Mawlamyine, Myanmar

Capital City

With a population of 289,388, Mawlamyine is Myanmar's fourth-largest city, but its provincial charm can't mask the bureaucratic headaches and tropical downpours that await. The former colonial capital may have a storied past, but these days it's more sleepy backwater than bustling metropolis. While the city boasts cultural attractions like the historic Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, the relentless monsoon season makes getting around a soggy slog. And despite its picturesque setting on the Salween River delta, Mawlamyine's once-thriving port has fallen on hard times. This is a place for the patient traveler content to slow down and soak up the local atmosphere - just be prepared to wade through red tape and thunderstorms.