Chaung Thar Beach

Chaung Thar Beach is located 40 km to the west of Pathein (Bassein) in Ayeyarwaddy Division. It is about 5 hrs drive from Yangon to Chaung Thar Beach. It is an attractive wide beach with a muddy delta look. Not only coconut palms but also casuarinas trees can be found at the back of the beach. Two small islands can be seen offshore. The crab dishes of Chaung Thar Beach are also delicious and well-known. Fresh coconut juice will make relax here.

There are bungalow type hotels along the beach with modern facilities. Myanmar, owing to its natural environmental diversity is rich in many sites that feature untouched coastal areas, calm and peaceful ocean waters and wide stretches of unpolluted sandy beaches.One beach resort that has gained fame and popularity since the latter half of 1990 is the Chaung Thar (pleasant Stream) Beach Resort. Located some 154 miles from the Capital City of Yangon and only 34 miles from Pathein, Chaung Thar is the nearest ocean resort available to foreign tourists, being easily reached from Yangon in half a day by road.

There are 13 top class hotels in Chaung Thar to cater to their every need. Some of the well-known ones are Max Hotel, Lai Lai Hotel, Ambo Hotel and Khine Chaung Thar. Those who find the atmosphere of cities stifling, the pressures of work stressful and the responsibilities of modern life becoming burdensome, may shed their manifold worries for a while by visiting and enjoying a restful holiday interlude at Chaung Thar.

While listening to the whispering of the wind in the trees and among the palm fronds and to the regular sleep inducing beat of the oceanbreakers as you relax in your rattan chair amidst the balmy breezes you will find yourself visibly relaxing and your cares and tensions slipping away.

Those who wish to engage in play activities on the beach may wish to take a dip in the ocean and ride the ocean waves or take a traditional bullock cart ride along the extensive stretches of the sandy beach.

Others may prefer to stroll along the seashore and visit nearby villages to sample the local cuisine, and buy trinkets and ornaments fashioned from sea shells, cowries, mother of pearl, huge rock-shrimp and crabs, fossilized marine flora and unusual coral formations etc. to take back as souvenirs or presents upon their departure.

On the return journey to the hotel you will be entranced by the magnificent flaming sky that serves as a fitting backdrop to the setting of the blood-red orb as it slowly dips into the blue waters of the Indian ocean.

Also known as the white sand island. About 15 minutes walk to the ferry boat stand from your hotels. 25 mintues engine-boat ride for 1,000 Kyats/person. Life vests are provided to the passengers and tickets are required to buy at the ferry stand. There is a temple on the island. The island is white because of the dumping of the dead seashells to the shore. There are lots of rocky white stones.

There is a temple, a monastery and many coconut trees. You can drink fresh coconut juice for 100 Kyats/coconut.

2 minutes engine-boat ride for 200 Kyats/person. No need to buy tickets. The water is quite shallow. There is a small village on the island selling coconuts and dried fishes. The water is clearer on that side of the island. You can find many red and green crabs running around.

You can take a walk (takes about 3 hours) or ride a bicycle (takes about 2 hours) or ride a motor cycle (takes about 1 hour). The road is bumpy. But the rocky shores are beautiful. There is one temple on top of a big stone.

The newly developed beach. You can rent an engine-boat or a car to get to Ngwe Saung from Chaung Thar.