Taungup

Taungup or Taunggok (Burmese တောင်ကုတ်မြို့) is a town (pop. 158,341 as of 2014) in the Rakhine State, the westernmost state in Myanmar.

Understand

Taungup is not particular famous or special regarding sights and things to do, but it is a convenient transport hub between Mrauk U, Sittwe, Pyay and Ngapali, because some accommodations are available for tourists. Since Myanmar has increasingly opened up, travel in the far western, formerly closed part of the country is becoming more popular. Expect to see Taungup grow in the next couple of years due to its location.

Get in

The 🌍 bus station is a little south in the centre of the city.

• Ngapali – Many buses and pickups/vans per day do the 2-3 h trip. 3,000 kyat. Try the bus station in Thandwe.
• Mrauk U – At least two buses leave for Taungup. 12 h, 15,000 kyat.
• Pyay – 3-4 h. 3-4,000 kyat.

Taungup also has a 🌍 harbour where boats from Sittwe arrive - Monday & Thursday, leave at 06:00 arrive at 15:00. There are some concerns regarding the security on the boat as robberies have occurred.

Get around

Taungup is a small town; everything can be reached on foot, including the harbour. If you have heavy luggage, a motorbike taxi can be an option for the 4 km.

See

• 🌍 Pagoda (Just next of the eastern exit of the bus station). Have a look at this pagoda in the quiet setting of a monastery. Allows for a relaxed wait for the bus. 

Do

There is not much here to do; only a few foreigners visit which helps preserve the traditions.

Buy

Try 🌍 Myoma Market in the center near the river and north of the bus station.

Eat

• 🌍 Ms Aung (Open front with food pots, stairs and tables, hard to miss). Very nice restaurant. They rarely see foreigners, hence they take extra care more they take care of their guests. Various meat dishes, served with salads and rice. 1,500-2,000 kyat. 
• 🌍 Royal Restaurant (Same location as the guesthouse). Variety of dishes. About 2,500 kyat. 

Drink

Some restaurants serves beer, but there is no bars.

Sleep

Most guesthouse, also open to western tourists, are nearby the junction north of the bus station.

• 🌍 Khant Guest House (Just north from the main junction from the bus station). 10/25,000 kyat (no-AC/AC). 
• 🌍 Nan Taw Oo Guest House (Just north from the main junction from the bus station). 5,000 kyat (sgl). 
• 🌍 Royal Guesthouse (Along the main road, right at the junction that leads to the bus station). 25,000 kyat. 

Go next

Bus transport is via the bus station in the center just a little south.

• Pyay – Famous for the nearby and ancient Pyu city. 3-4 h. 3-4,000 kyat.
• Ngapali – Has the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar, but is mostly a resort place with few budget options. Many buses and pickups/vans per day do the 2-3 h trip (3,000 kyat), and most probably will drop you of at the Thandwe bus station, from where you easily can get onward transport for the last 6-12 km to Ngapali, depending on where you want to go along the stretched beach. There is no tourist accommodation available in Thandwe itself.
• Mrauk U – Famous for is ancient sights and traditional, surrounding Chin Villages. The bus from the Thandwe bus station starts at 14:30 & 16:30, takes 12 h and is about 15,000 kyat. The trip is quite unpleasant due to the bad condition of the road: expect to arrive very tired and try to get a decent seat in front.
• Sittwe – Used to be the transport hub for Mrauk U and allows for an alternative route by boat. The boat leaves Wednesday & Saturday, 06:30 from the harbour, and arrives at 15:30. Tickets are sold at 🌍 Malikha Transportation office at the street north from the bus station by the guesthouses towards the market, just after the wide open junction.