The transportation access to Pathein is now smooth. The Nyaung Don bridge, built across the Ayeyawady River, is quite long. Before the bridge was constructed, people crossed the river by vessels, taking a long time to reach the other side. Now, it only takes five minutes. After passing through the bridge, we took a short rest at Pan Ayeya restaurant.

Pathein was a Mon dialect, which means "the other bank where monasteries and ordination halls are situated". The Pathein umbrella is very famous. As you arrive in Pathein, you will see the town's signboard decorated with umbrella statuettes to welcome the visitors.

We also paid homage to the Yay Kyi Oo pagoda, one of the most prominent pagodas in Pathein. The history of Yay Kyi Oo pagoda dates back to King Alaung Sithu of the Bagan Dynasty.

The pagoda you are seeing now is the Phaung Taw oo pagoda. The nearly 13ft high pagoda was built by King Alaung Sithu while traveling around his Kingdom.

The King also enshrined a Buddha Image in the pagoda that was carried on his barge. The Yay Kyi Oo pagoda was rebuilt, adorned with handiworks from the Bagan era as well as the Phaung Taw Oo pagoda in its premises.

During the reign of Governor Ba Nya Ain in 1485 AD, two man-made lakes were dug in the pagoda's compound. The water in one of the lakes was clean, but the other one was muddy. That's why they were called Yay Kyi Kan or Clean Lake and Yan Nauk Kan or Muddy Lake. The locals at that time said that the water of the two lakes changed depending on significant events.

In the reign of King Nara Pati Sithu of Bagan Dynasty, the venerable Arahat Ashin Sappata built this Ordination Hall as the replica of Kalyar Ni Ordination Hall from Thiho. The Venerable Arahat called this religious building as the water Ordination Hall by digging the lake around it. We also fed the fish in the lake at the Sappata Ordination Hall.

The Aye Nyein Chan Tha Su Taung Pyaye Myat Shin is a bronze Buddha Image and was donated by Thailand. The Buddha Image is endowed with three great characteristics of being miraculous, valuable and tall.

We also paid homage to the pagodas that are included in the nine Mote Htaw Pagodas. In the 239 Buddhist Eras, King Thiri Dhama Thawka sent arahats to nine regions and nine places to build pagodas enshrined with Buddha's Relics. When they arrived Pathein, they built the Maha Bawdi and Ta Gaung Mingalar Pagodas at the places where the would-be Buddha lived when he was in the life of King Deer and King Squirrel.

Thi Ho Shin Phone Taw Pyaye Buddha Image is one of the most signifies ones in the Shwe Mote Htaw Pagoda. It is one among the four Buddha Images that was released to the waters by King Thiri Parat Ka Bar Hu, the 6th King of Thi Ho Island in 1418 AD. The Buddha Image is kept at the Thi Ho Shin prayer hall near the southern arch.

You can pay homage to the standing Sanda Muni Su Taung Pyaye Buddha Image at the repository near the south corner. It is made of Ka Thit Net wood and was donated by King Alaung Sithu. You can view the auspicious ground or the victory ground on the pagoda platform.

Pathein Halawa or sweet meat is a famous local snack that you definitely must try when you visit. It is a traditional Myanma snack, made of glutinous rice, coconut, sugar and other delicious ingredients. In the Myanma social society, people usually ask each other "Where are you going?" whenever they meet someone on the way. And if someone came from Pathein "Did you buy Pathein Halawa?" is always the question that follows.

Look at the umbrellas! Pathein is well-known for them. It is a Myanma handiwork, made of local products. The production of a parasol with colourful designs is very interesting. I can't decide which colour to choose from the scene of umbrellas.

We also paid homage to the Myat Dipa Yone pagoda in Pathein. We can go there via the Ngwe Hsaung section along the Pathein-Maw Tin road. We can see many pagodas from a distance as well as the scenic beauty from the pagoda platform.

In the past, people could only go there by the waterway. If one wanted to pay homage to the pagoda, he had to go to the Shwe Dwin Tuu village from Pathein by motorized boats. Now, it only takes an hour to get there due to the smooth roads.

There, you can see caves where monks and devotees meditate in.

We went to the Kyauk O pagoda along the forest after descending from the Di Pa Yone hill. This pagoda is built on a naturally-formed rock. If you pay a visit to Pathein, you can also homage to the Myat Depa Yone Pagoda.

The Ngawun River encircles the town. There are many pagodas for one to pay homage to, several places to visit and a wide variety of local products for souvenirs that would remind you of this pleasant and peaceful town. This journey will always stay with me, while I enjoy the night scene and the hustling and bustling night market of Pathein.

Pathein is a developing town that has an easy transportation access.