Ngapali beach

Located on the Rakhine coast, near the small town of Thandwe, it is an unspoiled beach, stretching about 6.4 km and offers the blue-green crystal sea at Bay of Bengal, white sand and swaying palm trees as far as the eye can see has long been a favorite seaside destination for domestic and foreign visitors as Myanmar best-known beach resort.

It can be reached by 45 minutes flight northwest from Yangon and in the high season some domestic airlines also connect to it from Bagan or Heho.

All along this coast are lies Asia's undiscovered paradise with a blessing because the beaches remain remarkably pristine. There are no loud beachside bars, no rows of suntan-oiled bodies basking in the sun and no vendors pressing you to buy souvenirs. The origin of its name is unclear, but some believe it was named by a visiting group of Italians, who hailed from Naples, pronounced Napoli in Italy.

There is an 18-hole golf course about 15 minutes' drive from the beach and an elephant camp near the town of Thandwe which is an interesting excursion for those who tire of the sun and sand. Nearby are a couple of fishing villages which are interesting places to visit, either by bicycle or by car. Ngapali Beach is a great place to end a Myanmar tour while relaxing with water, sun and sand amidst peaceful surroundings.