About Thanlyin (Syriam) & Kyauktan, Myanmar

One hour from Yangon, across Myanmar’s longest bridge, lies the town of Thanlyin and the ruins of an 18th century Portuguese church. On an island in the middle of the river is Ye Le Paya Pagoda (literally "the pagoda at the centre of the river") containing pictures of other famous pagodas in different parts of the country. Beyond the town is the pagoda at Kyauktan.


A short bus ride out of town, rising on a hillock to the right of the road, is the large, golden Kyaik-khauk Pagoda. The tombs of two famous Myanmar Poets Laureate - Natshinaung and Padethayaza - stand just before this pagoda.