Mawlamyine getting popular with Japanese
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An increasing number of Japanese have visited Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, and its surrounding areas.
“Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake were the main places to visit before. Now they have got interested in old buildings in Mawlamyine which were built in the 1800s,” tourist guide Tin Nwe Aye said.
Areas near Mawlamyine, such as Beluu and Khaungsay islands, are also attractive due to their old buildings and pipe smoking traditions.
Likewise, Kayin State, with its limestone mountains and hot springs, was also worth a visit given that roads are better than before, Tin Nwe Aye said.
Most Japanese visitors tend to be on business trips rather than on holiday. “Few visitors come for vacation these days since we have few hotels here and flight delays due to protests in Thailand,” a tourist guide said.
Recent economic reforms have meant that tourism in Myanmar is growing well and more tourist destinations are attracting more visitors.
Myanmar expects the number of tourists to top two million by the end of this year as last year brought 1.9 million foreign visitors to the country, according to data from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
