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

By bus

• 1 Bus Station (a little south in the centre of the city). (updated Jul 2019)

From specific destinations:

• Thandwe (for Ngapali) – Many buses and pickups/vans per day do the 2-3 hr trip. 3,000 kyat. Some touristy buses go into Ngapali directly.
• Mrauk U – At least two buses leave for Taungup. 12 hr, 15,000 kyat.
• Pyay – Prepare (your stomach) for a very bumpy ride through the mountains at certain seasons. 4-7 hr. 4,000-10,000 kyat.

By boat

• 2 Taungup Harbour. 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. (updated Jul 2019)

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

• 1 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 1 Myoma Market in the center near the river and north of the bus station.

Eat

• 1 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. 
• 2 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

There are about 15 or 20 guesthouses where you can find rooms for in the US$10-20 range. The cheaper rooms often have no windows and consist of only a bed and a fan. For US$15 you can get a more decent aircon room in low season. Most guesthouses, also open to western tourists, are nearby the junction north of the bus station.

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

Go next

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

• Pyay – Famous for the nearby and ancient Pyu city.
• Ngapali – Has the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar, but is mostly a resort place with few budget options.
• Mrauk U – Famous for is ancient sights and traditional, surrounding Chin Villages.
• 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 2 Malikha Transportation office at the street north from the bus station by the guesthouses towards the market, just after the wide open junction.