Kyauktalon Taung, Yadana Taung

            Mudon is the first major town south of Mawlamyine on the way to Thanbyuzayat, Kyaikkami and Setse Beach. Most travellers from Mawlamyine to these destinations would bypass Mudon altogether, preferring to stop 5 km earlier at Kyauktalon Taung and Yadana Taung, whilst visiting Win Sein Taw Ya, the largest reclining Buddha image in the world.

            Kyauktalon Taung is an interesting flat rock formation 300 feet in height with a Buddhist shrine situated on top. Although reminding you of Mt Popa in central Myanmar, the outcrop is geologically different being made of limestone rather than volcanic rock.  As you are heading south towards Mudon from Mawlamyine, Kyauktalon Taung is located on the right hand side of the road however access to the shrine appears to be quite difficult requiring a very steep climb to the top.

            Opposite Kyauktalon Taung is Yadana Taung and the entrance to a Hindu temple where literally hundreds of monkeys roam about freely, similar to those found at the monkey forest in Ubud, Bali. Beware, however, as the monkeys here are often hungry and if they sense that you have food on you, they'll do whatever it takes to steal it! A hundred metres further south is the entrance to Win Sein Taw Ya.

            Mudon is a further 10 minutes from here at a distance of 29 kilometres from Mawlamyine. If you're on a half-day trip visiting this area, then a nice place for lunch is at Kandawgyi Lake located just after the main town centre on the left hand side of the road. There are a number of stalls selling rice and an assortment of side dishes, as well as moehingga (noodles in a fish based broth) and soft drinks.