Kalaw

Overview

Kalaw is a historic hill town in western Shan State with a laid-back atmosphere, a cool temperature, and picturesque landscapes. At 1,320 meters above sea level, Kalaw is a hill station in Myanmar (Burma) that was constructed by the British during colonial times. Kalaw is renowned for its gorgeous landscape of rolling hills, lush mountains, small local villages, and the vibrant local way of life. The town itself is quite small, but it has a lively downtown area and a market where the greatest restaurants are located. Once every five days, ethnic groups from the nearby hills attend this market. Visitors to Kalaw frequently go on short hikes through beautiful natural landscapes and hill villages in addition to visiting the area's numerous religious sites.

Kalaw - Small hill town

Don’t just listen, let’s come and experience it by yourself to have the best relaxing trip. You can contact Asia Private Travels to have a detailed itinerary and the best support. 

What to do and what to see

You might want to know more about Myanmar travel information about what to do and what to see in Kalaw, don’t worry, let’s take time to find out to have the best Myanmar tour. 

Although destinations like the capital city of Yangon or the well-known temples of Bagan might receive a lot more attention, the quiet hill village of Kalaw is certainly worthwhile to include on your itinerary. Kalaw is situated in Myanmar's Shan state, south of Mandalay. It's not a large city or a town with a lot of tourist attractions, but it's becoming more and more well-known because of its unspoiled beauty and fantastic position for hiking and exploration.

Kalaw trekking

Trekking in Kalaw is one of the most interesting activities, Kalaw to the nearby Inle Lake is one of the most well-liked hikes. Inle Lake, one of Myanmar's most notable sights, is the cultural center of Shan State, a region that stretches from west to east of the country and is home to many villages, hills, and rice terraces. In addition to having stunning mountain scenery, Inle Lake is also the ethnic home of the Inthar tribe (an ethnic minority of Myanmar). Inthar is the word for "lake people" in the language of Myanmar. The whole population of Inthar lives on the lake. On the lake, people constructed buildings, residences, and farms. Here, you can interact with fishermen and learn more about their daily lives. Besides, you can enjoy the sunset here, which is very romantic and beautiful. Don’t forget to bring your phones and cameras because you might want to take thousands of pictures. 

The peaceful villages in Kalaw

Exploring Kalaw market is one of the must-do activities you should add to your Myanmar travel itinerary. You must go to the market in Kalaw for a truly authentic Burma experience. Every five days, people from the neighboring hill tribes attend the regular small market, which grows significantly larger and more impressive. There is plenty to keep your stomach full and your eyes fascinated here, from mountains of fresh fruits and veggies to piles of fried bugs (if you're brave enough to eat them!). The market is set up in the middle of town and starts early in the morning. Exploring the market is the most convenient way to learn more about the local traditions and customs. Therefore, don’t forget to explore it!

Viewpoint Kalaw trek Ywar Thit

When you take a Myanmar tour, you must visit religious buildings because Myanmar is the land of pagodas. You can go to the Aung Chan Tha Zedi Pagoda, This pagoda, which sits in the center of Kalaw, is a very spectacular structure. A mosaic-covered rooster that glitters in the sunshine is perched at the very top. The pagoda is coated with glass that is gold and silver in color, which creates an amazing view when the light glints off of it. While you wander the town, it is worthwhile to see. Thein Taung Paya Monastery is another great choice. This monastery, which is only a short stroll from Kalaw's town center, provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the area. There are welcoming Buddhist monks waiting for you as soon as you climb the stairs. The monastery overlooks the town and offers panoramic views of Kalaw. Although the monastery itself is impressive and worth exploring, most visitors go there to take in the scenery below. Let’s come and learn more about Myanmar’s spiritual life!

Kalaw local life

Also, when you travel to Kalaw, you should visit the peaceful villages and elephant camps to have the best relaxing time in the tranquil atmosphere. This elephant camp, which is 45 minutes from Kalaw, is one of the nation's most ethical and environmentally friendly camps. The camp provides care for timber elephants that are unable to work. The camp was established in 2011 and is a family-run business that emphasizes humane methods. While learning more about the elephants' maintenance and re-plantation activities, you may feed, wash, and touch them. When you travel to Kalaw, you may see Burma in all its natural splendor. Let's explore Myin Ma Hti Village. The community centers in the hamlet promote locally produced handicrafts, handcrafted items, and fabrics. Its beautiful landscape, which is made up of lush paddy fields, makes it a great destination for travelers seeking a peaceful glimpse into Burmese village life.

Myin Ma Hti cave (Kalaw)

What to eat and what to drink

Food may be regarded as the attitudes, beliefs, and customs that surround the preparation and eating of food. Our ethnicity and cultural background are embedded in our food culture, which also serves as a means of communication in the communities. Therefore , if you go Myanmar tour, don't forget to try some native cuisine to learn more about the customs and traditions of this nation.

In Kalaw, Shan food is very popular and delicious. Don’t forget to try noodles here because they are really famous and they contribute to the reputation of Myanmar’s cuisine. There are many highlight noodles here such as Mohinga, Nan Gyi Thote, Shan Noodle, Coconut noodle,...

Luscious Bowl of Mohinga 

In addition, there are other unique foods, such as tea leaf salad, and Burmese curry which you can get from both restaurants and street vendors. You'll understand why Burmese people praise it after giving it a try. 

About beverages, Burmese people are familiar with having breakfast at tea shops and spending their free time in teahouses, therefore, why don’t you try a cup of tea? Besides, in Myanmar, Myanmar beer is very popular, so a bottle of beer on a hot day is a great choice!

When to visit

The weather information is one of the most important Myanmar travel information to plan for a great trip. Therefore, let’s spend time knowing more about it. 

The ideal months to visit Kalaw are often November through February. After the monsoon season, the weather is pleasant and dry during this time.

Dusty sunrise in Kalaw with birds

After February, Burma may turn quite hot, and some visitors find it to be dusty and uncomfortable.

The rainy season, which lasts from June to October, is marked by daily downpours and extensive floods, which may make travel to remote areas impossible.

Tours

You might consider which tour is suitable for you to explore Kalaw. To discover this tranquil destination, Kalaw trekking tour is the most outstanding and popular tour to discover this place. Let’s find out more information about Kalaw tour!

Trekking Kalaw to Inle Lake: The Kalaw to Inle Lake walk is regarded as a must-do on any Myanmar vacation itinerary. Hiking has become a popular activity in Myanmar. The trip may be completed in two or three days and is around 60 kilometers long. Along the journey, it provides hikers with a glimpse of Pa'o culture as well as views of the rolling hills, farms, and local villages in western Shan State.

1 day trekking around Kalaw: A lot of treks in the Shan highlands begin at Kalaw, a charming hill village that was formerly a British summer retreat. Kalaw, located on the western side of the Shan Plateau at an elevation of 1320 meters, is midway between Thazi and Taunggyi and 70 kilometers west of Taunggyi. The area around Kalaw enjoys fairly consistent year-round moderate weather thanks to the town's elevation. Many of the town's original colonial-era structures are still there for visitors to enjoy, and they can also take in the picturesque surroundings.

Trekking Kalaw and Pindaya: Throughout your tour, you will pass through a number of seldom-visited villages and come across incredibly picturesque scenery and kind, smiling people. Along the journey, you will experience local and traditional rituals as well as traditional, excellent, and abundant cuisine. This journey is attractive because it promises a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience. There won't be many visitors around, and you'll have the pathways to yourself. You'll spend the night in some really fascinating locations, including a monastery or a homestay in a typical village.

Kalaw mountains biking trip: A stunning mountain surrounds Kalaw in the Shan state of Myanmar. The area near Kalaw is ideal for mountain biking. In the British colony, Kalaw was chosen for the Hill Station because horseback riding is particularly pleasant there at that time. But, Kalaw is currently Myanmar's greatest location for mountain biking rather than horseback riding.  Nature's splendor and the kindness of the locals welcome everyone.

Kalaw tour package: There is a good reason why Kalaw is the most well-liked tourist destination. Almost anything can be discovered here, including dense rainforests, delicious food, breathtaking scenery, and affordable hotels with the best amenities. Also, it is incredibly rich in historical and cultural attractions, including ruins that date back hundreds of years. Kalaw also maintains its basic identity with its own distinct culture and history despite the high amount of visitors. Hence, if you want to enjoy the ideal experience, don't be hesitant to book a Kalaw tour package!

Hope you have enough important information about Kalaw, if you still have any difficulties with Myanmar tour, feel free to contact Asia Private Travels for the best support!