Kalaw

Kalaw stands high on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. It is 70 km west of Taungyi. about halfway along the Thazi-Taungyi road. This was a popular hill station in the British days and it is still a peaceful and quiet place. At an altitude of 1320 m it is also pleasantly cool and a good place for hiking amid gnarled pines. bamboo groves and rugged mountain scene.

A former colonial British hill station. this small-town offers cool temperatures (Kalaw sits at 1.300 meters elevation) and plenty of trekking opportunities. The population is a mix of Shan. Indian Muslims. Bamars and Nepalis (Gurkhas retired from British military service). many of whom are missionary educated. Traveling by car. it’s about two hours west of Nyaungshwe on the western edge of the Shan hills.

It lies in Pinmagon Monastery. of Pinmagon Village. Kalaw Township. south of Shan State.

It was estimated to have been established in First Inn-wa Period over 500 years ago. The donors were hard to ascertain and there were no records but its head was sharp upright. its ears were not touching the shoulders and the nether garment was covered for the whole of its lower parts. So it was believed to be historic. It is eight feet four inches high. It is noted for its longevity. its prevention of fire. and its wishgranting powers. Occasionally radiation seemed to come from the pagoda at the front of image. The image is now lacquered and gilded all the way.

Places of interest are Thein Taung Pagoda. Aung Chan Tha Pagoda. Su Taung Pyae Pagoda and the King Church.

Other things to do Shop around for a trek. walk toward temples & churches. meet tribes at the colorful every-5-days market. take the stairs to a temple & a good view of the village. walk up the hill for an even better panorama. a pleasant 1.5 hours trip. taste strawberry lassi. feed birds. breathe fresh air filled with pine trees smell. while on trek. visit coffee. tea or cigar leaves plantations or see elephants at work.

It takes two hours (short way) or four hours through the hills to the village of the Palaung tribe. At first a steep track leads down into a narrow valley where the Palaung cultivate cheroot. tea. damsons and mangoes on the hill.