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HOW
TO GET THERE
It can be
reached in 8 hours drive from Yangon. In the north a
road leads to Thandaung from Toungoo in Bago Division.
Mawchi-Mawchi road passes through the Kayin State. In
the south, the Yangon-Mottama Road branches out to Pha-an
via Thaton and Myaing Galay. There is another road
from Mawlamyine to Pha-an. Kayin State still has no
rail service but it is well provided with natural
waterways. The Thanlyin river is one of the major
transport routes. River boats from Mawlamyine can sail
upstream to Shwegun in the north of Pha-An, the
capital. Along the Ataran river boats are able to
connect Kya-In-Seik-Gyi with Mawlamyine. Visitors to
Pha-An normally arrive by road from Thaton on Yangon -
Mawlamyine highway. Some tourists come by boat from
Mawlamyine. |
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PHA
AN
The small capital of Kayin State is only
recently accessible for tourists - either
by boat from Mawlamyine or by car from
Kyaiktiyo - and still unknown to many
travellers, but very well known among
Buddhist pilgrims who have to be strictly
on vegetarain food while travelling to
this area. Their destination is the
revered monk Thar Manya, who lives on top
of of the Tharmanya Hill.
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Kyautkalab in Pha An
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MUSEUM:
On the other side of the lake, just cross the bridge, is
a small museum displaying Karen Culture. |
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THAMAYANA MONASTERY
Thamanya Hill is located 23 miles south-east of Hpa-an beside
the Hpa-an - Kawkareik road. This place is very famous for
the most venerable monk "Thamanya Sayardaw", passed away in
2003. Pilgrims all over the country come to pay homage so it
is always full of pilgrims and devotees. |
MT. ZWEGABIN:
The Zwekabin Hill has a very unusual shape, which, once
seen, is not easily forgotten. Rises around 650 Meter
steeply from the plains. A pagoda is on top for those
who are fit enough to walk up to the top. It takes app.
2 hours, but the view over the river and the plains will
compensate you for the strenuous walk. There is also a
monastery on the top. |

Mt.Zwegabin in Kayin State.
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KAWGUN CAVE:
Kawgun cave is located near Kawgun village, which is two miles
distance from Hpa An township. It is a natural lime stone
cave and measures 200 fts height and 300 fts length. The
rock surface is profusely decorated with different kinds of
clay Buddha images and votive tablets. It is a rare cave in
the lower Myanmar. According to the style of the Buddha
images it can be datable to 15th century A.D. Hanthawaddy
period.
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BAYIN NYI CAVE
Bayin Nyi Cave is closer to Thaton and makes an ideal stop on
the way to Yangon. This is another steep Rock in the plains
with a monastery at the foot of the mountain. There is a hot
spring with bathing possibility.
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Bayin Nyi Cave
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THANDAUNG
Soon after the end of the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852,
when Lower Myanmar was annexed, the British using imported
Indian labourers first developed Thandaung as a hill
station.
Thandaung is only 200 miles away from Yangon and can be
reached by car or bus on a half day's journey. If visitors
prefer using the railway, they can ride the train from
Yangon to Taungoo in about six hours, and from Taungoo to
Thandaung it is only 27 miles up by car passing through lush
virgin forests, see cascading mountain streams and climb
gradually to over 4,000 feet, to reach Thandaung.
Thandaung is a very beautiful
hill station and an important tea, coffee and fruit
producing region. It is the landmark of the Kayin state.
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Yangon - Yangon excursions - Bagan - Bagan excursions - Mandalay - Mandalay excursions - Chin State -
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Kayin State - Mon State - Rakhine State - Shan State - Mergui
© 2005 Myriam
Grest Thein
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