Mawlamyaing is the capital city of Mon State. Once it was the capital of Mon Kingdom which had flourished from the 3rd century BC to the 11th century AD, stretching across Thailand and Cambodia through centuries. The Mon, number 3 million. You can visit there by car or train. They have their own culture and dialect.
Kyaikhto is an ideal place for pilgrims. Mawlamyaing is famous for the Shwesandaw Pagoda, Mawlamyaing Market and Gaungsay Island at mid-river. Gaungsay means washing the head of the kings in those days. Mawlamyaing is also a seaport.

If you have the time, you should visit there and proceed to Thanphuzayat town, a town famous for the Allied Cemetery of Allied soldiers who fell in the construction of railroad form Thanphuzayat to Thailand during the Japanese occupation between 1942-45. You can also visit Mudon, Kyaikmaraw and Kyaikkhami mid-water Pagoda at Setse Beach.