Mawlamyaing

Mawlamyine (also spelled Mawlamyaing; is the fourth largest city in Myanmar after Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw. situated 300 km south east of Yangon and 70 km south of Thaton. It is a major seaport situated 165 kilometers east of Yangon, across the Gulf of Mottama at the mouth of Thanlwin (Salween) river. The city of 325,927 is the capital and largest city of Mon State, Myanmar and is the main trading center and seaport in south-eastern Burma.

The Mon name for Mawlamyine, means “damaged eye.” It is said to derive from Mot-Mua-Lum, meaning “one eye destroyed”. According to legend, a Mon king had a powerful third eye in the centre of his forehead, able to see what was happening in neighbouring kingdoms. The daughter of one of the neighbouring kings was given in marriage to the three-eyed king and managed to destroy the third eye. The Burmese name “Mawlamyine” is believed to be a corruption of the Mon name.

Mawlamyine is off the main tourist trail for most travelers to Myanmar, but the town does have a charm of its own.  Once known as “Little England”, due to its large Anglo-Burmese community, Mawlamyaing has a rich history. Buildings with colonial style architecture, and its close proximity to the infamous Siam-Burma “death railway”, making it a fascinating place.

Three famous pagodas adorn the Mawlamyine Ridge.