Visit Kalaw Myanmar
Kalaw – the former British Colonial Town and the Colours of the Shan Hills is surrounded by mountains, colourful hilltribe villages, rivers, pine woods and bamboo groves, the hill station of Kalaw (1320 m above sea level) sits on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. It’s popular for the cool climate during the summer months, when the rest of Myanmar is significantly hotter and more humid. And it’s well known for trekking. Pyi Daungsu Lun is the main road, along which you’ll find the market, horse-drawn carriages, hotels, trekking companies and restaurants.
Moreover Kalaw was a former British colonial town and you will find a number of churches such as Christ the King church and other British style buildings. Tudor-style houses sit amongst English rose gardens, making an interesting contrast to the traditional Burmese villages that surround the town. But there are also plenty of examples of Asian architecture in Kalaw.
A mix of Shan people, Indian Muslims, Bamars and Nepalis (Gurkhas retired from British military service) form the population. The area around Kalaw is home to the ethnic groups Pa O, Palaung, Taungyo, Dan-u and Ter O, who live scattered across the hills in villages. Every 5 days the hilltribe people join the regular market vendors in Kalaw and make the market grow. And you find an abundance of meat, vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices.
What to see in Kalaw
Thein Taung Monastery: On a hill. A good place for sunset. Take the stairway. Picture of Stairway an more pictures of Thein Taung Monastery..Hsu Taung Pye Paya: Myoma Kyaung Hsu Taung Pyae Pagoda. See picture and .Shwe Oo Min Paya: The walk from the market takes around 30 minutes. Shweumin Pagoda is built inside a natural limestone cave and filled with golden Buddhas. There are some Buddha images inside the cave that were commissioned by King Narapataesithu.Hnee Paya: A 500 year old Buddha image made from laquered bamboo. The pagoda lies to the south part of Kalaw in Pinmagon Monastery of Pinmagon Village and it takes about 10 mins drive from Kalaw. Mam Pagoda. Pinmagon Monastery. which is an old and highly revered pagoda featuring a Buddha image made from woven strips of bamboo. See video. See pictures. Read: T
What to do around Kalaw
As you hike through the countryside you will pass pine woods, bamboo groves, a rugged mountain scene and you will discover hill tribe villages, where the people are warm and welcoming. You will watch them weaving their colourful clothing and roll cigars from the leaves of the Thanatphet trees or harvesting chili, rice or vegetables. Therefore Kalaw is well known for trekking, for example to Inle Lake.
How to arrive in Kalaw
Buses from Bagan leave at 08:00 am and arrive in Kalaw around 14 ; 00 (10,000 Kayt). Buses from Mandalay (13000 Kyat) depart at night and arrive around 2-3 am.Or fly to Heho Aiport and take the train from Heho to Kalaw. The journey from Heho to Kalaw takes around an hour by taxi and costs 30000 Kyats.
