171THAZI TO INLE LAKEACTIVITIESEASTERN MYANMARACTIVITIESEASTERN MYANMARKALAWReturn the way you came until you reach
the intersection with Oo Min St (indicated
by the sign for Pine Hill Resort). Turn left
and continue about ten minutes or so until
you see a group of pagodas on your left; this
is Shwe Oo Min Paya (Oo Min Rd), a natural
cave dripping 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, as indicated by the wooden sign with
gold letters; this and similar signs will lead
you to Hnee Pagoda, home to 500-year-old,
gold-lacquered bamboo Buddha.
After paying your respects, backtrack
along Hnee Pagoda St and turn left at the
intersection. Continue along this road until
you reach the T-junction; turn right on Sait-
ta Thukha St and after about ten minutes or
so you’ll merge with Thidar St just behind
Hsu Taung Pye Paya. Trekking
Almost everyone who comes to Kalaw goes
trekking in the hills. The town is surrounded
by Buddhist pagodas, hilltop viewpoints and
the peaceful villages of the Palaung, Danu,
Pa-O, Taung Yo and Danaw tribes, all set in
a gorgeous landscape of forest-capped hills.
The level of development varies as you
move from village to village. Some tribes
wear traditional clothing and live without
electricity or running water, while their im-
mediate neighbours watch European foot-
ball on satellite TV. The standard of living
for tribal people across the region has been
raised by development projects run by the
UN and other international NGOs. Most
villagers depend primarily on farming, but
some subsidise their income by making
handicrafts and providing meals and accom-
modation for visiting trekkers.
The most popular trek is undoubtedly
the two- to four-day trek to Inle Lake (for
details, see our boxed text on p 172 ). A less
common route is the multi-day trek to Pin-
daya, via Taung Ni. Popular destinations for
one-day or overnight treks around Kalaw
include the Myin Ma Hti Cave, the Pa-O vil-
lages south of Lamaing, and the Pa-O, Danu
and Taung Yo villages near Myin Dike train
station. Another popular route runs south-
west from Kalaw to the Palaung villages of
Ywathit and Tar Yaw and the Viewpoint, a
rustic, Nepali-run restaurant with sweeping
views over the hills. If you’re interested in
nature more than culture, Moteh, who can
be found at the Viewpoint, off ers a day or
overnight ‘jungle’ trek through a protected
forest. Trekkers sleep in the woods or stay
overnight at a Taung Yo village; contact
Ramu at Golden Lily Guest House (p 173 ) for
details on this trek.
On single-day treks, the only equipment
you need is a pair of good walking shoes.
Meals are usually included in the price of the
trek, but you should buy and carry your own
drinking water. Trekking goes on year-round,
but expect muddy conditions during the rainy
season (approximately June to October).
Trekking without a guide is not recom-
mended – the trails are confusing, theKalaw
æSights
1 Aung Chan Tha Zedi ............................C2
2 Hsu Taung Pye Paya ...........................B2
3 Market ..................................................C2
4 Thein Taung Paya ................................ C1ØActivities, Courses & Tours
5 Ever Smile ............................................ C1
6 Sam's Trekking Guide ......................... C1ÿSleeping
7 Dream Villa Motel Kalaw .....................B2
8 Eastern Paradise Motel ....................... B1
9 Golden Kalaw Inn .................................A2
10 Golden Lilly Guest House.................... A1
11 Honey Pine Hotel ................................. B1
12 New Shine Hotel .................................. B1
13 Parami Motel........................................B2
14 Winner Hotel Kalaw ............................. B1úEating
15 3N South Indian Food ......................... C1
16 Everest Nepali Food Centre................B2
FMD Indian Food........................ (see 20)
Morning Star .............................. (see 22)
17 Pyae Pyae Shan Noodle ...................... A1
18 Sam's Family Restaurant....................B2
Tet Nay Win Teahouse .............. (see 23)
19 Thirigayha Restaurant ........................ A1
20 Thu Maung Restaurant ....................... C1ûüDrinking
21 Golden Wing.........................................C2
22 Hi Snack & Drink..................................B2
23 Ma Hnin Si Teahouse ..........................C2þShopping
24 Rural Development Society
Shop...................................................C2