Ayeyarwady region is the main crops production region of Myanmar and the capital city of the Ayeyarwady region is Pathein. This region consists of 26 townships, covering a total of 35,964 km2, sharing a border with Rakhine region to the Northwest, Bago region to the North & East, Yangon region to the East and the Bay of Bengal to the South and West. Ayeyarwady is Myanmar’s most populated region with an estimated population of 6.32 million (as of 2011 HMIS data). Ayeyarwady is the region with the greatest percentage of people living in the rural areas (88%) relative to the urban areas (12%). This area was the severely affected by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 and which made more than 66,000 people dead or missing (as of Myanmar's state-controlled news media) after the Cyclone Nargis struck the Ayeyarwady region. Ayeyarwady region’s important economic sections are agriculture and wood products. The major crop of the region is rice and also can cultivate the other crops such as maize, sesame, groundnut, sunflower, beans, pulses and jute. That’s why Ayeyarwady division is called “the granary of Burma”. In addition, fishery is another important economy and can produce fish, dry fish, fish-paste, fish sauce, prawn and dry prawn.

Geography

Ayeyarwady region, also known as the Delta region, is the coastal region between the Bay of Bengal to the West and the Andaman Sea to the South. Ayeyarwady Region is occupying the delta region of the Ayeyarwady River (also known as the Irrawaddy River). It is composed of 6 districts: Pathein, Hin Tha Da, Maubin, Myaung Mya, Phya Pone and Lat Put Tar districts. This region has 39 cities, 273 quarters, 1919 village groups and 11907 villages. There also have the relaxing spots like Ngwe Saung Beach and Chaung Thar Beach which is located at the West side of Ayeyarwady region. Both of those beaches are along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is about 4 hour drive from Yangon and 1 hour drive from Pathein. Chaung Thar Beach is more popular among local visitors and Ngwe Saung Beach is more popular among foreign visitors. Both of those beaches have many hostels, hotels and resorts where you can choose upon your budget. You can access there easily by own car or express buses.

Where to visit?

There is not much sightseeing places in Ayeyawaddy region but you can still visit to these places: 1. Zalun 2. Lay Gyun Marn Aung Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda (also known as Ye-Kyi-U Pagoda) 3. Myat Maw Tin Pagoda (also known as Maw Tin Zun Pagoda) 4. Shwe Mu Htaw Pagoda 5. Chaung Thar Beach 6. Ngwe Saung Beach 7. Go Yan Gyi Island 8. Shwe Thaung Yan

Zalun

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Zalun, a small town in the Ayeyarwady region which belongs to Hin Tha Da district, is about 50 miles from Yangon. A day’s return journey is enough to visit with a ferry crossing from Nyaung Don and situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River. Zalun is one of the holy pilgrimage sites for the Buddhist in Myanmar. The Noble Mahn Aung Myin Buddha is believed to be endowed with extraordinary strength and powers. The Buddha image is enshrined in a large temple with a golden stupa rising from the center of the roof. The image of the four Buddha: Kakusandha, Koṇagamana, Kassapa and Gautama Buddha are positioned at significant points. The pilgrims from all over the country come to worship especially on the weekends. The visitors usually arrive in the morning and leave around the afternoon time.

Chaung Tha Beach

It is located at the western Pathein, on the Bay of the Bengal coast. Since it is the nearest beach from Yangon, most of the local people like to visit there. It is just 154.3 miles west from Yangon and 36.4 miles west from Pathein. You can find the large number of locals on holiday here since it is not far. It is more popular among local visitors because it is more lively and convenience than Ngwe Saung. Chaung Tha is located as the same distance as Ngwe Saung from Yangon and you can travel between those two beaches by motorbike along a coastal track. It is less popular with foreign visitors compared to Ngapali Beach or nearby Ngwe Saung Beach. In addition, it is famous for its fresh seafood and usually attracts the visitors from November until April before the monsoon season starts. https://mingalago.com/interest/chaungtha-beach/

Ngwe Saung Beach

Ngwe Saung is one of the three major beach destinations in Myanmar where each beach occupies a specific niche market. Geographically, the three beaches are also quite different. It is one of the two cheaper and closer destinations which can access by car from Yangon. Ngwe Saung owes its peaceful environment to the length of its beach and hotels are occupying along 8 kilometers of the shore. It is more popular among foreign visitors because it is much quieter and peaceful than Chaung Thar. But you can still enjoy some water activities or boat trip to the famous islands such as Bird Island and Taung Lyar Shay Island. The price of the express bus tickets and hotel prices will be a bit more expensive compared to Chaung Thar.