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TravelTips24 : Asia : Southeast Asia : Myanmar : Tanintharyi Division : Mergui

Mergui

Mergui (Myeik) is a city in Tanintharyi Division, Myanmar.

Culture and History

Mergui is the name given by the British to the Southernmost part of Myanmar. The Mergui Archipelago was off-limits to foreigners until 1997; although it is now open for tourism, access is limited and it remains largely unexplored.

Travel to Mergui & Visa Requirements

There is a road north to Dawei, but foreigners are not permitted to use it.

Flights and airtickets to Mergui

Myanma Airways has daily flights, and Air Bagan has 3 flights per week, from Yangon. Myanma Airways flights (typically once a week) to Mawlamyine and Kawthoung may also be available - check locally at the local Myanma Airways office.

Flights may be canceled with little or no advance notice, due to lack of bookings, the weather, or any number of other unpredictable circumstances.

By boat

Fast ferries run daily to/from Kawthoung (~6 hours, US$25 for foreigners) and most days to/from Dawei to the north (~4 hours, US$20 for foreigners).

Five Star Line passenger ships may call here (approximately fortnightly) en route from Kawthoung to Yangon and/or vice-versa. Five Star Line have an office opposite the main piers. Foreigners must pay very high prices (~US$100+) but the first-class 2-berth cabins are quite comfortable.

Tours & Getting around Mergui

On foot, or by motorcycle-taxi or cycle rickshaw.

Longtail boats operate as ferries across the harbour.

Mergui attractions and sightseeing

  • Big reclining Buddha (on the island across the harbour).
  • Lobster farming.
  • Loading of the fishing boats in the harbour.

Mergui city tours

Mergui souvenirs & shopping

Mergui Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

There is a food market by the water front in the evening.

There are numerous small establishments with good food.

Mergui nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Mergui cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

There are several ultra-basic "guesthouses" in the area around the main piers, a few of which accept foreigners. Often, conditions are grim and prices for foreigners are astronomical.

There are a couple of state run hotels.

There is a very comfortable Western-operated (French) hotel a couple of km out of town on the main road heading north-east; prices here are reasonable.

Get out

This page was last edited at 11:34, on 25 October 2007 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by David and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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