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The small museum houses and displays local handicrafts along with artefacts of the region.
The main sight of Pathein is this Buddhist temple founded (according to local legend) by King Asoka of India in 305 BCE. Bagan's King Alaungsithu raised the height of the stupa to 11 m in 1115 CE, and King Samodogossa raised it to 40 m in 1263. The stupa is now 46.6 m tall, with the topmost layer made of 6.3 kg of solid gold, the middle tier of pure silver, and the third tier of bronze, with some 829 diamonds, 843 rubies and 1,588 semi-precious stones.
The cathedral was built in 1872 and sits in a Catholic educational compound.
Go to the harbour and watch the hustle and bustle of stevedores loading ferries and passengers transiting from the ferry terminals. Many of the town's historic buildings are also located along the waterfront.
A day trip is possible to Myaungmya (pronounced meouw miah), a busy, clean river town with the local pagoda overlooking the river. The town also boasts a church and mosque. You may also take a motorcycle taxi one-way for about 7,000 kyat.