Myanmar (Burma) - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget

Travel Reference

In-Depth Information

KALAW

When it got too hot in the lowlands for

the British during the colonial era, they

retreated to hill stations such as KALAW .

Today the climate is still part of the appeal,

even if it can get a bit chilly at night in

winter, and the town is a base for some

excellent treks to ethnic minority villages.

transport around the site, by motorbike

(K8000-10,000) or tuk-tuk (K25,000).

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

By bus The bus station is around 3km east of the centre.

For Ngapali Beach, avoid the very uncomfortable and slow

buses which only go as far as Taunggok (12hr).

Destinations

Magwe (6 daily; 5hr); Mandalay (2 daily;

13hr); Nyaung U for Bagan (daily; 10hr 30min); Thandwe

for Ngapali Beach (daily; 12hr); Yangon (daily; 7hr).

By train Trains to Yangon (3 daily; 11hr) depart from the

station in central Pyay, just a few metres east of the main

roundabout with its statue of Aung San, although only

the overnight service terminates in the central Yangon

station - the others end up in Kyemyindine, northwest

of the centre. Trains to Bagan (daily; 11hr) depart from

Shwethekar station, around 5km east of Pyay.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Other than the market, which is open

every day but spills out into the streets

when it's Kalaw's turn to host the rotating

market (see box, p.564), there isn't a lot

to do in the town itself besides visit its

pagodas. hese include the mirrored

Aung Chan Tha Zedi in the centre and

small Thein Taung Paya , uphill from the

Union Highway and notable mainly for

the views back towards the town.

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ACCOMMODATION AND EATING

There is a night market between the main roundabout

and the waterfront, where you can fill up on barbecue and

noodle dishes for around K1000 per person.

Hline Ayar Strand Rd. A large restaurant on the river,

serving Chinese dishes from around K3000. It's a popular

place for a beer (draught K750) and there's a singing/

fashion show in the evenings. Daily 10am-11pm.

Myat 222 Bazaar St T 053 25695. The best-value budget

guesthouse in town, although the rooms aren't in great

shape - expect lino floors patched up with parcel tape -

and the owner is a bit too keen to sell day-trips and other

services. The chea pest rooms have fans, shared bathrooms

and no breakfast. $15

Trekking

here are many options for one- or

two-day treks around Kalaw, following

trails through the hills to villages

inhabited by Palaung, Danu, Pa-O,

Taung Yoe and other ethnic groups.

here has been significant deforestation

in the area, and the routes mostly run

past fields and plantations, but

nonetheless these hikes are a great way to

get a glimpse of rural life. Prices start at

around K10,000 per person per day; the

trails can get very muddy during the

rainy season (June to October).

he most popular longer trek is to Inle

Lake (see p.565), which normally takes

three days, although it's possible to shorten

it to two (skipping some of the route by

car) or lengthen it to four. here are many

different routes and finishing points on the

western side of the lake, including Khaung

Dine and Indein (see p.565). Usually one

night is spent in a village home and

another in a monastery; the popularity of

the trek means you're likely to see several

other groups, particularly on the last day

as the routes converge on Inle Lake. A

typical three-day price is K30,000-45,000

per person, depending on group size, plus

K15,000 per group for a boat from the

finishing point to Nyaungshwe. Your

luggage can be transported separately for

K3000-5000 per bag.