunday you can opt to visit a 'Sunday school' where young Burmese learn about the teachings of Jesus and the bible.

When you reach Lower Street you'll be able to take a trishaw (2,000 kyats per person) to the daily market near the Strand Hotel. Take a walk around the market where you can taste the Mawlamyine's famous pomelo and durian fruits. A popular Burmese expression says: 'Mandalay for the speaking, Yangon for the bragging, Mawlamyine for the eating'. Your guide will show you what it means at the Phongyi restaurant for lunch which is one of the most popular among the Mawlamyine locals. Simple as it is, it offers great Burmese and Chinese food prepared with seasonal fruits and vegetables before returning to your hotel.

In the evening your guide will pick you up at your hotel to visit Sein Don monastery and pagoda where the local monks will be happy to show you around the complex, including its normally hidden and closed rooms. Your tour ends watching sunset from the wonderfully atmospheric Kipling's pagoda offering unbeatable views over the town.