Pathein Myanmar – Top Picks for Attractions and Things to Do

You won’t find a huge number of attractions in Pathein and this is more of a place to break your journey before heading to other areas of Myanmar. That said, you can still enjoy a few days in Pathein or an overnight trip here and there are some pretty buildings in town to have a look at as well as the chance to do some shopping for the famous local handicrafts here.

Pathein is known for its pretty parasols, so if you are passing through make sure not to miss visiting an umbrella shop to see how these exquisite creations are made.

Shwemokhtaw Paya

The number one attraction in Pathein is the Shwemokhtaw Paya which is a Buddhist temple that is said to date from the time of King Asoka of India in around 305 BC. It was upgraded in 111 AD under King Alaungsithu who added a stupa to the structure and then changed again in 1263 AD when King Samodogossa raised it to a new height of 40 meters.

Nowadays the stupa is some 46 meters tall and the top part of the structure is made out of an impressive 6 kilos of gold. The middle of the stupa is made from silver and the final lower tier is made of bronze and inlaid with 829 diamonds, 843 rubies, and some 1588 other precious stones. As such it is quite a sight to behold and definitely the jewel in the crown of attractions in Pathein.

Umbrella Workshops

Pathein is known for its umbrella workshops which have been in operation in the town for over 200 years. The umbrellas are made in the traditional style from paper and are then painted by hand. Considering how labour intensive they are to make and how ornate the craftsmanship, they only cost a few dollars to buy and make great souvenirs and gifts.

Most of the workshops are located in town and you can walk around and watch the craftsmen and women at work. One of the most famous umbrella workshops is called Shwe Sar on Tawyakyaung Road.

The Villages

Another popular pastime in Pathein is touring the neighbouring area and enjoying some of the small rustic villages dotted around the town. These make a great place to explore for the day and you will find villages bisected by scenic rivers and surrounded by majestic wetlands.

The best way to get out to the surrounding villages is to rent a motorbike or bicycle and drive yourself or hire a motorbike taxi with a driver.

Make sure to check that it is possible to travel outside Pathein if you are visiting in the wet season as some of the wetlands around the villages may be flooded.

Markets

The central hub of Pathein is definitely its main market which is called Myoma Market. Here you will find the best produce in town and although it is not very large it is still a great place to come to see the kinds of fruits and vegetables on offer in Myanmar and you can also pick up some local fried snacks and other treats.

Once you have visited the market you can walk down to the riverfront which has a separate night market that gets going once the sun starts to set and sells barbecued food and other delights.

One of the best ways to enjoy Pathein is to walk along the waterfront promenade in the evening and sample some of the street food, and you can also sit down at a simple table with a few chairs and take in the views across the water as you eat. This is also one of the cheapest spots in town if you are on a budget and looking for some bargain bites.