Hpa-An is one of the places in Myanmar on the east bank of the Thanlwin River with stunning views I wanted to visit. It is not only because of one of my friend’s hometowns but also of its untouched natural beauty. Limestone mountains and Stupas surround it at the top of almost every hill. It is home to the 722-meter-high Zwegabin mountain. This mountain is crowned by a stupa which is said to contain the hair of the Buddha. Like all other famous destinations in Myanmar, Hpa An is no different, jam-packed with caves, pagodas, and stupas.
Like all other famous destinations in Myanmar, Hpa An is jam-packed with caves, pagodas, and stupas. However, locals are more approachable here, easy to get attention, and people got the time; they are friendly, making it easy to start a conversation.
Getting to Hpa-An
By Road From Thailand
Take a Nok Air flight from Don Mueang (Bangkok) (DMK) To Mae Sot (MAQ). Then, take a taxi or shared ride from the airport to the Mae Sot land. Once you cross the friendship bridge between the borders on foot, you are in Myawaddy, Myanmar. A major section of the highway to Hpa-An (81 miles) or Mawlamyine is new, and plenty of shared and private rides are available depending on the time of the day.
By Road From Yangon
I took a private car to Hpa-An from Yangon with a two-day stop at Golden Rock Temple (Kyaiktio). Overall the road trip was smooth and exciting, with many new experiences. I heard the bus ride is comfortable but long. It can take anywhere from 6-9 hours to cover 180 miles between Rangon and Hpa-An.
By Air from Yangon to Mawlamyine
There are flights available to Mawlamyine airport (MNU) service by Myanmar Airlines, the closest airport from Hpa-an, about 35 miles away, but not daily, so check the services online and contact your travel agent for this.
Getting Around
To get to all the locations around Hpa-An, the simplest thing to do is hire a Tuk-Tuk from the town center, or another option is to rent a motorbike; both have pros and cons. It is difficult to hit all the locations quickly unless you know the language well. On the other hand, it is a small town, so getting lost a few times will also reward you by discovering an exciting part of the town that is usually not on the typical tourist route. Tuk-Tuk cost for the day is about 20,000 ( US$ 15.00 approx) kyat, and the motorbike cost is about 8,000 kyat ( US$ 6.00).
Things to do in Hpa-An
Here is the list of temples, pagodas, and caves I saw as part of Pagoda and Cave hopping: Bayne Nyi Cave, Yathae Pyan Cave, Kawgoon Cave, Kaw Ka Taung cave, Kyauk Kalat Pagoda, Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda, Chan Thar Gyi Buddha Temple, Zwedabin Pagoda, Lumbini Garden, Kan Thar Yar lake. I am posting a few pictures, you will find more details on my Hpa-An Pagoda and Cave hopping post.
Explore The City Center and Surrounding
There are great views of Zwegabin from the attractive Kan Thar Yar lake (a 15-minute walk from the center of Hpa An). In addition, you can find many teahouses and restaurants on Zaydan Road in the center of Hpa An. For authentic Asian food, the Strand Road riverfront is worth a visit. There are also a few beer bars near the Mawlamyine pier with a great view.
Hiking Zwegabin Mountain
If you have had enough of temples in Bagan and want to do something else in Hpa-An, consider taking the challenge to climb to the top of Zwegabin mountain. You should do it early in the morning for a beautiful Sunrise scene and avoid daytime heat. Furthermore, planning your start time is important as the hike may take between 2 to 3 hours, depending on your physical condition. The view from the monastery at 2,369 feet elevation (722 m) is breathtaking. But make no mistake, getting there is a difficult task, not recommended for everyone.
A Quick Stop at Lumbini Gardens
With over thousands of Buddha statues, the Lumbini Garden is a great attraction at the base of Mount Zwekabin. I combined this trip with the monastery at the back of the garden. It is also the entrance to go to the top of Mount Zwekabin. I heard that a cable car project is planned for pilgrims to go straight to the top of the famous mountain from the base.
The road to Kyone HtawWaterfall
Alternatively, take a long drive through the remote countryside and visit Kyone Htaw Waterfall in Kayin state. The area suffered a lot from civil war for more than sixty-five years. When I visited, we had to go through multiple security checkpoints. This untouched area is a great place to explore if you can go through the security checkpoints. This area has a lot of natural wonders to visit; this waterfall is one of the fantastic places.
By the Thanlyin River, 70 km north of Hpa-An, a small town called Myaing Gyi Ngu got unspoiled natural beauty and many temples and pagodas lined up by the river with a spectacular view of the countryside. I was surprised to meet a few friends and welcoming people during my visit.
We stopped by the Thanlyin River in Myaing Gyi Ngu village and visited Taung Ka Lay pagoda.
Visit Night Market to Sample Street Food
Like most Asian cities, Hpa-An also has a night market on the scenic lake, Kan Thar Yar. It is a great way to sample street food; it’s packed with a delicious wide variety of local food, but some may look exotic to most western tourists.
Where to stay in Hpa-an, Myanmar
Keinnara Hpa-An, Myanmar
Located in Hpa-an, 9 miles from Shwe Yin Mhyaw Pagoda, Keinnara Hpa-An has accommodations with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar, and a garden. This 4-star hotel offers room service and a concierge service. In addition, the hotel provides an outdoor pool, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi is available. The area is famous for hiking and cycling, and car rental is available at the hotel. The nearest airport is Mawlamyine Airport, 32 miles from the accommodation.
Soe Ko Ko Motel Hpa-An
Located in Hpa-an, a 16-minute walk from Shwe Yin Mhyaw Pagoda, Soe Ko Ko Motel Hpa-An features a garden view and a shared lounge; the 1-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property has a 24-hour front desk, room service, and guest luggage storage. The nearest airport is Mawlamyine Airport, 35 miles from the hotel.
My Opinion and Last Word
Have you been to Hpa-an, Myanmar? Any cool tips to share?
I loved being in Hpa-an Myanmar, and want to go back again. I hope my story has motivated you to visit Myanmar.
Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.
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Hi there, thanks for your helpful info. Just wondering how you can get through the security gate to visit the Waterfalls when foreigners aren’t allowed.