Page 171 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

Dawei anD arounD SoutheaStern MyanMar 169
Dawei and around
Off-limits to foreign visitors for almost fifty years, the Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar’s
southernmost territory, finally opened to travellers in 2013. Having spent decades in
isolation, Tanintharyi’s coastline is tantalizingly undeveloped – something it has in
common with the region’s infrastructure. From the beaches outside laidback Dawei to
the bustle of Myeik and the idyllic Myeik Archipelago beyond, Myanmar’s Andaman
coastline will one day be a huge draw for beach bums and hotel developers alike. For
now, the region is still waiting for its day in the sun – go now before everyone else
catches on.

Dawei
Although DAWEI is eclipsed by its better-known neighbour, the Myeik Archipelago,
its isolated stretch of coastline is home to some of the region’s best and most 3
accessible beaches. Fishing villages spill right down to the gloriously clear water
around San Hlan, a lone gold pagoda looks out over the Andaman Sea at Shin Maw,
and unlikely-looking sandy tracks lead to gorgeous stretches of sand almost
everywhere. And, save for the fishermen, there’s seldom another person in sight.
There’s very little to distract you from heading to the seaside here, though it makes
a convenient base for trips around the south with plenty of good hotels and decent
transport connections.
The only shadow on the horizon for Dawei is the question of how long its temptingly
undeveloped shoreline will remain intact. The Myanmar government, Thailand and
Japan have started work on a joint project to create the largest industrial zone in the
country – one of the largest in Southeast Asia (see box, p.170) – and the opening of
the Htee Kee–Phu Nam Ron border crossing with Thailand (see box, p.172) has also led
to a surge in tourism. At least for the moment, these developments have had relatively
little impact on the beaches.

Shwe Taung Zar Pagoda
• Daily 5am–10pm • Free
The only real sight within Dawei itself is Shwe Taung Zar Pagoda, the town’s most
important, and slightly zany, Buddhist temple. At the centre of the complex stands the
tapering pagoda, surrounded on all sides by further shrines. In one corner is a small
museum containing an odd collection of old cannons, golf tournament trophies and
various swords and statues.
Maungmagan Beach (16km), Launglon (22km) & Nabule Beach (30km) Airport (3.5km)
DAWEI Shwe Taung Awaryoung 6
EATING
Zar Pagoda
Sakura
Dream Journey
ACCOMMODATION ARZARNI ROAD Ticketing Y E ROA D PAGODA RD Daw San 2 5 Hwy Bus Station (3km) & Railway Station (6km)
Garden Hotel 3 Bus Pale Eikari 3
Sein Shwe Moe 2 Company NI B B A N R D Tavoy Kitchen 1
Shwe Moung Than 4 KBZ Bank Offices Hi-Fi Yar Tha Some Café 4
Zayar Htet San 1 N IBBAN R D BAHOSI RD Focus Rental
ARZARNI ROAD MYOT WIN RD U KYAW YIN RD YE YE I K T H A R D
Dawei AN AUK RD Pick-ups to YE ROAD KYAUNG ST
PALAUKKU
River Maungmagan Clocktower ARZ A RN I ROAD
& Launglon
Ayeyarwady Bank MYEIK RD
N ARZ ARNI R OAD Market Fortune
Express Myeik (260km)
0 200
metres
KALAUNG SWE ST
Dawei Port Railway Station (2km)
138-177_Myanmar_B2_Ch3.indd 169 30/06/17 2:20 pm