Located on the bank of Pathein River (Bassein), a western branch of the Irrawaddy River, Pathein is well known as 'Pathein Hti' by its famous production of fine sun parasols. Dating back from at least the 12th century, Pathein is one of the biggest cities in Myanmar and the center of the Ayeyarwady region, the rice bowl of Myanmar. Being a port city, the ships from India and South East Asia made the town develop prosperously during the British Colonial period.

Located on the bank of Pathein River (Bassein), a western branch of the Irrawaddy River, Pathein is well known as ‘Pathein Hti’ by its famous production of fine sun parasols. Dating back from at least the 12th century, Pathein is one of the biggest cities in Myanmar and the center of the Ayeyarwady region, the rice bowl of Myanmar. Being a port city, the ships from India and South East Asia made the town develop prosperously during the British Colonial period.

Pathein has various rice sawmills and umbrella workshops beside some rice mills. The colorful handmade umbrellas make Pathein famous through Myanmar.This city is also worldwide known for its pottery and garish hand-made products such as baskets and buckets. In addition to, the cultivation of sesames, groundnuts, jute, corns, pulses, tobacco is popular in surrounding areas.

According to the Koppen climate classification system, Pathein is a tropical monsoon city. Rainy season here is from June through August and the dry season is from December through April with the noticeably cooler temperatures than the remainder of the year.

Pathein owns a lot of famous Buddhist temples. The most attractive site in the city is Shwemokhtaw Pagoda, a Buddhist temple originally built by King Asoka of India in 305 BC (as the local legend). The stupa is now 153 feet (47 m) tall, with the first layer made of nearly 14 pounds of solid gold, the second layer of pure silver, and the third layer of bronze, with 829 diamonds, 843 rubies, and 1588 semi-precious stones.The second charming place which you should not miss is Mawdin Pagoda which lies onthe mouth of the Pathein River. During most of the year this pagoda is difficult to access, however, the area becomes jubilant during the lunar month of Tabodwe because of its huge pagoda festival. At this point, there are boats regularly from Pathein and it is likely to make a day trip here to attend the local market opening to cater the pilgrims’ demands.