Hpa-An, Myanmar: travel guide
Limestone karst, cave temples and paddy fields in Kayin State
Kayin State's scenic capital set against dramatic limestone karst, where sacred caves adorned with thousands of Buddha statues, the iconic Kyauk Ka Lat pagoda rising from a lake, and rice-paddy sunsets make it one of Myanmar's most photogenic destinations.
About Hpa-An
Hpa-An is the capital of Kayin State in south-eastern Myanmar, set among rice paddies and dramatic limestone hills. It is a small riverside town that has become a base for exploring the surrounding karst landscape.
The Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda, perched on a pinnacle of rock rising from a lake, is the area's best known image. The Saddan Cave and Kaw Ka Thaung Cave hold Buddha statues, and Zwegabin Mountain offers a steep climb to wide views over the plains. Evenings at a viewpoint like Lumbini Garden are a pleasant way to end the day.
It suits adventurous travellers and photographers. The cooler, drier months from roughly November to February are the most comfortable for climbing and cave visits.
- Country
- Myanmar
- Currency
- MMK
- Time zone
- Asia/Rangoon
- Typical trip
- 1-2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Hpa-An
Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda
karst pagoda · 4.9 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Myanmar's most photogenic sites — a slender golden pagoda perched atop a near-vertical limestone pinnacle rising from a mirrored lake, reflected perfectly in the still water at dawn.
Saddan Cave
cave temple · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A massive cathedral-like cave system south of Hpa-An, studded with thousands of Buddha images and lit by natural shafts of light. A boat ride through the flooded chamber emerges into a rice-paddy plain — one of Myanmar's most dramatic cave…
Zwegabin Mountain
mountain · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A dramatic 722-metre limestone mesa rising above the Hpa-An plain, home to a hilltop monastery and 800 Buddha images lining the final steep stairway. The summit rewards with sweeping views of the Salween valley.
Lumbini Garden Viewpoint
garden viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A rice-paddy plain viewpoint at the edge of Hpa-An where the sunset over Zwegabin Mountain and surrounding karst towers is among the most beautiful scenes in Myanmar. Simple teahouses serve snacks at dusk.
Kaw Ka Thaung Cave
cave temple · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A stepped hillside covered in thousands of Buddha images leading to a sacred cave at the summit, with panoramic views of the rice paddies and Thanlwin River below.
Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda
riverside pagoda · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A riverside pagoda complex on the Thanlwin River featuring a large reclining Buddha and a colourful collection of Buddha images and miniature pagodas. Easily combined with a walk along Hpa-An's riverfront at sunset.
Kawgun Cave
Heritage · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Yathaypyan Cave
Nature · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Bayin Nyi Cave
Nature · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Things to do
- Saddan Cave & Rice Paddy Full-Day Tour Nature · 8 h · from MMK 77,200 per person
- Zwegabin Mountain Sunrise Trek Hiking · 5 h · from MMK 44,100 per person
- Karst Cave Circuit by Motorbike Adventure · 4 h · from MMK 39,700 per person
- Thanlwin River Kayaking Water Sports · 4 h · from MMK 83,800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Hpa-An Caves & Karst Full Day 12 h · from MMK 128,000
- Zwegabin Trek & River Morning 8 h · from MMK 115,000
Where to stay in Hpa-An
- Hpa-An Town about MMK 2,200 per night
The small riverside town on the Thanlwin's east bank is the only realistic base in this area. All guesthouses, restaurants and motorbike rentals are here — the cave circuit begins from town.
- Thanlwin Riverside about MMK 3,000 per night
A quiet strip of guesthouses south of the main bazaar with views across the river to the karst peaks. More atmospheric than the centre; a short cycle from the main motorbike rental area.
Hotels
- Hpa-An Hotel 3-star · MMK 45,000 to MMK 90,000 per night
- Parami Hotel Hpa-An 3-star · MMK 35,000 to MMK 75,000 per night
- Soe Brothers Guest House 1-star · MMK 12,000 to MMK 30,000 per night
Where to eat
- Soe Brothers Floating Restaurant Burmese, River Food · about MMK 5,000 per person
- Mommy Restaurant Burmese, Kayin · about MMK 4,000 per person
- San Ma Tau Restaurant Burmese, Kayin · about MMK 3,000 per person
- Hpa-An Hotel Restaurant Burmese, Chinese, International · about MMK 9,000 per person
Getting to Hpa-An
Airport: Mawlamyine (MNU)
How visitors arrive in Hpa-An
- Bus from Yangon By road from Yangon · common
Buses run from Yangon to Hpa-An; there is no train service to the town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from Mawlamyine By road from Mawlamyine · common
Buses and shared transport connect Mawlamyine with Hpa-An; services from Mandalay, Bagan and Naypyidaw usually go via Mawlamyine. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- River boat from Mawlamyine By ferry from Mawlamyine · possible
Shared or chartered boats run from Mawlamyine to Hpa-An jetty. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Shared taxi from Myawaddy By road from Myawaddy · possible
Shared taxis connect the Thai border town of Myawaddy with Hpa-An. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the port to the centre
- Boat from Mawlamyine unconfirmed
A river boat runs between Mawlamyine and Hpa-An; buses cover the same route by road. There is no railway to Hpa-An. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Bus from Yangon
Buses leave Yangon's Aung Mingalar highway station for Hpa-An. Most buses and shared taxis in Hpa-An use the Clock Tower area; the official terminal is Sat Pyit Kwin. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bicycle useful for some trips
Bicycles can be rented in town and are useful for getting around and for reaching the nearby Bat Cave.
- Motorbike Rental
Motorbikes are easy to rent through local guesthouses, which gives a flexible way to reach the sights around Hpa-An.
- Taxi
Motorbike taxis and trishaws are the local taxi options, found near the market and the ferry landings.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Motorbike pre-damage claims
Hpa-An town main street rental shops
Rental shops charge for scratches or damage they claim occurred during your ride. This is widespread with motorbike rentals where road conditions make minor grazes likely.
How to avoid it: Photograph every part of the bike and the engine area before departure. Send photos to yourself (timestamp proof). Use shops recommended by your guesthouse (Soe Brothers has the best reputation).
Cave "donation" extortion
Entry points to Saddan and Kaw Ka Thaung caves
Unofficial gatekeepers position themselves before the real entrance and collect "donations" or "conservation fees" that are not official. They may block access until paid.
How to avoid it: The only legitimate entry fee for Hpa-An caves is the official government-set ticket sold at the proper entrance booth. Do not pay anyone positioned before this booth. If in doubt, walk past.
Best time to visit Hpa-An
- Jan 34°C
- Feb 36°C
- Mar 37°C
- Apr 38°C
- May 34°C
- Jun 30°C
- Jul 29°C
- Aug 29°C
- Sep 31°C
- Oct 34°C
- Nov 35°C
- Dec 34°C
More in Myanmar
Frequently asked questions about Hpa-An
- How many days do you need in Hpa-An?
- A typical trip to Hpa-An is 1-2 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Hpa-An?
- The highest-rated places in our Hpa-An guide are Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda, Saddan Cave, Zwegabin Mountain, Lumbini Garden Viewpoint, Kaw Ka Thaung Cave.
- Where should I stay in Hpa-An?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hpa-An: Hpa-An Town, Thanlwin Riverside.
- How do I get around Hpa-An?
- Ways to get around Hpa-An covered in our guide: Bicycle, Motorbike rental, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Hpa-An?
- Scams reported to us for Hpa-An include Motorbike pre-damage claims; Cave "donation" extortion. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Hpa-An?
- Average daytime highs in Hpa-An run from 29°C in Aug to 38°C in Apr.