Page 107 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

Pathein The DelTa anD wesTern MyanMar 105
MAWDIN POINT
at the very southwestern tip of the country, Mawdin Point (also known as Maw tin) is the spot
at which Buddhism is said to have first arrived in Myanmar – most likely brought here by
traders from india. today, the area’s Phaung Daw U and Mawtinsoun pagodas are highly
significant pilgrimage sites for the Burmese. the most colourful time to visit is during the huge
Mawdin Zun Payar festival between late February and early March each year, although the
site is generally busy at any time of year.
From Pathein there are buses (5–6hr) and boats (6–8hr) to Mawdin Point. a huge naval 2
base means that foreign visitors are sometimes asked for a permit. Local Pathein guide and
school teacher Soe Moe aung (Wtraveltopathein.me) can organize permits and transport
for $30 per day.

looks fairly sedate from the outside, but is typically congested and borderline
chaotic within, with old-fashioned wooden stalls like enormous, two-storey
cupboards.
North and south of here, Strand Road runs along the breezy Pathein River waterfront.
Facing the river just north of the market is the attractive colonial Customs House.
The area along Strand Road north of here is home to the city’s busy night market,
where the local seafood is served up in all manner of creative ways.

Dani Tan Monastery
• Mahabandoola Rd • Daily dawn–dusk
It’s difficult to miss the modern Dani Tan Monastery (aka Tikekyi), as the roof of its
main hall is topped with outlandish models of the Shwedagon and Golden Rock
at Mount Kyaiktiyo, appearing (at least from certain angles) to float miraculously
in midair.

28 Pagoda
• 28 Pagoda Rd • Daily dawn–dusk
Directly behind the Dani Tan monastery, the long, low 28 Pagoda is contrastingly
self-effacing. The rustic-looking shrine is named after the 28 standing Buddhas, with
28 further Buddhas sitting in niches behind them – the standing figures are posed in
the characteristic Mandalay style with hands holding the hems of the outer robe open
around the knees, as though about to step through a puddle. The building is usually
kept locked, although you can get a decent view in through the windows even if you
can’t locate a keyholder to open it for you.

Eastern monasteries
The area east of the centre along Mahabandoola Road is dotted with further temples
and monasteries – none is of any particular antiquity, although the various clusters of
often colourful and quirky buildings make an attractive backdrop to a walk out to the
Shwe Sar Traditional Umbrella Workshop (see p.107), which is also in this part of
town. Most attractive is the large Megada Wone Monastery near the end of 28 Pagoda
Street, while further east (and just around the corner from Shwe Sar) is the Settawyar
Pagoda, one of the largest in town.
arrIVal anD DeParTUre PaTheIn
By bus There’s no central bus station in Pathein – run to Ngwe Saung and Chaung Tha, and comfortable
different services arrive and depart in various places express buses go to Yangon. Bus ticket offices can be
around town (see map, p.104). Clapped-out minibuses found on Pagoda Rd.

098-137_Myanmar_B2_Ch2.indd 105 30/06/17 2:20 pm