Mottama Travel Guide

Mottama is a small town in Thaton, Mon State, in the south of Myanmar. It sits on the pretty banks of the Salween River opposite the large town of Mawlamyaing. The town itself is quiet but there is plenty of activity on the river from passing ferries and local fisherman.

Mottama was formerly named Martaban and Mawlamyaing Bridge provides access in and out of the town to surrounding cities and larger towns. The town is pleasant but the port is where all the daily action goes on, with fisherman fetching home their catches and the ferries running between towns.

Mottama is the end of the railway and road from Yangon and the Salween River that runs through the town rises in Tibet before joining the Bay of Martaban and then finally the Andaman Sea.

Getting There & Away

The nearest airport to Mottama is in Yangon and from here you can get a bus or minivan to to Thaton, a 90-mile journey on a decent road. There is a train station in Ye and many travelers going to Mottama choose to hire a car or motorbike as it is a little off the beaten track.

Things to Do

Mottama Attractions

Mottama Port

A hive of activity every day of the week, with fisherman bringing home their fresh catches.