This dusty town is rarely visited by tourists, which is evident to those who visit and are often surrounded by curious staff and locals at restaurants.

Magwe’s largest shrine, the Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, features a gilded stupa and occupies a hilltop site with great Irrawaddy river views. And across the water you can find Minbu and the Nga Ka Pwe Taung, a bubbling pool of gas and mud surrounded by lunar-like terrain.

The Shwesettaw Pagoda festival is a huge festival that celebrates the visitation of the Buddha to the area, where his footprints are said to have been preserved. The pagoda is located on a picturesque river bend 50km to the west of Magwe and takes place on the fifth waxing moon of the Myanmar calendar, Tabodwe (between February and April). For a full list of Myanmar festivals and holidays, go here.

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