ငပလီ Ngapali Beach: The Natural Beauty of Myanmar

Ngapali Beach : The Natural Beauty of Myanmar

            It is famous for its natural and unspotted beauty up to this day. The beach stretches about 3km with soft white sand fringed by coconut palms. Ngapali Beach is one of the loveliest places in Myanmar.

            Ngapali Beach is in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar.

            Do you like peace and tranquility, and visit places “far from the madding crowds?” As many of us now live in crowded cities with the stress and strain of over-population, we need periods of relaxation away from urban areas, and go back closer to nature, Situated about 7km away from Thandwe (Sandoway), one of the ancient Rakhine (formerly Arakan) towns. It is said to have been named after the Naple of Italy by a homesick Italian. It is famous for its natural and unspotted beauty up to this day. The beach stretches about 3km with soft white sand fringed by coconut palms. It serves as the best ground for sunbathing and recreation such as beach strolling, cycling and so on. Unlike today’s beaches of Asia, it is free of noisy beachside bars, crowded people and hawkers persuading you to buy their things. There are only natural scenic beauty of the blue sea, white sand and the lovely sun. The sea is cobalt blue, without any dangerous marine animals and clean.

            The water here is transparent and the sea is tranquil. Bicylce tours are arranged to visit the nearby villages. Bicycle tours are arranged to visit the nearby villages. The villages usually sun dry their fish, shrimp and coconut. These products are transported to Yangon and and over the country. The best time to visit this beach during October and May of every year.

            Undoubtedly one of the best places for a relaxing holiday is Ngapali Beach near Thandwe (Sandoway) in Rakkhine (Arakan) State, on the Bay of Bengal. Ngapali Beach is one of the loveliest places in Myanmar; it is also one of the most unspoilt beaches in the world, with miles of pure white sands skirting the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean. Actually, Ngapali is not one single beach, but a series of beach interspersed with small fishing villages streching from Mazin where the airport is located , to Lontha on Mayo Bay where coastal steamers dock in a sheltered anchorage.

            A small winding tarmac road snakes its way along the coast for about twelve miles from Mazin to Lontha, passing through Ngapali village, Shwewa Gyaing, Myabyin, Lonthaand several other small villages nestling between the beaches and the hills along the coast. A golf course next to the road near Ngapali village is being widened, from two lanes to four lanes, and the airport will be extended to take bigger planes. A new terminal building has already been constructed. The private Mandalay Air and the government Myanmar Airways fly to Ngapali on alternate days throughout the week. It takes only 45 minutes flying time from Yangon.

            After resting on the beach under the clear blue skies, the more energetic tourist or traveller has the option of exploring the ranges of hills behind the Strand Beach Hotel. Once you are on the small hills you will find a peaceful lake, which is actually a reservoir with blue waters where you can fish but not swim. In the winter months this lake is the haunt of migrating water fowls, wild ducks, teals and others which come down from the far north, beyond the borders of Myanmar. Ponies are available for riding along the beaches. Fishing boats with motors can be hired for trips to some of the islands off the coast or just to fish near the reef. Some travelers like to go on what is known as “side cars”, trishaws peddled by local village men with two back to back seats for passengers at the side. Local buses ply between the villages and also to Thandwe, the district centre about seven miles away from the hotel. The best and cheapest way is to hire a bicycle to go around. Ngapali is accessible by flight which takes about 45minutes from Yangon, by car about 14hours drive along the Rakhine Yoma mountain range. Ngapali has an international 18-holes golf resort, where you can relax. Ngapali Strand Beach Hotel has about forty- four single- storey bungalows, with comfortable two bed – rooms with bathrooms attached in each building . There are also three modern doublestorey buildings. There are also three modern double –storey buildings. The hotel which first opened about thirty-five years ago is now being upgraded with nodern facilities. If you are looking for a peaceful holiday with time to read and reflect, Ngapali with its lovely beaches is the place to visit. There you wil find serenity and peace of mind amidst beautiful scenery.

            The beach serve the best recreation: there’s great snorkelling, a reasonable golf course, boat trips to uninhabited islands and several nearby villages where you can observe traditional artisans in action0clay pottery in Kinmaw, and hand weaving in ancient Thandwe, Ngapali’s closest town. There’s a lovely variety of restaurants, too, both in the hotels along the shoeling and along the road inland. They all serve excellent, ultra-fresh seafood.

GET IN

            You can reached by land or plane. Three local air line (Air Mandalay , Air Bagan and Yangon Airways) provide air services to Thandwe about four miles from Ngapali beach. 16 hours drive with air conbuse or normal express car.

GET AROUND

·         Near by village

·         Enjoy the sunset at unique small islet named pleasant view islet(the only small islel in Ngapali beach)

·         Boat trip to pearl island

·         Fishing village

·         Snokel and relax under palm trees

·         Bicycle

·         Visit to Black sand island called Zalat Htone Island

·         Clay Pottery works are done at Kinmaw village

·         Hand weaving works of Rakhine longyi are based in Thandwe

SEE

            Ngapali is prime choice for beach lovers dream about; quite, white sand, the quite rural surroundings, Rakhine ways of life, local fishing style, etc…

DO

            It’s a beach – you can relax under a palm tree and go swimming occasionally. Water is very clear and the white sand on the beach won’t  disappoint either. The beach looks west, meaning that there will be not so much of sun in the morning but a beautiful sunset in the evening.

            A common half-a-day trip offered by most resorts and shops along the main road includes fishing, snorkeling and avisit to a nearly island. Some places try to charge you up to 35,000 kyat, but when booked directly from the boat driver (or some of the restaurants) it is 20,000 kyat per boat.

            There are two places on the main road for motor-bike renting. Bicycles can be rented almost every-where. The fisherman village of Lon Tha, a couple of kilometers south of the resorts, is worth seeing.

BUY

            Try to buy coconut carving doll to encourage local people.

EAT

            Ngapali beach offers the best seafood cuisine in Myanmar. Almost all the restaurants are seafood restaurants, are seafood restaurants, but they also serve other basic Burmese, Thai and Chinese dishes. Resorts often have some Western titles in their menus.

            On the beach –side of the main road are the resorts’ restaurants and on the other side you will find somewhat cheaper local restaurants. Prices are affordable, even in the resorts.

            Paradise Seafood restaurant is a mice one, close to the Bay view restaurant. Nice, fresh fish and sea food. Good cocktail afterwards. Very friendly owner, stay until after closing and he will bring you home on his motorbikes and arrange boat trips. Pleasant View Islet BBQ Restaurant, is the best for its location on the small islet. Unique an the only one in Ngapali Beach.

DRINK

            Standard drinks such as Mojitos and Singapore Slings are $4 to $7 in the resorts. Most of them have happy hours at the time of sunset, typically between 5pm and 7pm. Expect half the price during that time.

A large bottle (660ml)of Myanmar or Tiger beer is 2,000 to 2500kyat in local restaurants.

            Tap water is not drinkable but a few bottels of purified water often comes as complimentary in the hotels. A large bottle sells for 150 to 300kyat on the street.

            Fresh coconuts are sold on the beach. The seller cuts it open for you.

SLEEP

1.      Pleasant View Resort (The newest one in Ngapali Beach) Accommodation provide with 14 Two Storey Deloxe Bungalow, 10 Deluxe Bungalows and 2 family DeluxeBungalows. All rooms are beach front sea view deluxe room. Adress: S-5, North Wing of AungSan Stadium, Mingalar Taun Nyunt Township, Yangon. Ph /Fax:951-393086, 09-5102361, 09-73160306 Email: reserve@PVRngapali.comwww.PVR ngapali.com.

2.      Amazing Resort Adress: Rm(06-05), BoMyat Htun Towe, Botahtaung Township, Yangon. Ph:951-203500

3.      Bayview-the beach resort Booking adress: i22, Pan Hlaing Street, Sanchaung Township, Yangon. Ph:95-1-504471, Fax:95-1-539348[1]Bayview-the beach resort is a four-star-boutique hotel. It is located on the idyllic Ngapali Beach in Myanmar’s Rakhine State – its coastline forms part of the Bay of Bengal. The resorts’ 45 deluxe bungalows and rooms including 2 suites are all situate either directly at the beach or in a beautiful exotic garden under countless palm trees. Enjoy the Sunset Bar and the restaurant the Catch, offering fine dining, serving exquisite international and Pan-Asian cuisine and also the freshest fish and seafood accompanied by a large variety of carefully chosen wines.

4.      Amata Resort Adresss: Corner of West Race Course Rd&Sayasan Road, Yankin Township, Yangon. Ph:95-1-542535, 95-1-544736, 95-1-559292

5.      Silver Beach Hotel Adress: S-8, North Wing of Aung San Stadium, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Yangon.

6.      Royal Beach Hotel Adress: 201, Bo Myat Htun Street, Botahtaun Township, Yangon. Ph:95-1-294612, 95-1-200883.