Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Jungle King
TREKKING
MAP
(Golden Lily Guest House, 5/88 Nat Sin St; 7am-9pm)
Based out of Golden Lily Guest
House, the family here have been leading treks in the area for decades.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
WALKING AROUND KALAW
Although trekking in the hills around Kalaw without a guide is not recommended,
there are some interesting and easy-to-find sights just outside town that can be
tackled in the form of a self-guided, half-day walk.
Starting at the market, head south on Min St, continuing to University St and
turning southwest (right) at the roundabout-like junction (the park will be on your
left). Following the hilly, pine-lined road, and veering left at the junction after the
Pine View Inn, it should take 10 minutes or so to reach
Christ the King Church
(University Rd;
, which was run by the same Italian priest from
daylight hours)
1931 to 2000.
Return the way you came until you reach the intersection with Oo Min St. Turn
left and continue about 10 minutes or so until you see a group of pagodas on your
left; this is
Shwe Oo Min Paya
(Oo Min Rd; daylight hours)
, a natural cave drip-
ping with golden Buddha statues (and also just dripping - watch your footing on
the slippery marble pathways).
After exploring the caves, continue along the road until you reach a T-junction.
Turn right and follow the wooden signs with gold letters that lead you to
Hnee Paya
(Hnee Pagoda St;
, home to a 500-year-old, gold-lacquered bam-
daylight hours)
boo Buddha.
After paying your respects, backtrack along Hnee Pagoda St and turn left at the
intersection. Continue along Circular Rd (West) until you reach the T-junction; turn
right on Saitta Thukha St and after about 10 minutes or so you'll merge with Thidar
St just behind
Hsu Taung Pye Paya
MAP
.
Sleeping
Kalaw has a generous spread of hotels and guesthouses. Few offer air-conditioning - in
this climate they don't need to - but some offer heaters for the winter nights, when the
temperature has been known to drop perilously close to freezing.
