Mon

Mon is a southern state of Myanmar bordered by the Kayin State in the east and the Andaman Sea in the west. The Bago Region lies to the north of Mon and the southernmost state of Tanintharyi to the extreme south. The state is inhabited by the Mon people, a predominant ethnic group of Myanmar. Mon State enjoys a tropical climate with moderate to hot temperatures throughout the year. The region receives heavy rainfall in July and August. Mawlamyine, the third largest city of Myanmar, is the capital of Mon State. Mon also has an extensive coastline and several untouched beaches.

Travel Guides

1. Transportation:

1.2. How to get there?
  • Mawlamyine is well connected with the rest of the country by bus. The travel from Yangon takes between 6 and 7 hours. Several buses are available throughout the day. Overnight highway buses are also available from Mandalay, the travel being quite comfortable.
  • You can also reach Mawlamyine by train from Yangon and Bago. The journey takes between 7 and 9 hours. You can reach Kyaiktiyo Pagoda by train from Mawlamyine. Tickets for all trains are available 3 days prior to departure.
  • Fancy a boat ride? Mawlamyine is connected to Hpa An by boat, although the journey can be more costly than a bus or train ride. Several operators operate boats in this route.

Places Of Interest

Mon State is blessed with several places of tourist interest. There are several pagodas, out of which the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is the most renowned. The Golden Rock, perched precariously on a cliff, is one of the most respected Buddhist monuments in the country. The world’s largest reclining Buddha is located in Win Sein Taw Ya Pagoda, a must-visit destination for tourists. Apart from this, the Kyaik Paw Law Pagoda and the Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda also deserve a visit. The capital of Mon State, Mawlamyine, was the former capital of the land during British rule and is a bustling city with much to explore. It blends colonial architecture and Buddhism and is an important port of Myanmar at present. The Setse beach is beautiful and ideal to relax and unwind. The historical town of Thaton is another place to visit, especially due to its rich historical background. WIN SEIN TAW YA IS the largest reclining Buddha in the world, and at 30 meters high and 180 meters in length can be seen for miles. Located opposite of the Buddhist shrine of Kyauktalon Taung, the reclining Buddha is filled with rooms that showcase dioramas of the teachings of Buddha and a shrine. When visiting the giant Buddha it should be remembered that despite the odd novelty of walking into a giant head, it is still a place of worship, and shoes should be removed before entering the shrine.

Suggested Itineraries

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