Thaton
Thaton is located due east of Yangon (Rangoon) , across the Gulf Mottama (Martaban). Thaton was an important center of once flourishing Mon Kingdom of ‘Suvannabhumi’ established in the 3rd Century B.C. Today Thaton sites on the main road and rail line that stretches from Bago to Mottama and it has lost much of its former grandeur and importance, little of ancient Thaton is visible as the modern town has been built over the old sites.
According to history, the raise of Theravada Buddhism start from Thaton. The missionaries sent by the Buddhist king Asoka of India, introduced the Buddhism to Thaton. In 11th Century, Shin Arahan, a monk from Thaton carried the Theravada Buddhism to Burmese kingdom of Bagan. In 1057 Thaton was captured by king Anawrahta of Bagan.