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Hpa-an is a small town (pop. 75,141 as of 2015) in Kayin State in Southeastern Myanmar.

Understand

Hpa-an is the capital of Kayin State. It is surprisingly underdeveloped given its relative proximity to Mawlamyine and Yangon but this can be explained by the fact that the area has been in conflict with the Government for many years and has only recently become relatively peaceful. With the expected completion of the Greater Mekong Subregion East-West Corridor at the end of 2015, when improvements to the the road between Mae Sot in Thailand and Mawlamyine are due to be finalised, Hpa-an will have great prospects to export to Thailand, and the town and surrounding region are likely to boom.

Get in

  • Mawlamyine Bus (no air-con) is about 2 hr, 1,000 kyat. There is also a boat available from Mawlamyine to Hpa-an for 70,000 kyat (private charter) or 8,000 kyat per person (shared) leaving from 1 Hpa-an Jetty and taking about 3 h.
  • The bus from Myawaddy is about 5,000 kyat and takes 3-5 h. There are also many shared taxis running between Hpa-an and Myawaddy for 10,000 kyat per person.
  • Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) Bus with air-con is about 4 hr, 5-7,000 kyat.
  • Buses also come in from Yangon (Aung Mingalar Highway Station, 6 h, about 5,000 kyat) and Bago. However, many of them, also coming from Bagan, Naypyidaw and Mandalay, go directly to Mawlamyine through 2 Thaton. Nevertheless, from the 3 Golden Pagoda in Thaton it is easy to catch a pickup (1,500 kyat) or bus (2,000 kyat) to Hpa-an. Also, 4 trains stop in Thaton, but not Hpa-an.

The 5 Clock Tower is the main transport hub for travelers. Shared taxis and buses leave and stop here. The area is spotted with numerous ticket sellers.

There is also the official 6 Sat Pyit Kwin Bus Terminal, just in case you do not get dropped off at the clock tower or are keen to get your bus ticket first-hand.

Get around

Especially around the market and the ferries, plenty of motorbike-taxis and trishaws are available. Do not pay more than 1,000 kyat for destinations within the city. Trips to the countryside for a couple of hours should not cost more than 5,000 kyat for a trishaw.

See

  • 1 Shweyinhmyaw Paya. This pagoda at the north-west end of town has nice views of the sunset. You can watch from a viewing tower or at the side of the river next to the pagoda.
  • 2 Kan Thar Yar Lake. This lake in the lower part of the city and its wooden bridge are recommended in the evening.


Hpa-an is famous for its numerous surrounding caves, mountains and green planes. Most guesthouses organise tours to those (like Soe Brothers and Golden Sky) - full-day trips cost 30,000 kyat (for up to 6 people). In case you arrive late, the Bat Cave evening tour is a highly recommended choice. However, you can also easily explore everything for yourself by renting a motorbike (about 6,000 kyat depending on the season from many guesthouses, Soe Brothers, Galaxy Hotel, Lwin Pyar Guesthouse or Good Luck Motorbike Rental next to Soe Brothers). It takes about a day (without the 4 h climb of Zwegabin mountain) for fuel of about 1,000-1,500 kyat. No road or bridge toll is required with a (motor)bike.

Leaving Hpa-an early at 8:30 a.m. and returning around 7 p.m. possible tours could be:

  1. Kaw Ka Taung Cave, Mat Ka Na Bridge & Village, Saddar Cave coming in from 7 Ein Du village (go east from the GPS marker and follow the main road south), from Saddar Cave go southwest (but turning into north) using the gavel road back to the main road, which then leads 1.5 km north by the 90° turn to Yae Ta Khon swimming pool, after another 2.6 km north the Zwegabin mountain and Lumbini Garden to its southwestern feed (and climb the mountain if your have time), next Kyauk Kalap to the west, then Kawgoon Cave as well as Ya-The-Byan Cave, and last but not least the Bat Cave for a lasting sunset & bat experience.
  2. For a less intensive tour try Ya-The-Byan Cave (monkeys), Kaw Goon Cave, Kyauk Kalat, Lumbini Garden, lunch break (1,500-2,000 kyat) at Yae Ta Khon pool, Mat Ka Na Village, Kaw Ka Taung Cave.


Here is a list of the sights (of which many are caves) in the surrounding area:

  • 3 Kaw Ka Taung Cave (Follow the main road east (that turn south later) from the Clock Tower for 10.5 km). This is a small and low cave built using tiles and filled with numerous small and big Buddhas. Bring a torch since there is something in the end to explore. Going further just by the cave, after 200 m there is a nice swimming pool with very clear water from the mountain and hundreds of fish in it, circled by half a dozen restaurants right next to beautiful rice fields. Take a swim and get off the salt.
  • 4 Mat Ka Na Bridge & Village (Further into the countryside along the main track by Kaw Ka Taung Cave). Sometimes also spelled Lat Ka Na. This concrete bridge is a famous and picturesque destination, but take care for there are no rails but just wet rice fields to both sides. Explore the village behind the bridge.
  • 5 Saddar Cave (200m east of the Clock Tower take the second main road (Ka Lar Tan St) south for 14.3 km to the 90° turn, 400 m after which there is a gravel road marked with a small green sign pointing right/south towards the cave. Alternatively, coming from Ein Du village go southeast and simply ask for the way to the cave. Also, see GPS details above in the tour description.). A huge cave filled with a Buddha face looking rock, a reclining Buddha statue, a pagoda and many more Buddhist items. There is lighting nowadays but do not forget (ǃ) to bring along your shoes when entering the cave, to walk further and through after the pagoda part (around 500 m). At the other end there are boats waiting for a nice trip on the lake and another cave (about 1,000 kyat). Alternatively, you can eat something at the nearby restaurant. 1,000 kyat donation demanded.
  • 6 Yae Ta Khon (200m east of the Clock Tower take the second main road (Ka Lar Tan St) south for 12.8 km (before the 90° turn)). A nice swimming pool in a cool surrounding. Unfortunately, women are not allowed to swim in the upper pool. Following up the hill to the right of the pool there are many white pagodas standing in a geometrical and quite picturesque order.
  • 7 Lumbini Garden (2.6 km north of Yae Ta Khon). A nice looking "garden" with 300-400 sitting and quadratically placed Buddhas at the foot of Zwegabin mountain.
  • 8 Zwegabin mountain. From the top it offers a spectacular 360° views of the surrounding planes, especially when the air is still clear, i.e. in the morning and during wet season. It takes up to 4 h to walk up the 723 m mountain and down again. Bring enough water for the climb and heat. There are at least two main tracks, one leading up north from "Lumbini Garden" and another one going down and east towards the main road that serves Kaw Ka Taung Cave, Ein Du village and Saddar Cave. However it will be hard to use both tracks if you come with rented motorbike. Interestingly it is possible to spend the night at the top, but bring a sleeping bag and mattress.
Kyauk Kalat in rainy season
  • 9 Kyauk Kalat. A monastery in the middle of an artificial lake filled with uncountable amounts of small (jumping around) and big fish (sticking out their mouths). It contains a pillar-like and interestingly stable or to say impossibly still standing rock with a pagoda mounted on top. Looks very nice for a couple of pictures. The rock can be climbed. Before the lake another golden temple with a nice looking Buddha statue can be visited. Free.
  • 10 Kaw Goon Cave (After crossing the bridge towards Thaton go left/southwest and drive 3.8 km until the end of the road.). Besides the Saddar Cave, this is also a very famous cave and worth the visit, causing the steep price. The rock carvings are said to originate from the 13th century. If you are not keen to pay the entrance, climb the close lookout for free. Watch out for the monkeys. 3,000 kyat "donation".
  • 11 Bat Cave (9 km away from the city. Take the first "road" to the right directly after the end of the bridge towards Thaton before the control point. Drive until the gate and walk the rest until the end passing by the temple. Be especially careful when driving back in the dark.). This is a great experience and impressive nature spectacle when an endless stream of 100,000s of bats come flying out of their cave at sunset (5-5:30 p.m.). Bring patience and a torch (for the walk back). Go a bit earlier and climb up the nearby hill in front of the cave with a pagoda ontop to have a stunning view of the river and countryside. About 5,000 kyat for a taxi to get there and back from Hpa-an. It can also be booked as a tour with most of the guest houses, e.g. Soe Brothers Guesthouse. 500 kyat for the caretaker.
  • 12 Ya-The-Byan Cave (On the road towards Kaw Goon Cave from the bridge after 2.5 km take the road to the west, straight for another 2.5 km). The entrance to this cave is 116 feet above sea level. Stemming back from the 17th century. With three Buddha images (standing and sitting), nearly 5 feet in height. It is located close to the village with the same name.
  • 13 Bayin Nyi Cave (22 km from the bridge on the way to Thaton). Placed in a beautiful surrounding with a nearby lake and pagoda.

Do

  • Not much to do in the city itself except for the beautiful surroundings outside of the city.
  • Having said that, you can still take a boat across the river to walk up a mountain (1.5h), or to Hpa Pu and learn something about the history and name of Hpa-an.
  • Rent a bicycle to go around the city and to visit the Bat Cave. For the rest however a tour or motorbike is highly recommended due to variety of and distance between all sights.
  • Take a boat from Hpa-an to Mawlamyine for a picturesque and slow trip down the river. You can sometimes charter a private boat. Ask at Soe Brothers to see about availability (price is 8000 kyats). The boat will only run if it has already been chartered by tourists to come up from Mawlamyine; if so, they'll take you back to Mawlamyine. The charter from Mawlamyine to Hpa-an is 70,000 kyat for the whole boat. The trip takes about 3 h.
  • Hair dresser: Get a new haircut for 1,500 kyat. The wash is another 1,500 kyat and includes a head massage. Shwe Wad Boy and Lady Hair Beauty Spa in Phula Min Supermarket 3rd floor (mall). No English spoken but they will understand what you want.

Buy

  • 1 Myo Ma Zay Gyi Market (Across the mosque near Soe Brothers Guesthouse). Everything is sold here from cosmetics to clothing to fruits to gold.

Eat

  • Soe Brothers Guesthouse has maps and can recommend a good Chinese restaurant.
  • Meat-lovers can find a cheap meal in nearly every house in the evening, small family run food-stalls.
  • At the central market (Myo Ma Zay Gyi Market) opposite the mosque, some street stands sell (extremely cheap) soup with stuffed tofu and stuffed tomatoes (200 kyat for the soup, 100 kyat for each stuffed tofu/tomato). This place is also recommended for breakfast. Otherwise just walk around; many places prepare street food in the evening.
  • 1 Khit Thit, Zay Tan St (Across the street from Lucky Restaurant). Quite expensive for Myanmar, but a big selection of tasty food and big portions. 2,000-6,000 kyat (vegetarian/meat).
  • 2 Lucky Restaurant, Zay Tan St (Across the street from Khit Thit). Good food, good beer, nicer atmosphere and decoration than Khit Thit. 1,000-2,000 kyat (vegetarian/meat).
  • 3 San Ma Tau Restaurant, Main Rd (650 m east of the Clock Tower turn right), 058 21 802. Great ratings on Google. Lots of side dishes and unlimited veggie food. The fish curry is really good. Serves delicious coconut jaggery with sesame seeds. 3,000 kyat for rice & 2 curries.
  • Shwe Htone Maung Cafe (Ask the locals). 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Praised for its great breakfast including variations of noodles and bananas. Also try the vermicelli.
  • New Day Bakery, Bogyoke St (Across from where you catch the bus.). Serves fresh (not instant) coffee for a cheap price. They have a great variety of different coffee shakes, iced coffee, frappucino, and fresh fruit juices. 600+ kyat for coffee and fresh juices.

Drink

A "sophisticated" traveler community including bars and clubs has yet to develop. Some shops, e.g. the one opposite Galaxy Motel, sell alcohol.

Sleep

Budget

  • 1 Than Lwan O 2 Guesthouse, 2 Thida St (Right next to the Galaxy Motel, purple building.), 058 21513. They have a few in-expensive single rooms, and are very helpful even giving out area maps like Soe Brothers. Common room to the more quiet back, which is great for meeting new people. WiFi & Air-con. 8/10/12/15,000 kyat (sgl,dbl,twin,en-suite).
  • 2 Soe Brothers Guesthouse, No.2/146 Thitsar St, 058 21372, 09 49771823, . Basic, grotty rooms with shared baths. Private rooms are better, but still worse value for money than at Golden Sky Guesthouse. No Internet, no breakfast.
    However, this remains to be the most competent tour advisor in town, renting motorbikes (6,000 kyat) and bicycles (1,000 kyat) including a great map, as well as organising various inexpensive tours.
    $7/14/16/20 (sgl/shared dbl fan/shared dbl air-con/private dbl air-con).
  • 3 Golden Sky Guesthouse, 2 West Thidar Ward. Nice, clean, spacious rooms with TV and even small balconies. The more expensive rooms are basically identical, but have a view to the surrounding mountains. Free WiFi. They have several chill-out places, including a terrace with an awesome view over the surrounding countryside and mountains. The owners are a bit stern-looking, but appear to be nice. 10-20,000 kyat.
  • 4 Galaxy Motel (Corner of Thisar Road and Thida Road), 058 21347, 09 5661863. Nice, clean and quiet 3storey hotel next to the market with spring mattresses, hot water, private bathrooms, WiFi and air-condition. Breakfast included, either continental or local. No real common area to meet other travelers but the staff is very helpful. $16/22 (sgl/dbl).
  • Tiger Hotel, 058 21392. Clean room with new fittings though the water is a bit rusty. Price includes breakfast, air-con, and TV. $20/25 (sgl/dbl).

Mid-range

  • 5 Parami Hotel, 304, Paya Road (At the corner of Ohn Daw Street). Used by tour groups. Price includes breakfast, air-con and TV (Burmese language only). The Tripadvisor rating is only 2.5 of 5 stars. $30-35 double.
  • 6 Hotel Angels Land, 4/600, Padauk Road, 09 566 0830. It used to be a good option but is quite overpriced nowadays.

Upmarket

  • 7 Hotel Zwe Ka Bin, National Highway 85 (Right after the Thaton / Hpa-an / Mawlamyine junction south of the city near the river), 058 22556. Impressive but not cheap hotel with a huge cliff in the back and rice fields to the other side. Named after the famous and close-by mountain. In high season it can be hard to book a room. Cafeteria, WiFi, lobby & organised tours. 84,000 kyat.

Go next

  • Mawlamyine is famous for the biggest reclining Buddha statue of Myanmar, and it is the 3rd biggest city of Myanmar. The bus (no air-con) is about 2 hr, 1,000 kyat and starts 8 northwest of the Clock Tower. Or 3 h by boat at 8 a.m. for 8,000 kyat per person or 70,000 kyat charter, ask at your guesthouse.
  • Most Kyaiktiyo (famous for the Golden Rock) buses stop only at Kyaikto from where you have to take further transportation (pick-up) to get to Kinpun ("base camp"), from where the regular and pricey rollercoaster trucks go up to Kyaiktiyo with the Golden Rock. Most of the (budget) hotels are located at Kinpun. There are some direct buses to Kinpun, just ask for it. Bus with air-con is about 4 hr for 5-7,000 kyat.
  • Bago is famous for the highest pagoda in the world, the Shwemawdaw Pagoda. The bus is 5-10,000 kyat and takes 4-5 h.
  • Yangon All day, but more in the morning. 6 h. 5,000 kyat.
  • Myawaddy at the Thai border is a common destination for travelers leaving Myanmar for Mae Sot or Bangkok. Shared taxis are 10,000 kyat and buses 5,000 kyat. Many departures are in the morning.


This city travel guide to Hpa-an is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.