Mawlamyine

Mawlamyine, Myanmar's third-largest city, sits along the Thanlwin River on the country's southeastern coast. Formerly known as Moulmein during British colonial times, this city served as Burma's first colonial capital before Yangon. The remnants of this colonial past can still be seen in the architecture scattered throughout the town.

What makes Mawlamyine special is its laid-back atmosphere compared to Myanmar's more hectic cities. The waterfront area offers spectacular views, especially at sunset when the golden light hits the surrounding hills dotted with pagodas. Speaking of pagodas, Kyaikthanlan Pagoda stands tall on a ridge overlooking the city, offering panoramic views that allegedly inspired Rudyard Kipling's famous poem "The Road to Mandalay."

The nearby Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery and the Death Railway Museum connect Mawlamyine to the sobering history of World War II. The city also has fascinating markets where locals sell everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Mon culture thrives here, giving visitors a chance to experience a different side of Myanmar's diverse cultural landscape.

Mawlamyine presents a Myanmar that feels less touched by tourism, where daily life unfolds at a gentler pace along streets lined with tropical trees and colonial buildings slowly being reclaimed by nature.