Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SHAN STATE MARKETS
A number of markets in Shan State operate on a rotating five-day cycle, with three or four
markets taking place simultaneously on each day. With the possible exception of the very
touristy Ywama “floating market”, they're fascinating places - particularly early in the
morning-wherepeoplefromremotevillagesselltheirproduceorlivestockandbuyessen-
tial goods. The schedule given here was correct at the time of research, with the last listed
place for each day either on or around Inle Lake, but tour operators, guides and hotel staff
should know of any alterations. The products on sale at most markets are mostly geared to
locals - fruit, veg, clothing, fishing equipment and the like. However, you'll certainly find
fabricsaplenty,includinglongyiandtheheadscarvesusedbylocalminorityladies,andthe
more tourist-oriented markets will have silver implements and cheesy souvenirs too.
Day 1
Kalaw/Shwenyaung/Indein
Day 2
Nyaungshwe/Pindaya/Nampan
Day 3
Than Taung/Heho/Kyone/Taung To
Day 4
Aungban/Taunggyi/Ywama
Day 5
Pwe Hla/Maing Thauk/Phaung Daw Oo Paya.
Thein Taung Kyaung
Accessed from Union Highway • Daily 24hr; museum open on request • Free
For a bit of gentle exercise, take a walk up the covered staircase leading to the
Thein Taung
Kyaung
, a small monastery overlooking the town. Aside from some friendly monks, a few
sleepingorbarkingdogsandtheobligatory“foot-wearingprohibited”signs,there'snotmuch
to see once you've made the ascent; the one exception is a small “museum” featuring ex-
amplesofBuddhistscripts,thoughthisisn'tterriblyinteresting.However,theviewsfromthe
monastery are predictably good, and you'll also have the option of taking off into the hills on
tracks leading behind the complex.
Around Kalaw
There are a couple of diverting sights on Kalaw's hilly periphery; happily, they can be easily
visited in just a couple of hours, even on foot. The loop can be done clockwise or counter-
clockwise, though it's easiest to head for the
Shwe Oo Min Paya
first, via the otherwise un-
remarkable
ChristtheKingChurch
,andthe
HneePagoda
last.Aseriesofwalls,gatesand
barbedwirewillindicatethatmuchoftheareabetweenthecaveandthepagodaisa
military
zone
- it is, in fact, one of only two venues in the land (Pyin Oo Lwin being the other) where
lucky Burmese brass can make the quantum leap to the level of general. The aforementioned
gates are almost always open, though they're occasionally closed so that an inevitably tubby
general can play the final hole of the eerily deserted
golf course
in peace.
