KAYIN (KAREN) STATE:
Is on elongated area lying to the south-east running
from the north-west to the south-east. The total area of
the State is 11,731 square miles. Besides Kayins who are
the majority, the Mons, Myanmars, Taungthus and Shans
live in Kayin State. The Kayins are the second largest
minority in Myanmar. There are two types of Kayin the
hill Kayins and the plain Kayins. And they differ in
language and physical features. There are animists,
Buddhists and Christians among Kayins but the majority
are Buddhists. The Kayins have their own letters,
literature and culture. Main economy is agriculture and
its related businesses. Rice, betelnut, ground nut,
sesame, peas, beans, coffee, tea are grown. Rubber
plantations are found in the southern areas. Evergreen
forests cover roughly half of the region. Teak and other
hard wood timber are important products of the region.
The plains at Kayin State are dotted by lime stone
caverns and lime stone hills protruding steeply upwards.
Among the hills, Zwegabin hill is the most prominent
with a height of 2,372 ft above sea level.
There are many Kayin cultural activities worshipping
the Duway Pagoda, propagating Nat spirit paying homage
to etcetera deities traditional boom fire festival are
held since old time till today. On such occasion, Kayin
Don dance is performed. Don dance originated from the
collected social activities. Kayins love Don dance. Don
dance provoke communal unity and cultivate sense of
corporation. Don dance is the naional cultural
performance portraying the beauty and love sign of
Kayins. It’s long last as one of Kayins traditional
dances. |
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How to get there:
It can be reached in 8 hours drive from Yangon. In the
north a road leads to Thandaung from Toungoo in Bago
Division. Mawchi-Mawchi road passes through the Kayin
State. In the south, the Yangon-Mottama Road branches
out to Pha-an via Thaton and Myaing Galay. There is
another road from Mawlamyine to Pha-an. Kayin State
still has no rail service but it is well provided with
natural waterways. The Thanlyin river is one of the
major transport routes. River boats from Mawlamyine can
sail upstream to Shwegun in the north of Pha-An, the
capital. Along the Ataran river boats are able to
connect Kya-In-Seik-Gyi with Mawlamyine. Visitors to Pha-An
normally arrive by road from Thaton on Yangon -
Mawlamyine highway. Some tourists come by boat from
Mawlamyine.
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Hpa-an |
HPA-AN:
Is the capital of Kayin State. Recently removed from
the restricted list of travel destinations. Possible to
reach it by road from Yangon across a new Bridge (
Thanlwin ) over the Thanlwin River. Hpa-an is small town
but busy commerce center where you can see farmers
coming to town in horse-carts or trishaws. There is a
small Lake with Mt. Zwegabin in the distance.
What to see there:
Museum:
On the other side of the lake, just cross the bridge, is
a small museum displaying Karen Culture.
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Hpa-an Strand Road |
Mt. Zwegabin:
The Zwekabin Hill has a very unusual shape, which,
once seen, is not easily forgotten. Rises around 650
Meter steeply from the plains. A pagoda is on top for
those who are fit enough to walk up to the top. It takes
app. 2 hours, but the view over the river and the plains
will compensate you for the strenuous walk. There is
also a monastery on the top.
Thamanya Monastery:
Thamanya Hill is located 23 miles south-east of Hpa-an
beside the Hpa-an - Kawkareik road. This place is very
famous for the most venerable monk "Thamanya Sayardaw",
passed away in 2003. Pilgrims all over the country come
to pay homage so it is always full of pilgrims and
devotees.
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View from Zwekabin Hill |
Kawgun Cave:
Kawgun cave is located near Kawgun village, which is two
miles distance from Hpa An township. It is a natural
lime stone cave and measures 200 fts height and 300 fts
length. The rock surface is profusely decorated with
different kinds of clay Buddha images and votive
tablets. It is a rare cave in the lower Myanmar.
According to the style of the Buddha images it can be
datable to 15th century A.D. Hanthawaddy period.Bayin Nyi Cave:
Bayin Nyi Cave is closer to Thaton and makes an ideal
stop on the way to Yangon. This is another steep Rock in
the plains with a monastery at the foot of the mountain.
There is a hot spring with bathing possibility.
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Kawgun Cave |
THANDAUNG:
Soon after the end of the Second Anglo-Burmese War in
1852, when Lower Myanmar was annexed, the British using
imported Indian labourers first developed Thandaung as a
hill station.
Thandaung is only 200 miles away from Yangon and can be
reached by car or bus on a half day's journey. If
visitors prefer using the railway, they can ride the
train from Yangon to Taungoo in about six hours, and
from Taungoo to Thandaung it is only 27 miles up by car
passing through lush virgin forests, see cascading
mountain streams and climb gradually to over 4,000 feet,
to reach Thandaung.Thandaung is a very beautiful hill station and an
important tea, coffee and fruit producing region. It is
the land mark of the Kayin state. |
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