Dawei

Dawei (Tavoy) is the capital of Tanintharyi Division, in Southeastern Myanmar.

Understand
Dawei is a port town at the head of the river estuary of the same name. Prone to flooding during monsoon, the name Dawei is also the name of one of the local ethnic minority.

Get in
There is a road north to Mawlamyine and south to Myeik, Bokepyin and Kawthoung, which foreigners can now use.

By plane
Myanmar National Airlines has daily flights from Yangon. Weekly flights to Mawlamyine, Myeik, Bokepyin and Kawthoung may also be available.

Flights may be cancelled with little or no advance notice, due to lack of bookings, the weather, or any number of other unpredictable circumstances. Not much to see from the plane due to air pollution. Skies are clear after rainy season, in Oct-Nov.

By bus
Buses are run to/from Mawlamyine, Myeik, (6-8 hr, 12,000 kyat) Bokepyin (via Myeik), Kawthoung (via Myeik; ~20 hr) and Ye (leaves Ye at 07:00 and 09:00).

By train
From Ye there is a train leaving at 10:30 (~12 hr, Ordinary class 1,300 kyat, Upper Class 3,750 kyat).

See

 * Shin Motehti Pagoda, a few kilometres south of town.
 * Shin Datweh Pagoda, in the north.
 * Shin Maw Pagoda, on the Dawei promontory.
 * Lawka Tharaphu Pagoda. Houses a 75 m long reclining Buddha image.






 * Paradise Beach. One of the most pristine beaches with licensed simple accommodation and a restaurant catering for there guests. Access only 15 min by motorbike or 45 min jungle walk.
 * Paradise Beach. One of the most pristine beaches with licensed simple accommodation and a restaurant catering for there guests. Access only 15 min by motorbike or 45 min jungle walk.

Buy

 * Longyi (a sarong) is a famous local product.
 * Cashew nuts and betel nuts are grown for export as well as a variety of tropical fruits including durian ("the King of Fruits").
 * Zin thi (in local language) a fruit found only in Dawei and surrounding areas. It is sweet and slightly sour.
 * Local banks have ATMs that accept Visa and MasterCard withdrawals.

Drink
There are lots of restaurants. Myanmar Beer is good, 1,800 kyat for a bottle. There are also fresh fruit juices (such as banana, papaya, pineapple, mango, etc.).

Sleep

 * Sin Htauk Beach.jpg
 * Myanmar Paradise Beach Bungalows on Zat Sar Aw Beach or easier Paradise Beach now. Located 2 hr south of Dawei. You can arrive by minibus and there will be a motortaxi taking you to the beach. Also you can drive yourself to Paradise by motorbike. High Season (1 Nov-30 April) Single 32,000 kyat, Double 42,000 kyat including breakfast. Low season cheaper.
 * Sin Htauk Beach.jpg
 * Myanmar Paradise Beach Bungalows on Zat Sar Aw Beach or easier Paradise Beach now. Located 2 hr south of Dawei. You can arrive by minibus and there will be a motortaxi taking you to the beach. Also you can drive yourself to Paradise by motorbike. High Season (1 Nov-30 April) Single 32,000 kyat, Double 42,000 kyat including breakfast. Low season cheaper.
 * Myanmar Paradise Beach Bungalows on Zat Sar Aw Beach or easier Paradise Beach now. Located 2 hr south of Dawei. You can arrive by minibus and there will be a motortaxi taking you to the beach. Also you can drive yourself to Paradise by motorbike. High Season (1 Nov-30 April) Single 32,000 kyat, Double 42,000 kyat including breakfast. Low season cheaper.



Go next
From Dawei, you can travel by bus or van to most cities. Van travel is not recommended unless there are no other options. Buses leave from the station located approximately 4 km outside of the city.


 * The closest city to Dawei is Yebyu.
 * Myeik
 * Hpa-an
 * Bokepyin
 * Mawlamyine
 * Kawthoung (via Myeik)
 * Ye
 * Yangon – The standard bus leaves at 17:00 and costs 15,500 kyat. The VIP bus leaves at 18:00 and costs 25,500 kyat.