Dawei, formerly Tavoy, is a low-rise metropolis, with its origins dating back to the Tibeto-Burman speaking Pyu people. Since then, administration of the city has yo-yoed between power-hungry Mon, Burmese, Siamese, British and Japanese governments. This, coupled with a 60-year period of relative isolation, has fortuitously led to the making of one of Myanmar’s most historically intriguing and fun to explore cities.

To learn about this and more, start with a tour of Payagyi, the largest and most popular Buddhist pagoda in town.

Being one of the first cities the British settled—and having done so for a period of 120-years—most of the colonial architecture you’ll find here predates that of even Yangon. Overshadowed by its big sister for quite some time, mass development has passed Dawei by, unintentionally preserving many of the city’s grand mansions and leafy thoroughfares. The best way to appreciate these eye-catching remnants is on foot, with some of the highlights being the Morrow Missionary School, the church and the old administrative buildings near the junction of Ye and Arzarni Roads.

People, more so than anything, are at the heart of Dawei, and the best way to appreciate this is by taking a tour of the daily market and the various family-run local businesses. The production of clay pots and the peeling of cashew nuts is a pleasure to observe, as is striking up conversation with the chatty artisans in-charge.

End the day with a visit to Maungmagan beach to watch the sun slowly set over the Andaman Sea.