Located 4 mi/6 km from the village of Thandwe (Sandoway) in Rakhine state, Myanmar's most famous beach has become a tourist hot spot as the palm-thatched bungalows make way for high-end resorts. Lined by palm trees and deep blue waters, the 1.8-mi/3-km white-sand Ngapali Beach is said to be named for Naples, Italy, by a homesick Italian. Snorkeling, fishing and golf outings can be arranged at most hotels; the fresh catch there reportedly ranks among the country's top cuisine.
The nearby airport at Thandwe serves all domestic carriers. (There are rumors this may be upgraded to an international terminal, bankrolled in large part by Tay Za, Myanmar's richest tycoon.) Ngapali Beach is 175 mi/281 km northwest of Yangon.
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