[2] It is located about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) inland from the Andaman Sea, about 75 miles (121 km) south of the previous capital, Yangon.

[1] It serves as a center for collecting rice from the surrounding agricultural areas, and is home to a diesel-run power plant, using equipment by the German firm Siemens.

The Mon were the first to settle the city on the Pyapon River, choosing the furthest inland a ship could travel on low tide.

[7] In the early 20th century, Pyapon reclaimed alluvial marshlands for rice cultivation, attracting a large number of settlers.

[6] Since 1878, Pyapon's theatrical troupe has hosted annual performances of the Yama Zatdaw, Myanmar's adaptation of the Ramayana, a Sanskrit epic.