Shampoo Island
| Native name: Script error: The function "langx" does not exist. | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Salween River, Myanmar |
| Length | 900 ft (270 m) |
| Administration | |
Myanmar | |
| Region | Mon State |
Gaung Say Kyun (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), also known as Shampoo Island, Ponzalai or Kok Ponlai in Mon, and Thingyan Kyun) during the Thingyan festival, is a small island located at the confluence of the Salween and Jai rivers between Mottama and Mawlamyine in Mon State, Myanmar. Its name Ponzalai refers to its position between the two rivers.[1][2]
History and cultural significance
According to tradition, the Buddha visited Khaungsay Island during the reign of King Paraminu, when he traveled to Mudon Lake to search for food. On one occasion, due to strong wind and rain while crossing the river, he spent the night on the island, which was then called Ponzalai. The island became associated with the Thingyan New Year festival, which continued as a local custom until the British colonial period. The island is sometimes referred to as Thingyan Kyun in reference to the festival.[3][4]
Historical records also note that the Mon kings valued the waters and resources of the Ponzalai area. During the reign of Min Khaung, requests were sent to the Mon king to provide water from Ponzalai for the royal household.[5]
Geography and features
The island lies closer to Mawlamyine than to Mottama and consists of rocky terrain. It is approximately 900 feet in diameter. Coconut trees, pagodas, and small monasteries are scattered across the island, giving it a picturesque appearance. Many crows roost on the island at night, which led Western visitors to call it Crow Island.[6]
The island was historically used as a telegraph relay point connecting Mottama and Mawlamyine across the Salween River.[7][8]
The island's pagodas and stupas are believed to have been cleared and renovated by military commander U Htaw Lay around 1193 according to inscriptions on the Kyaik Thanlan plain.[9][10]
References
- ↑ Christopher (2019-04-29). "Shampoo Island | Gaung Se Kyun | Mawlamyine | No Guidebooks". Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ Veldwijk, Iris (2020-01-20). "Wandering around Shampoo Island (Gaung Say Kyun), Mawlamyine • Mind of a Hitchhiker". Mind of a Hitchhiker. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ theworldonmynecklace (2024-04-28). "Getting Off the Beaten Path in Mawlamyine, Myanmar". The World on my Necklace. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ Passports, Cheeky (2020-01-30). "Things to do in Mawlamyine and Bilu Island, Myanmar". Cheeky Passports. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ "Mawlamyine". www.tourismmyanmar.org. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ Long, Việt (2015-01-26). "Myanmar Tours Of Treasures, Yangon Surrounding Tours". Vietnam Tours, Indochina Tours to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ "Mawlamyine | Incredible Destination In Myanmar For Culture and Nature". Pro Niti - Myanmar Tour Operator for Adventure & Luxury Experience. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ "Myanmar Gaung-Say-Kyun-Shampoo-Island | Go Globbie". www.goglobbie.com. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ "Mawlamyine - gateway to Myanmar's less traveled south". Travel Badger. 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ↑ "Thailand and Myanmar in particular – Untamed Travelling". https://www.untamedtravelling.com/en. Retrieved 2025-11-25. External link in
|website=(help)
This article "Shampoo Island" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Shampoo Island. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
