Maliwan Waterfall

Kawthaung’s most touted attraction is Maliwan Waterfall, a pretty spot worth a visit outside of the dry season. Its name is Thai — Maliwan means jasmine — and it lies around 40 kilometres north of town along a good road. It’s a few kilometres from the main highway. While it is a bit of a haul to get here, you could include Palautonetone as part of a trip.

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Unexpectedly, the stream flows from the west. It had plenty of water when we visited in January, and while rainy season must get dramatic by March/April it’s probably not worth the trip. The stream performs a series of drops with a pool and water park created close to the entrance. It’s hugely popular at weekends with locals. They (and you) can hire inner tubes or kayaks, use a water slide or simply splash around in the clean pool. Note that you are restricted to the one pool — downriver tubing is not permitted. By plastic boat it would take about a minute to circumnavigate the entire pool.

Fun and games for all the family. Photo taken in or around Maliwan Waterfall, Kawthaung, Burma_myanmar by Mark Ord.

Fun and games for all the family. Photo: Mark Ord

A concrete path leads up the right side of the stream and further cascades, without water-slides. The highlight and end is a 10-metre fall some 500 metres from the entrance. A steep muddy trail does continue uphill if you’re feeling energetic. While loads of locals were picnicking when we visited, the place was kept spotless. We even saw a picnicking dad collecting cigarette butts before leaving. Quite how they’ve managed to keep Maliwan so clean while elsewhere litter is a major problem is quite remarkable.

The entrance has some small ornamental gardens plus a few chalets for rent by Victoria Cliff Resort. They go for $80 a night, although we’re not sure why you’d stay here unless you really couldn’t tear yourself away from the water slide. A cafe at the entrance serves up a selection of Asian food menu including specials from Thailand, Laos, India and Burma. Dishes average 3,000 kyat and the well-kept dining area has views over the ... please log in to read the rest of this story.