Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mount Zwegabin
10km south of Hpa-An • Tuk-tuk from Hpa-An K5000; motorbike taxi K2500
From certain angles, the limestone bulk of
Mount Zwegabin
erupts from the landscape like
a giant molar tooth. While it may look impossibly steep from downtown Hpa-An, there are
twobeautifulpathstothesummitofthe725m-highmountain,makingitarewardinghalf-day
hike.
Most people ascend the less direct and more scenic western side of the mountain, along a
trail starting from
Lumbini Garden
, 3km east of Kyauk Kalat Pagoda, where 1100 Buddha
statueshavebeenarrangedinpicturesquerows.Fromhereittakesaroundtwohourstoclimb
the steep and winding path to the summit, with water and drinks available from a single stall
en route and plenty of
macaques
for company. The trail down the eastern flank of the moun-
tain is more direct, with relentless staircases leading to a small restaurant at the foot of the
mountain, from where it's a straight, flat 1km walk to the Myawaddy road. Whichever way
you cross the mountain, it's advisable to arrange a pick-up at the other end to avoid a long
wait.
For many people, staying overnight at the mountaintop monastery to watch sunrise is the
highlightofatriptoHpa-An.Atthetimeofwritingitwaspossibletosleeponmatsinabasic
dormitory
(donation expected), but Hpa-An's immigration department periodically clamps
down on the practice - check at the
Soe Brothers Guesthouse
before you drag your backpack
up here.
Kyauk Kalat Pagoda
10km south of Hpa-An, between Kaw Kyaik and Taw Bon villages • Daily during daylight hours; closed
noon-1pm • Free • Motorbike taxi from Hpa-An K2500, tuk-tuk K5000
