Kyaikkami is formerly known as Amherst, named after William Amherst, 1st Earl Amherst, then governor-general. It is situated on a peninsula about 48 km (30 mi) south of the town of Mawlamyine. It is a popular destination for local pilgrims and some tourists. The town has an interesting pagoda (Kyaikkami Ye Le Paya) just constructed on the sea, using the natural foundation of its ocean reefs, which is connected with the corridor to the beach and always attracts the people for the festival of donations over the sea-tides.