“HPA-AN CITY” 7km from hotel
The capital of Karen (Kayin) State, Hpa-An is a picturesque town that sits on the eastern bank of the Thanlwin (Salween) river, about 270 kilometres east of Yangon. The setting itself, the surrounding caves and mountains to explore, and the laid back atmosphere are the highlights of the area.
Hpa-An is encircled by dramatic karst mountain scenery which juts from the surrounding plains, and many of these mountains contain large and religiously significant caves.
MUST SEE AROUND HPA-AN
“MOUNT ZWEKABIN” 1km from Hotel
The tallest of the limestone mountains that ring Hpa-an is Mt Zwegabin, which as well as being a respectable 2372ft is home to spirits and saintly souls. The two-hour hike to the summit is demanding – up many steps and with monkeys dogging your progress – but once you're at the top the rewards are plentiful.
The summit takes in staggering views, a small monastery and a stupa containing a hair of the Buddha's.
The descent down the eastern side of the mountain takes around 1½ hours. The construction of the cable car traversing Mt Zwekabin is about to be completed.
“KYAUK KALAT PAGODA” 5km from hotel
Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda balances on the peak of a limestone dominating the beautiful manmade lake located near the Mount of Zwegabin in Hpa-An. This pagoda that defy all gravity rules is especially famous at sunset with the Mount Zwegabin in the background.
“TAUNG WINE MOUNTAIN” 22km from hotel
8 miles of paved and unpaved road east of Hpa An, the Taung Wine Pagoda sits atop a limestone mountain.
Smaller than Mount Zwekabin and less frequented by tourists, the trek up Taung Wine Mountain, a steep dirt path cutting through dense jungle, skips none of the thrills. Near the top, a sheer iron staircase with spectacular 360 degree views leads to a weathered stupa.
“SADDAN CAVE” 14km from hotel
This football-stadium-sized cave is simply breathtaking, its entrance dominated by dozens of Buddha statues, a couple of pagodas and some newer clay wall carvings. With the cave now illuminated, you can scramble for 15 or 20 minutes through chambers as high as a cathedral, past truck-sized stalactites and, in places, walls of crystal.
As you emerge at the cave’s far side the wonders only increase: the burst of sunlight reveals a secret lake full of ducks and flowering lilies hidden in a bowl of craggy peaks. There's another cave on the far side of the lake that's actually half flooded, but local fishers occasionally paddle through it for 10 minutes to yet another lake. You may be able to persuade someone to take you along.
Saddan Cave can be traversed only partially during the rainy season. Come during the dry season (around November to April) for the full experience.
“KAW GOON CAVES” 14km from hotel
Kaw Goon cave is located near Kaw Goon village, which is two miles distance from Hpa An Township and five mile from Marvellous Mountain Lodge. It is a natural lime stone cave and measures 200ft height and 300ft length.
The rock surfaces is profusely decorated with different kinds of clay Buddha images and votive tablets. It is rare cave in the lower Myanmar. Visit Kaw Goon Cave also known as the ‘Cave of the Ten Thousand Buddhas’; Walk through the hidden treasures cave to see more than 2000 votive tablets of Lord Buddha and Mon inscriptions. There are many cultural heritage evidences in Kaw Goon Cave terracotta votive tablets on its interior stone walls, carve statues on limestone & sandstone Buddha statues with mural paintings in ink inscriptions (13th Century AD).
“YA THEA PYAN CAVE” 15km from hotel
Ya Thea Pyan Cave was known in the colonial literature as P'agat Cave. The current name Ya Thea Pyan translates as Hermit Cave (as Ya Thea mean hermit). The cave is in a hill next to Kaw goon Cave.
A concrete staircase leads up to the cave. The entrance chamber contains many Buddhas and a statue of the hermit. Behind the reclining Buddha is a natural pool of ‘holy’ water. The main chamber is large. A route leads down to lower muddy areas. Going up towards the back of the main chamber leads to a very impressive upper entrance, with a couple of wooden ladders to aid progress. There are some huge dry stals at the top, well lit by sunlight.
Beautiful sunset at the back of the caves.
“KAW KA THAUNG CAVE” 15km from hotel
The Kaw Ka Thaung cave, whose entrance is at the foot of a limestone cliff, is located near Hpa-An. It is one of the oldest caves in the country and houses over a thousand images of Buddha that are still sacred for the locals.
Near the end of the path, you’ll reach an inviting spring-fed swimming hole and another water-filled cave that also serves as a swimming hole.
Splitting from the path before the first cave, a long bridge leads to Lakkana Village, a picturesque Kayin village, the backdrop to which includes Mt Zwekabin.
“BAYIN NYI CAVE” 32km from hotel
Bayin Nyi Cave is home to an elaborate and sprawling temple, with plenty of almost Disney-esque colored buildings laid out at the foot of sheer limestone cliffs.
Hot springs and bathing pools for men and women make this another reason to stop by.
“BAT CAVE” 10km from hotel
Bat Cave, one of the must-see destination in Hpa An, the home of an endless stream of over 100,000s of bats, will sure give adventurous visitors immense satisfaction.
Near Thanlwin river, Bat Cave is a small cave that cannot be entered. Nevertheless, you can absolutely go there when hundreds of thousands of bats flying out of their cave at sunset. When the bats start flying out, they start beating drums so that the bats make interesting patterns in flight not only for five minutes but at least 40 minutes. What a wonderful nature thing!
“HPA-AN NIGHT MARKET” 6km from hotel
Hpa-an's small but good night market unfolds by the side of Kan Thar Yar Lake in the south of town. Popular with the locals, it's fine for barbecue, noodles and dumplings, as well as curries.
“EIN DU VILLAGE” 18km from hotel
Visit Ein Du Karen Village where we can observe beautiful and colorful traditional Karen dress weaving.