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The atmosphere of post-colonial decay is more palpable here than in
fast-developing Yangon or Mandalay; it's also an attractive, leafy,
tropical town with a ridge of stupa-capped hills on one side and the
sea on the other. George Orwell (author of Burmese Days) was stationed
here for a time in the 1920s during his service with the Indian Imperial
Police.
Mawlamyine served as capital of British Burma from 1827 to 1852, during
which coastal shipping still goes on, although Pathein and Yangon have
superseded it as Myanmar's most important ports. Today it's Myanmar's
fourth largest city with a population of around 350000 people, composed
roughly of 75% Mon or some mixture of Mon, plus Kayin, Myanmar, Indian,
Chinese and other ethnicities.
The city's main north-south thoroughfares begin with North Bogyoke Street,
which runs east-west from the vehicle ferry landing at the northern
end of Mawlamyine and links with Upper Main Road in the centre of town.
Upper Main Road continues south past several government buildings to
the main bus station at the southern end of town, then connect with
the highway southward to Ye. Along the western side of town, South Bogyoke
Street (Lower Main Road) connects through the market and commercial
districts. Another block west, Strand Road hugs the Waterfront and offers
access to various local and long-distance passenger ferry jetties. From
Strand Road, Kyaik-Than Lan runs from west to east and terminates at
Kyaikthanlan Pagoda.
The main west-east avenue is Dawei Jetty Road, which leads from the
Dawei jetty, on the coast cross town, to the southern end of the ridge,
where most of the city's famous temples and shrines are located. On
the eastern side of the ridge stand several grand colonial-era mansions
that have been converted to government offices.
Of historic interest is the sturdy brick First Baptist Church, also
known as the Judson Church, on the corner of Upper Main Road and Dawei
Jetty Road. Founded by the American missionary, Adoniram Judson, this
was Myanmar’s first Baptist church.
Taungwaing Road cuts diagonally from near the bus station south-east
to the airport and mawlamyine University, terminating near Taungwaing
Pagoda.
Interesting Places in Mawlamyine and around: Kyaikthanlan
Pagoda, Mon Cultural Museum, Seindon Mibaya Kyaung, Aung Theikdi
pagoda, Biggest Reclining Buddha Image at Win Sein Monastery,
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Kyaikmaraw pagoda, Kyaikkhami pagoda at
sea side
 
 
 
 
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