The river journey from Mawlamyine along the Thanlwin River is a beautiful one, taking in local riverside villages and karst mountain scenery; you can get a small fast boat to Hpa An for K10,000 (since the building of a new road bridge, the government ferry from Mawlamyine no longer runs).

Boats typically depart Mawlamyine at 8.30am and arrive in Hpa An at around 12.30pm; tickets can be bought at at guest houses and hotels, or at the Strand Road jetty booking office in Mawlamyine.