CHAUNG ZON, Mon State — Crafting smoking pipes in Burma has never been a big business, although it has endured through generations. Now the dwindling cottage industry relies on a handful of people in Ywalut village of Chaungzon Township to keep it alive. As part of Mon State’s Belu Islands, Ywalut is a tourist attraction for its handcrafted pipes and wooden walking sticks, while its neighbor, Mudoon, has made itself a name for producing writing slates (known in Burmese as kyauk thin bone). A 10-minute ferry trip from Moulmein (Mawlamyine), the capital of Mon State, Chaungzon Township is a collection of more than 70 villages, with a population of 120,000. There aren’t any cars on Mon State’s Bilu Kyun Island. Locals get around in horse-drawn carts, motorbikes, tuk-tuks or the occasional bus. In fact, until very recently, it was the Bronze Age invention, the horse-drawn vehicle, that was the most common form of transportation for the island’s inhabitants. Research Interests: Myanmar, Crafting smoking pipes in Burma, Mon State’s Belu Islands, and Special Walking Stick and Wooden Cottage Industry,

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Specials
The Last Pipe-Makers of Belu Island

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By NYEIN NYEIN 24 March 2017
CHAUNG ZON, Mon State — Crafting smoking pipes in Burma has never been a big
business, although it has endured through generations. Now the dwindling cottage
industry relies on a handful of people in Ywalut village of Chaungzon Township to keep
it alive.
As part of Mon State’s Belu Islands, Ywalut is a tourist attraction for its handcrafted
pipes and wooden walking sticks, while its neighbor, Mudoon, has made itself a name
for producing writing slates (known in Burmese as kyauk thin bone).
A 10-minute ferry trip from Moulmein (Mawlamyine), the capital of Mon State,
Chaungzon Township is a collection of more than 70 villages, with a population of
120,000.
View gallery
Standing in the middle of Ywalut is a three-meter high ‘Made in Ywalut’ pipe, flanked by
three Brahminy Ducks, a cultural symbol for ethnic Mon people. Craftsman Mann Ngwe
Win, who has a rich heritage of pipe making, created the sculpture in 2014.
He has been making pipes for four and a half decades, inheriting the business, the 555
Special Walking Stick and Wooden Cottage Industry, from his father and working from
his own two-story home.
 Craftsman Mann Ngwe Win smokes a 10-headed ogre pipe. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy


A three-meter high ‘Made in
Ywalut’ pipe flanked by
three Brahminy Ducks
stands in the middle of
Ywalut is a (Photo: Nyein
Nyein / The Irrawaddy)

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The 60-year-old proudly reflects on the legacy of his grandfather, U Nyunt, the first
person in the area to make wooden pipes. Working during the colonial era, U Nyunt’s
innovative approach to the craft earned him an award in Moulmein, says his grandson.
Mann Ngwe Win’s pipes are getting noticed for their quality and distinctive carvings;
depicting portraits of former US President Barack Obama, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
to name a few, as well as the legendary ten-headed ogre pipe.
Intricate portraits take at least two days to complete, the old man explains, while a
simple pipe could be finished within hours.
“But it takes 10 days to finish a ten-headed ogre pipe,” he says, showing how to smoke
it. “This is my tenth one. I only start making a new one once I’ve sold the last.”
Meghan Menchhofer, an educator and immigration activist from the US state of Indiana,
who was visiting Mon State with Moulmein-Fort Wayne Sister City International,
examined some carvings in the workshop.
“We like to shop locally and meet the local community,” she says. “We found out this is
one of the local factories, so we came here to support the business and see what type
of things they make – it’s beautiful here.”
The pipes are made from quality ironwood, ideally from the kino (gum) tree or teak,
which is transported from central Burma towns such as Pyinmana.
A few families in Ywalut still make pipes and sell them at national markets, mainly west
in Arakan State or south in Dawei. Some entrepreneurial spirits produce simple pipes,
lower quality than the carved pipes but easier and quicker to make if the orders are
there.
The pipe-making business slumped in the late 20th century because of a lack of raw
materials, says Mann Ngwe Win, and many families moved to Pegu and other areas or
migrated to neighboring countries like Thailand in search of work.
“Even though the logo ‘Made in Ywalut’ is well known, very few people work in this
industry anymore,” he says. “Especially compared to the past.”
Lamenting that these cottage industries never received strong support from the
government, Mann Ngwe Win adds, “We’re all on our own.”
But this has not finished Ywalut’s pipe makers. His eldest son, Aung San Oo, helps him
to make pipes and walking sticks.
“I learned how to make those pipes in my childhood,” says Aung San Oo, while carving.
“I’ve always been interested in it, and picked it up after school.”

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He says a simple pipe will take at least three hours to finish. Walking sticks in the
workshop are just as beautiful as the pipes and can be ordered, as can wooden
scabbards, too.
Topics: Arts, Culture, Heritage, Mon State
Nyein Nyein
The Irrawaddy
Nyein Nyein is Senior Reporter at the English edition of
The Irrawaddy.
News
Health Ministry: One in Five Women
Experience Domestic Violence
By HTET NAING ZAW 23 March 2017
NAYPYIDAW — One in five women in Burma have experienced domestic violence,
according to the first Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) 2015-16
conducted by Burma’s Ministry of Health and Sports.
 The Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey launched in Naypyidaw. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

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Mon State မွန် ပြည် နယ်
State
Myanma transcription(s)
• Burmese mwan pranynai
Flag
Location of Mon State in Myanmar
Country Myanmar
Region South
Capital Mawlamyaing (Mon: Matmalom)
Government
• Chief Aye Zan (NLD)
Mon State
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mon State (Burmese: မွန်ပြည် နယ် ,
pronounced: [mʊ̀ɴ pjìnɛ̀]; Mon: တွဵ
ရးဍ ၚ်မန်၊ ရးမညေဒသ) is an
administrative division of
Myanmar. It lies between Kayin
State to the east, the Andaman
Sea to the west, Bago Region to
the north and Tanintharyi Region
to the south, also having a short
border with Thailand's
Kanchanaburi Province at its
south­eastern tip. The land area is
12,155 km2. The Dawna Range,
running along the eastern side of
the state in a NNW–SSE direction,
forms a natural border with Kayin
State. Mon State includes some
small islands, such as Kalegauk,
Wa Kyun and Kyungyi Island,
along its 566 km of coastline. The
state's capital is Mawlamyaing.
Contents
1 History
1.1 Mon kingdoms
(6th­11th/13th­
16th/18th
centuries)

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• Chief
Minister
Aye Zan (NLD)
• Cabinet Mon State Government
• Legislature Mon State Hluttaw
Area
• Total 12,296.6 km2 (4,747.7 sq mi)
Area rank 12th
Population (2014 Census)[1]
• Total 2,054,393
• Rank 9th
• Density 170/km2 (430/sq mi)
Demographics
• Ethnicities Mon, Bamar, Anglo­Burmese,
Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Rakhine,
Shan, Burmese­Thai
• Religions Buddhism, Christianity
Time zone MST (UTC+06:30)
Website www.monstate.gov.mm (http://
www.monstate.gov.mm)
1.2 Advent of the
British
1.3 Burmese
independence
2 Government
2.1 Executive
2.2 Legislative
2.3 Judiciary
3 Demographics and
geography
3.1 Climate and
weather
4 Economy
5 Transport
6 Administrative divisions
6.1 Cities and towns
and villages
7 Education
8 Health care
9 Notable sites
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
History
Humans lived in the region that is now Myanmar as early as 11,000 years ago, but
the first identifiable civilisation is that of the Mon. The Mon probably began
migrating into the area eastward from eastern India in the period from 3000 BC to
1500 BC and settled in the Chao Phraya River basin of southern Thailand around
the 6th century AD. The Mon moved westward into the Irrawaddy Delta of

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the 6th century AD. The Mon moved westward into the Irrawaddy Delta of
southern Myanmar in the ensuing centuries. Mon tradition holds that the
Suwarnabhumi mentioned in the Edicts of Ashoka and the Dîpavamsa was their
first kingdom (pronounced Suvanna Bhoum), founded around the port of Thaton in
about 300 BC, however, this is disputed by scholars.
Oral tradition suggests that they had contact with Buddhism via seafaring as early
as the 3rd century BCE, though definitely by the 2nd century BCE when they
received an envoy of monks from Ashoka. The Mon converted to Theravada
Buddhism sometime before the sixth century,[2] and they adopted the Indian Pali
script. Much of the Mon's written records have been destroyed through wars. The
Mons blended Indian and Mon cultures in a hybrid of the civilisations. By 825 they
had firmly established themselves in southern and southeastern Myanmar and
founded the cities of Bago (Pegu) and Thaton. By the mid­9th century, they had
come to dominate all of southern Myanmar.
Mon kingdoms (6th­11th/13th­16th/18th centuries)
The first recorded kingdom that can undisputedly be attributed to the Mon was
Dvaravati which prospered until around 1024 AD when their capital was sacked by
the Khmer Empire and most of the inhabitants fled west to present­day Burma and
eventually founded new kingdoms. These, too, eventually came under pressure
from new ethnic groups arriving from the north.
Advent of the British
Lower Burma, including what is now Mon State, was conquered by Great Britain in
1824 after the First Anglo­Burmese War. The Mon assisted the British in the war, in
return for promises of their own leadership after the defeat of Burma. Hundreds of
thousands of Mons who had migrated into Siam returned to their homeland when it
came under British rule. However, British promises to restore the Mon Kingdom
were never fulfilled. During colonial times, Moulmein had a substantial Anglo­
Burmese population; an area of the city was known as 'Little England' due to the
large Anglo­Burmese community. Nowadays this community has dwindled to a
handful of families as most have left for the UK or Australia.
Burmese independence
In 1947, the Mon sought self­determination from the yet unformed Union of

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Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1973 1,314,224 —
In 1947, the Mon sought self­determination from the yet unformed Union of
Burma. Burmese Prime Minister U Nu refused, saying that no separate national
rights for the Mon should be contemplated. The Burmese army moved into areas
claimed by the Mon nationalists and imposed rule by force which resulted in a civil
war. Mon separatists formed the Mon Peoples Front, which was later superseded
by the New Mon State Party (NMSP) in 1962. Since 1949, the eastern hills of the
state (as well as portions of Thaninthaya Division) have been under control of the
NMSP and its military arm, the Mon National Liberation Front (MNLF). In addition to
fighting the central government, the MNLF has fought the Karen people over
control of lucrative border crossings into Thailand.
In 1974, partially to assuage Mon separatist demands, the theoretically
autonomous Mon State was created out of portions of Thaninthayi Division and
Bago Division. Resistance continued until 1995, when NMSP and SLORC agreed a
cease­fire. In 1996, the Mon Unity League was founded. SLORC troops continued
to operate in defiance of the agreement. The human rights situation in Mon State
has not improved. International organizations have repeatedly accused the
Myanmar government for massive human rights violations in Mon State, including
forced labor, arbitrary detention, population transfer, property confiscation, and
rape.
Government
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Demographics and geography
The population was 2,054,393 according to
2014 Census. The majority are Mon. However,
there is a large number of ethnic Bamar, as
well as members of the Kayin and Pa­O ethnic
groups and a small, dwindling Anglo­Burmese
community. Many are isolated and many do

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1983 1,680,157 +27.8%
2014 2,054,393 +22.3%
Source: 2014 Myanmar Census[1]
Limestone landscape near
Mudon, south of Mawlamyaing.
community. Many are isolated and many do
not understand or speak Burmese. There is a
Thai Community in Kyaikkami. The majority of
people are Buddhist.
Bordering Bago Division in the south of
Sittaung River Mouth, Kayin State in the east,
Thailand and Taninthayi Division in the south and
Andaman Sea and Gulf of Mottama in the West,
Mon state is situated between latitudes 14°52'
north and 17°32 ' north and east longitudes 96°
51' east and 98° 13' east.
Climate and weather
Mon State has a tropical climate. It has temperate
weather as it is located in the low latitude zone and near the sea. The state has
only slight changes in temperature. The average temperature of Mawlamyine in
January is 78 °F (25.6 °C) and in April is 85 °F (29.4 °C). Annual rainfall in
Mawlamyine is 190 inches (4.8 m) and in Thaton is 217 inches (5.5 m). Rain is
especially heavy in July and August.
Economy
Mon State has a cultivated area of nearly 4.5 million acres (18,000 km²), mostly
under rice. The major secondary crop is rubber. Orchards and rubber plantations
are found in the mountainous areas while Coastal fishing and related industries
such as production of dried fish, fish sauce and agar­agar are in southern part, Ye
district. Production of Betel nut is also a sustaining business of Mon state, as the
Mon peasants preserved their heredity land onwards along with the government
regulations, however, there are some many parts of uncultivated crude land in the
area closed to neighbour Karen state. Moreover, modern business development
includes growing of cashew trees (acajoύ, in Portuguese), from which they collect
the cashew nut for market elsewhere.
Other industries include paper, sugar, rubber tires. Thaton has a major factory
(Burmese, Ka­Sa­La) of rubber products run by Ministry of Industry (1). Forests
cover approximately half of the area and timber production is one of the major
contributors to the economy. Minerals extracted from the area include salt,
antimony, and granite. Natural resources such as

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Mawlamyine Bridge looks un­
modernized, but it's the
longest bridge of Myanmar
that serves the flow of the
north­south economy.
antimony, and granite. Natural resources such as
forest products, and onshore and offshore mineral
resources, are exploited only by top Myanmar
military leaders and foreign companies. At the
present time one of the biggest foreign investments
into Myanmar is for the exploitation of natural gas
reserves in Mon State. The Yadana Gas project
which connected pipelines alongside the towns of
Mon state made harassed danger to the native Mon
land and Mon people.
In Mudon, a city near Mawlamyaing, there is an applied research center for
agricultural science with laboratory bases in rubber plantation and fertilization of
some other species.
In the past during the socialist regime, the trading of Mon state was exceptional
because the Mon business persons had deals with the foreign enterprises from
Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Imports and exports of goods from and to that
countries were made via seaports of Mawlamyaing, Ye and Thanbyuzayat district.
Although it seemed to be unofficial trading in the past, it absolutely developed Mon
State if compared to the decline economy of the current situation.
The future plans with tourism will benefit Mon state a lot as it has excellent
transportation with the capital Rangoon. Transportation routes include Train, Bus,
Sea line and Airlines. The newly opened Mawlamyaing Bridge gives quick access
from southern Ye to North Bago and Rangoon by a day journey. Three Pagoda
Pass is an alternative route which communicates Mon state with neighbour
Kanchanaburi province of Thailand.
Transport
Ye Airport
Administrative divisions
Mon state has a capital of Mawlamyaing, the third largest city in Myanmar. It was
formerly known as Moulmein under the British colonial rule till the late 1980s.
Administrative body is set under South Eastern Regional Command of Myanmar
Army in Mawlamyine and Mawyawaddy Navy Command controls coastline security.

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Army in Mawlamyine and Mawyawaddy Navy Command controls coastline security.
There are dispersed army infantry battalions at many towns in Mon state, and
Thaton has a Light Infantry Division (44th). Major districts are divided for example,
Mawlamyaing, Thaton, and Ye districts. At present, army infantries are densely
placed in the former neutral territory of Ye district for future plans. Ye has become
the major city for Southern Mon State with Sector Operation Command of Air
Defense, and Military Operations Command 19 based headquarters.
Mon State consists of two districts:
Mawlamyine District
Thaton District
Cities and towns and villages
Cities with large district Towns Villages
Mawlamyaing Mudon Kawt­bane
Thaton Paung Kamawak
Thanbyuzayat Belin Pha­auk
Ye Mottama Pa­nga
Kyaikmaraw Kyaik­kami Jain­gyike
Kyaikhto Sit­taung Thein­sake
Bakwai Lamine Mawkanin
Chaungzon Kamarwatt Ywar Lut
Islands
Belu­kyun
Kalar­goke island
Education
Educational opportunities in Myanmar are extremely limited outside the main cities

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Educational opportunities in Myanmar are extremely limited outside the main cities
of Yangon and Mandalay. The following is a summary of the public school system
in the state in the academic year 2002­2003.[3]
AY 2002­
2003 Primary Middle High
Schools 1210 87 56
Teachers 6200 3200 900
Students 222,000 81,000 26,000
All institutions of higher education in the state are located in Mawlamyaing.
Mawlamyaing University is the main university in the state.
Health care
The general state of health care in Myanmar is poor. The military government
spends anywhere from 0.5% to 3% of the country's GDP on health care,
consistently ranking among the lowest in the world.[4][5] Although health care is
nominally free, in reality, patients have to pay for medicine and treatment, even in
public clinics and hospitals. Public hospitals lack many of the basic facilities and
equipment. The following is a summary of the public health system in the state, in
the fiscal year 2002­2003.[6]
2002–2003 # Hospitals # Beds
Specialist hospitals ­ ­
General hospitals with specialist
services
1 350
General hospitals 10 341
Health clinics 14 224
Total 25 915
Even by the low standards of Myanmar, the available health services in Mon State

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Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is at
3,615 ft (1,102 m) high
Even by the low standards of Myanmar, the available health services in Mon State
are shockingly low. A state of 2.5 million people has less than 1000 hospital beds.
Notable sites
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (or) kyaik­isi­yo pagoda ­ A
famous religious site with a steeple built on a rock
covered with gold leaf, precariously balanced on the
site of a cliff. Legend says that Buddha's hair was
placed inside the pagoda, and its power keeps the
rock from falling.
Thaton ­ the former capital of an ancient Mon
kingdom, much earlier than Bagan.
Thanbyuzayat War Memorial ­ death railway
connected with the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Satse and Kyaik­Kami 18 miles (29 km) from
Thanbyuzayati is a popular beach resort in
Myanmar.
Belu­kyun (Belu island) opposite to Mawlamyaing is rich in chemical resources
as well as traditional handmake products business.
Mudon Kan Gyi Pagoda and Kangyi Pagoda lies on the hill west of the vast lake
east of Mudon. It was built to enshrine a Buddha's hair relic granted by Buddha as
he and five hundred arahantas were going on sojourn this way on completion of
eight vasas to a hermit named (Min) Maung staying there. The original was built
into a higher one 40 cubits high by town mayor of Zaya.
See also
Mon State Cultural Museum
Ramannadesa
Mon Desa

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References
1. Census Report. The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census. 2. Naypyitaw:
Ministry of Immigration and Population. May 2015. p. 17.
2. Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16847/1
6847­h/16847­h.htm), Vol. 3 by Sir Charles Eliot
3. "Education statistics by level and by State and Division". Myanmar Central Statistical
Organization. Retrieved 2009­04­10.
4. "PPI: Almost Half of All World Health Spending is in the United States". 2007­01­17.
5. Yasmin Anwar (2007­06­28). 06.28.2007 "Burma junta faulted for rampant diseases"
Check |url= value (help). UC Berkeley News.
6. "Hospitals and Dispensaries by State and Division". Myanmar Central Statistical
Organization. Retrieved 2009­04­11.
External links
Kaowao News Group (http://www.kaowao.org/News.81.php?#6)
Mawlamyaing culture (http://www.mawlamyine.com)
Monzel.be (http://www.monzel.be) (in Burmese)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Mon_State&oldid=768522254"
Categories: Mon State States of Myanmar 1974 establishments in Burma
States and territories established in 1974 Andaman Sea
This page was last modified on 4 March 2017, at 09:00.
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and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
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15. 3/25/2017 Bilu Island ­ Wikipedia
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Bilu Island ဘီလူးကျွန်း
Island of Mon State
Location of Bilu Island
Coordinates: 16.369383°N 97.517714°E
Country Myanmar
Region Mon State
District Mawlamyine District
Township Chaungzon Township
Time
zone
Myanmar Standard Time
(UTC+6:30)
Bilu Island
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bilu Island (Burmese: ဘီလူးကျွန်း;
Bilu Kyun, lit. "ogre island") is an
island in Chaungzon Township,
Mon State, located west of
Mawlamyine.[1] The island is
roughly the size of Singapore, and
inhabited by 200,000 people.[1][2]
On 8 February 2015, the Mon
State government began a
construction project to build a
1,586 metres (5,203 ft) bridge,
the Bilu Island­Thanlwin Bridge, to
connect Mawlamyine's Mupun
jetty to Bilu Island's Ka­nyaw
village, the first to be
constructed.[3][4] The project,
which is estimated to cost
US$60 million, will be constructed
by a Japan­Burma joint venture.[4]
Bilu Island is not connected to the
national electricity grid.[4] The
people in this island depend on
some interesting home industries
such as black boards for schools,
rubber bands, cane products,
wooden pipes, pencils, pens and
tobacco.
References
Bilu Island is located in
Myanmar
Bilu Island

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1. "Introducing Bilu Kyun". Lonely
Planet. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
2. Danmark, Maria (25 March 2013). "Bilu Kyun Island in Mon State: a transport time
warp". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
3. "ဘီလူးကျွန်း­သံလွင် တံတား ပန္နက် ရိုက် အခမ်းအနားပြုလုပ်". လွတ် လပ်သော မွန်သတင်းအေဂျင်စီ
(in Burmese). 9 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
4. Naw Say Phaw Waa (16 February 2015). "Ministers break ground on new Mawlamyine
bridge". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Bilu_Island&oldid=770119312"
Categories: Islands of Myanmar Populated places in Mon State
Myanmar geography stubs
This page was last modified on 13 March 2017, at 15:01.
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additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use
and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
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Bilu Island
If you’re “Lookin’ lazy at the sea” from Mawlamyine, then you’re
looking at the point where the mighty Than Lwin merges into the
island­studded Gulf of Martaban. The large, relatively flat island
you see directly opposite and west of town is picturesque and
fascinating Bilu Kyun (Bilu Island).
Bilu Island is known locally as Ogre Island; we heard several stories behind the name, with our
favourite coming from an islander who reckoned that in ancient times locals were notorious for being
particularly ugly. They liked to file their teeth to points and preferred to eat their meat raw, so became
known to mainlanders as ogres…
On the boat. Photo: Mark Ord
These days the island is famous for its well­preserved and distinctive Mon culture. We found the
residents charming and perfectly normal looking. Bilu is large, with more than 60 villages on the
island. Rice paddies and rubber plantations provide a living for many and the locals also maintain a

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remarkable range of traditional cottage industries. The boat trip there is worth doing on its own; the
scenery is bucolic and people extremely friendly. Visits to the local handicraft displays can provide a
handy framework to your visit.
Too large to do on foot, your best bet is to sort out one of the local motorbike taxis, tuk tuks or, if
you’re a larger group, hire one of the trucks that wait at the main island jetty at Nat Maw village. By
the way: passports may or may not be checked at the Bilu jetty, so take at least a photocopy of yours.
Some of the drivers speak some English and act as local guides and invaluable they are, too. Rates
depend on how long you’d like to stay on the island, but roughly speaking expect to pay 10,000 to
12,000 kyat a day for a motorbike or around 25,000 to 35,000 for a tuk tuk or truck. For this, the
driver will act as guide too.
Bamboo hat making. Photo: Mark Ord
The various island villages each have their own specialties which give a focal point to each village visit.
We found many fascinating but don’t worry: Inle Lake this is not. There’s no hard sell or souvenir
shops — indeed many places sold nothing at all and just seemed pleased to have some visitors — long
may that last. Note that if you’re on an organised tour, then a contribution by the guide will be
incorporated into the tour price, but if you’re on your own ask your driver about a donation.
See what your driver suggests, go with the flow and do note that many of the handicrafts that we
initially pooh­poohed turned out to be the most interesting. Don’t miss the backyard rubber band
making and other options include classic Burmese bamboo hat fabrication, tobacco pipes,
cheroots, walking sticks, weaving and old fashioned slate writing boards. The slate quarries
themselves are also sometimes included.

19. 3/25/2017 Bilu Island
https://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/burma_myanmar/southern_burma_myanmar/mon_state/mawlamyine/2381 3/6
Rubber band making on Bilu. Photo: Mark Ord
Tong Sone is the largest town. It has several curry, noodle and tea shops along its main street while
more can be found at the nearby Nat Maw Jetty car park. There’s even a KBZ bank in Tong Sone with
an ATM. Handicraft­wise, it’s known for its weaving. Nee Mote is the hat­making village, Mudon is
known for slate and Wya Lut has the wood carving and rubber band making wrapped up.
At time of writing there is no accommodation for foreigners on Bilu Island. Information as to the last
boat varied between 15:30 and 16:30, but if you do miss the last boat you will be obliged to hire your
own — so don’t miss it!
The crossing takes from 30 minutes to an hour, depending upon which boat you take, and costs
2,000 kyat per person. Both government and private ferries make the crossing. The former departs
from the jetty by the main market on Strand Road and the latter leaves from the Chaung Sone Jetty a
couple of kilometres south of the town centre. Government ones are larger but slower. For a timetable,
see our Mawlamyine travel section.

20. 3/25/2017 Bilu Island
https://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/burma_myanmar/southern_burma_myanmar/mon_state/mawlamyine/2381 4/6
Weaving away. Photo: Mark Ord
Breeze Guesthouse organises regular day trips for around $15 per person. Other HOTELS will find
you a driver and vehicle. It is relatively easy to organise on your own, though. Either way, Bilu
Island should not be missed.
As of early 2016, a new bridge is under construction to link the island and mainland. While that will
make life easier for residents, it will also change the island. Completion is due some time in 2017; visit
sooner rather than later.

21. 3/25/2017 Bilu Island
https://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/burma_myanmar/southern_burma_myanmar/mon_state/mawlamyine/2381 5/6
Browse tours in Burma Myanmar on Tourradar.com
By Mark Ord.
Last updated on 24th June, 2016.
Across the water from Mawlamyine
Location map for Bilu Island
 *

22. 3/25/2017 Bilu Island
https://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/burma_myanmar/southern_burma_myanmar/mon_state/mawlamyine/2381 6/6
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23. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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Magical Mawlamyine & The Ogre
Island
 August 14, 2014  Mike & Anne
It’s three o’clock in the morning in Mawlamyine, Myanmar and we are looking for
a place to sleep. Going from overnight bus to taxi van, we wind down the
mountain with toward the moonlit shimmer of the Thanlwin river. The cabby
takes us to BREEZES GUEST HOUSE , a crumbling colonial mansion on the
waterfront. We stand in front of the ornate doorway with a raised �ist, afraid to
knock at this ungodly hour. Wrap, wrap, tap…Mr. Anthony, the 70‑something
Welcome! We’re
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We left on our honeymoon in
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24. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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innkeeper, opens the door and sleepily motions us in. “It’s $8 for a veeerrrrry
small room,” he says, “or $40 for the Rubber Baron’s master suite with original
furnishings.” Not quite sure where we were or what we were getting into, we
took the closest, cheapest room and rested up for three unforgettable days in
Mawlamyine and Ogre Island.
The temperature had risen to 102 degrees by the time we awoke but we
motivated to explore the streets of what used to be called Little London. The Brits
made Mawlamyine their �irst Burmese capital in the 1800s and gave it the
trappings of home. Today their grand colonial buildings are selling anything from
cell phones to chicken feed and the wide boulevards are tented markets. It’s not
what it used be but it’s a fascinating place to explore. We watched the vendors
and shoppers haggle while we took a two‑hour lunch to beat the heat.
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25. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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As the sun set we hiked toward Kyaikthanlan Paya, the tallest stupa and best
vantage point in town. We took the Lonely Planet tip to approach the temple
complex via the long‑covered walkway that gracefully extends from Kyaik Than
Lan Phayar Street. The Mon‑style architecture was dazzling, from shrines to
monasteries to homes, all nestled amongst the trees.
Kyaikthanlan Paya was like a miniature version of the dazzling Shwedagon
Pagoda in Yangon, but with fabulous views of the riverside city.
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26. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
http://www.honeytrek.com/mystical­mawlamyine­ogre­island/ 4/14
If you sit long enough in Myanmar, friendly locals are bound to approach. As we
were admiring the view, these adorable girls came up to us, curious about
everything from our hair to our clothes to guide book, but mostly the sound of
our voice. We exchanged basic English and Myanmar language lessons and
unforgettable smiles.
The Ogre Island


27. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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An hour across the river from Mawlamyine sits Bilu Kyun, aka Ogre Island. If the
name wasn’t intriguing enough, it’s home to 64 villages specializing in all sorts of
crafts from coconut mats, bamboo hats, rubber bands, wooden instruments…
made with virtually no supplies or electric tools. We took the morning ferry,
cramming in with what seemed like a thousand people in a dingy and prayed we
wouldn’t sink. Note: If you go here, you need to catch the 3pm boat home;
foreigners aren’t allowed to sleep on the island (because of the Ogres, of course).


28. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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The island was too massive to walk, bike, or navigate on our own so we hopped in
a truck with a local guide and the only other two tourists for a half‑day tour. We
made about �ive stops at various workshops, passing by lily‑pond lakes, pastures,
and tiny villages from a bygone era.
Horse and cart are the primary mode of transportation on the island, followed by
bicycles, then cars made in what can only be described as “Mr‑Potato‑Head‑style” 

29. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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construction. Motor, lights, fender, gas tanks, wheels, and wooden seats were
strategically slapped together for some crazy amazing vehicles.
Our �irst stop on the craftsman tour was a resilient little wood‑working studio.
Using what I’m sure were spare parts from a “Mr. Potato Head car” gone wrong,
this father‑son team was whittling the most beautiful pipes, furnishings, and this
rocking guitar in the shape of a Phoenix.


30. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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Have you ever thought about how a rubber band is made? No, because they are
so simple, cheap, and ubiquitous–who would? Well, we have a heck of a lot more
respect for the humble rubber band after watching its construction. Over the
course of two days one must boil the tree sap, dye it, dip it, dry it, peel it, dry it
again, dice it, then hand‑separate thousands of springy rings. Rubber bands and
their makers, we salute you!!


31. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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Next we went to a stilted home turned hat workshop. Similar conical hats can be
found in other parts of Asia but we’d never seen them being built. Impressively
enough no man‑made materials are used; bamboo husks are the source for
everything from the brim to the needles and thread.
The time warp continued with a visit to the brick‑making factory. In the extreme
heat (100+ in the shade of a tree), men were hand‑making mud bricks, drying


32. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
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them in the sun, then hauling them to a massive �ire‑burning kiln. And somehow
they were still smiling.
Our time here was such an amazing reminder of how many things we take for
granted–from cars to the rubber band. And an even greater reminder to
appreciate everything you’ve got.


33. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
http://www.honeytrek.com/mystical­mawlamyine­ogre­island/ 11/14
Traversing Bolivia by
4×4: Atacama to Uyuni
 July 1, 2012  15
The Fabled Saigon
 January 8, 2014  10
Reaching the End of
the World
 April 25, 2012  22
SEE MORE PHOTOS IN OUR
MAWLAMYINE MYANMAR SLIDESHOW
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11 thoughts on “Magical Mawlamyine &
The Ogre Island”
I love the picture of you with the children laughing behind you, what a sweet
moment! The pagoda is stunning, so lavish especially in contrast to the simple
lives of the villagers in your other pictures. It looks like a fascinating place!
6
1
  More
 Nancy Mock
 HoneyTrek Anne


34. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
http://www.honeytrek.com/mystical­mawlamyine­ogre­island/ 12/14
Nancy we are so glad to have you along for the ride! That was
such a sweet moment, it started with the litltlest girl. She just
walked right up to us, not saying a word but smiling ear to ear.
Myanmar is the country where we learned the most words
because you constantly are conversing with people–English
skills or not!
Great reading your blog about Mawlamyine as we are headed there in a few
days. Do you by any chance have any information about boats running from
Mawlamyine to Hpa‑An at this time of year. Thanks so much for any info you
can provide!
How exciting you are heading to Mawlamyine in a couple days! I
think things can change so quickly so we wouldn’t want to give
you speci�ic info on ferries (we ultimately took the bus to Hpa‑
An). However, Mr.Anthony of BREEZES GUEST HOUSE is
super tapped in to all things in the area, even if you don’t stay
there, go chat with him! Best of luck and enjoy Hpa‑An–that’s
our next blog!
 Lauren
 HoneyTrek Anne
 Lauren


35. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
http://www.honeytrek.com/mystical­mawlamyine­ogre­island/ 13/14
Thanks! We �igured everything was subject to
change so we went ahead and emailed Breezes to
�ind out about the boat options. I’ll de�initely check
out your Hpa‑An blog as that will be our next stop.
Have a great trip!
I must admit I have not given a lot of thought into the production of a rubber
band. Your posts are making me want to get back to Myanmar in a hurry and
explore the places I wasn’t allowed to last time. This being one of them.
Mawlamyine was closed off then, eh? So crazy. There are still a
number of places in the North that they won’t let you go but I’m
sure so much great stuff has opened up since you went! We hope
you get to go again soon and thanks so much for all your
awesome and thoughtful comments!
Pingback: Little‑Known Hpa An ‑ HoneyTrek
 Tim
 Mike Howard ‑ HoneyTrek.com
 The Scuttle�ish @ Paper Boats 

36. 3/25/2017 The Ogre Island Mawlamyine
http://www.honeytrek.com/mystical­mawlamyine­ogre­island/ 14/14
Beautiful read! Happy to have found a travel blog run by wonderful
storytellers. As someone who grew up in post‑colonial Calcutta, I’m very
interested in the changing tides of such towns and cities, as old British
buildings and cultures get incorporated into local ones, creating such
interesting and distinct local �lavours. I’ve not been to Myanmar yet, which is a
shame as it’s so close to where I grew up! to‑be‑remedied.
Pingback: You Know You’re In Myanmar When... ‑ HoneyTrek
You suck!
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37. Bilu Kyun (Ogre Island) isn’t quite as scary as it sounds. Rather than a hideaway for nasty monsters, it’s a beautiful
Mon island directly west of Mawlamyine. Roughly the size of Singapore, Bilu Kyun comprises 78 villages that are
home to more than 200,000 people. It's a green, fecund place, home to palm‑studded rice fields and fruit
plantations, and has the vibe of a tropical island, only without the beaches.
Some of Bilu Kyun's villages are associated with the production of various handicrafts and household items, from
coconut‑fibre mats to slate tablets, although the number of workshops has declined in recent years and many of those
remaining are now more geared to tourists than anything else.
There's public transport to Bilu Kyun, but the boats run a confusing schedule from a variety of piers. The local
authorities also require notice to visit Bilu Kyun. That may change once a new bridge linking the island to the
mainland is completed in 2017, but until then the best way to approach the island is via a day tour. Mr Antony or Mr
Khaing at lead informative tours, which typically run from 9am to 5pm, circling the island,
stopping in at various craft workshops and tacking on a swim stop. The K18,000 fee per person covers transport and
lunch.
At research time, foreigners were not allowed to stay overnight on Bilu Kyun.
MAWLAMYINE ATTRACTIONS
Bilu Kyun
Island in Mawlamyine
Breeze Guest House
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44. 3/25/2017 Bilu Kyun (Ogre Island) ­ MyanmarBurma.com
http://www.myanmarburma.com/attraction/33/bilu­kyun­ogre­island 1/3
Home What to See & Do Main Attractions Pagodas & Monuments Bilu Kyun (Ogre Island)
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Bilu Kyun (Ogre Island)
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Pagodas & Monuments | Landscape | 0 comments
While it may be impossible to prove that ogres
once existed on Bilu Kyun island, there certainly
aren't any there today.
At least, not that the Mon natives living there can tell. The villages that
dot the island are home to expert craftsmen now, and their ability to
transform raw goods into daily necessities is well worth a visit. In
modern times, these cottage workshops also produce more
recognizable items such as pens and rubber bands (sourced from
nearby plantations).
One particular village, Ywa Loot, is not to be missed as its craftsmen
specialize in creating handmade smoking pipes that are valued across
the country for their quality. Some Burmese have even been known to
eschew imported Western pipes in favour of this local product.
Check ahead with guide services on whether the workshops will be
open, as many only open their doors when there is local demand.
Getting to Bilu Kyun is easiest through Mawlamyine, the capital of the
Mon state and a major sea port. From there, it is a short boat ride to
the island.
For more on islands, click here.
Mon island village pipes
crafts
Read More
Read More
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45. 3/25/2017 Bilu Kyun Island in Mon State: a transport time warp
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/special­features/162­wheels­2013/5795­bilu­kyun­island­in­mon­state­a­transport­time­warp.html 1/3
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Bilu Kyun Island in Mon State: a
transport time warp
By Maria Danmark | Monday, 25 March 2013
There aren’t any cars on Mon State’s Bilu Kyun Island. Locals get
around in horse­drawn carts, motorbikes, tuk­tuks or the
occasional bus. In fact, until very recently, it was the Bronze Age
invention, the horse­drawn vehicle, that was the most common
form of transportation for the island’s 200,000 inhabitants.
One of Bilu Kyun Island's pony and carts. (Maria Danmark/The Myanmar Times)
According to Lonely Planet Myanmar (2011) “on the island, all local transport
is by horse and cart, though the more distant villages can be linked by one of
the few rattling buses.”
According to Mr Anthony, a guide based in Mawlamyine, motorbikes and tuk­
tuks began to appear on the island two years ago. In that short space of time, it
is these latter types of vehicles that now greet passengers disembarking the
ferry at the village of Nut­Maw. The pony carts are all but disappearing, Mr
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46. 3/25/2017 Bilu Kyun Island in Mon State: a transport time warp
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/special­features/162­wheels­2013/5795­bilu­kyun­island­in­mon­state­a­transport­time­warp.html 2/3
ferry at the village of Nut­Maw. The pony carts are all but disappearing, Mr
Anthony said.
As a guide, he views the change pragmatically. Because foreigners aren’t
permitted to stay on the island (which is also known as “Ogre Island”)
overnight, it’s more convenient to show tourists around the 64 villages using
motorised transport. The downside is that like in many other parts of rural
Myanmar, the nostalgic charm has been usurped by modernity.
However in the village of Kalwi, where tuk­tuks are prohibited, it appears that
horse­drawn carts outnumber motorbikes – though it could also simply be a
matter of time before this changes. Cars remain prohibited throughout the
island and tuk­tuks are only permitted in Nut­Maw, where the ferry from
Mawlamyine arrives.
U Soe Min Tun lives in Kalwi and has been involved in the family’s pony­cart
business for a decade. After his father immigrated to Thailand to find a job, U
Soe Min Tun and his older brother set up the business as a means of
supporting their family.
They started out with two ponies and a cart that they bought in Mawlamyine,
the capital of Mon State.
“It was very hard in the beginning, because we had no idea about how to run a
business or train ponies. The training was actually the hardest part,” U Soe
Min Tun said.
He explained that he had no idea how tough it would be to train the ponies
and said that the early days with passengers were “horrible,” because neither
he nor the ponies knew how to send and receive instructions, such as tugging
on the reins to stop.
U Soe Min Tun is now an expert and has even built his own carts.
When the brothers started their business there were only four other
competitors in his village. The pony­cart business expanded over time as an
increasing number of tourists began to visit the island and locals sought to
enter the trade after losing their jobs in the island’s limited job sectors.
U Soe Min Tun said that he leads about five tours a day and the number of
horse­drawn carts is now 25.
But despite the increase in passenger numbers, he still feels the pinch of
competition.
“We earned more in the past than we do. We make about K8000 a day, which
isn’t always enough to meet my family’s needs,” U Soe Min Tun said.
The family had also been relying on the money sent from U Soe Min Tun’s
sisters in Singapore – one of whom left a child behind in Bilu Kyun Island.
However he said that the family has been forced to cut down on their expenses
because his other sister is now married and has stopped sending money.
U Soe Min Tun and his brother have therefore tried to diversify by investing in
a motorbike so that they can offer a speedier form of transport to customers.
“But I seldom use it,” he said. ^ scroll to top

47. 3/25/2017 Bilu Kyun Island in Mon State: a transport time warp
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“I actually prefer to travel with the ponies. This is partly because I can carry
more passengers, but also because I am attached to the ponies,” he explained.
U Soe Min Tun doesn’t believe that cars will appear on the island any time
soon.
“If this were to happen, it would have to be little by little. The roads are in such
bad shape – even for driving a pony and cart.”
At this point Mr Anthony quipped, “Myanmar is a holy country, because of all
the holes in the roads.”
Although there are plans to improve the roads within three or four months,
there has been no announcement that the ban on cars will be relaxed.
“We have enough transport on the island. We don’t need cars,” said U Soe Min
Tun.
However he added that he and his brother would be interested in buying a car
if ever there was an opportunity to do so.
But he added firmly: “But no matter what, we would definitely keep our ponies
because they have sort of become part of the family,” he added.
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