The Chindwin River

About the Chindwin

UNESCO Heritage Sites

See the famous fisherman on a Chindwin River Cruise

Ports-of-Call on the Chindwin River

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Chindwin River as it flows through Myanmar. These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises. Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Chindwin River further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Homalin

Myanmar

Homalin is a town in north western Myanmar which lies on the Chindwin River, surrounded by forested mountains that rise to an elevation of 9000 feet. The remote Tamanthi Wildlife Reserve, home to elephants, leopards, tigers and bears, is located to the north of Homalin. The 1908 steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company plied weekly between Pakokku and Homalin. Government of Myanmar also plied its launches on this route. During World War II, Homalin on the bank of the Chindwin River, was once occupied by the Japanese. Following this, after the Japanese were defeated, the town was combed thoroughly to remove any Japanese soldiers and this was followed by further preparations to counter any Japanese gunboat attacks from the river side. Today the town has a population of roughly 1500 people. The Naga and Kuki ethnic group reside in Homalin.

Kani

Myanmar

Kani is a town in Sagaing Region, Myanmar situated on the west bank of Chindwin river. From the age of Burma dynasties, the Shwe Myin Phyu Hill to the north is home to the remains of a castle wall and moat. Myin Phyu Shin Divinity, famous in Myanmar, is now called Kani Nawyahtār after the city governor of Kani when King Ah Nawyahtār governed the country. The local and ancient culture and heritage of the region is evident as you explore this small river town and meet the indigenous people, shop street vendors, and explore a culture far from our own.

Mandalay

Myanmar

Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Myanmar, formerly Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River near the confluence with the Chindwin River, the city today has a population of about 1.3 million residents. Mandalay is the economic center of Upper Burma and considered the center of Burmese culture. A continuing influx of Chinese immigrants, mostly from Yunnan, has reshaped the city’s ethnic makeup and increased commerce with China. There is evidence throughout of colonial British occupation from the 1880’s through the 1940’s. Around the city you will find culturally rich treasures like the Atumashi Monastery, Buddha’s Replica Tooth Relic Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay Palace and the Mahamuni Buddha Temple.

Mawlaik

Myanmar

Once a center of British Colonial Teak logging, Mawlaik is a small but strong river town in Northern Myanmar. Here you will be transported back in time as you meet local and indigenous people in traditional dress, shop local markets, and see what life is like in rural and remote Burma. The town is located on the Chindwin River and is only accessible during the months that the monsoons don’t swell its banks into the town. In Mawlaik you will truly feel like you are in a different world at a time long ago lost.

Mingkin

Myanmar

Mingkin, on the banks of the Chindwin River in Myanmar, is replete with Konbaung court style teak monasteries that are exotically decorated. Mingkin had been described as the Luang Prabang, famous city of Laos, of the Chindwin. Evidence of British colonial rule in the 20th century abound this ancient town. Today you can interact with the people as you explore this remote and untouched part of Burma.

Monywa

Myanmar

Not far north of Mandalay lies Monywa on the Chindwin River. Monywa is also known as Neem city because most streets of the city are beautifully lined by very old Neem trees. While in Monywa you may visit the Thambuddhe Pagoda, a Buddhist temple with a very large stupa resembling Indonesia’s Borobudur. It dates from 1303, although it was reconstructed in 1939. It is said to contain over 500,000 images of Buddha. Nearby is the Maha Bodhi Tahtaung Laykyun Sekkya standing Buddha statue, one of the tallest statues in the world. This is the focal point of an expansive area filled with Buddha statues, bodhi trees, and pagodas, established by the Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Sayadaw in the 1960’s. Another point of interest is the Phowintaung cave complex located across the Chindwin River. The Nyaung-gan Bronze Age cemetery, dated to between 1,500 BC and 500 BC, with bronze tools, ceramics and stone artifacts is 60 minutes travel on a narrow road north of Monywa.

Your Chindwin River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Chindwin River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.