Skip to main content

Kalaw: A pocket guide

KALAW, MYANMAR - NOVEMBER 28, 2014: many peasants in Burmese traditional clothes come home in the evening after a day's work on the fields near Kalaw
Founded in the nineteenth century as a British hill station because of its mild and pleasantly cool climate at an altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level, Kalaw is a picturesque town of about 26,000 inhabitants, with many of the original colonial buildings still standing.

Marvelous Markets & Mountains

It is best known for its colorful market, where many of the surrounding hill tribes come to sell their produce and handicrafts, and as the base station for trekking to nearby hills and the national park in the Shan Mountains. One of the most popular walking routes is to the Inle Lake. This takes about two to three days and affords a unique insight into rural life along the way.

A Nature Lover’s Paradise

Also, the hiker will appreciate the spectacular mountainous landscapes in the distance, with rich red earth, farmhouses, and monasteries along the way. Part of the charm of this excursion on foot is staying overnight either in a monastery or with a local family and experiencing their simple way of life.