Kalaw Myanmar – Top Picks for Attractions and Things to Do

Most people make their way to Kalaw in order to go to Inle Lake. The reason for this is that you can trek from one to the other, and this is area is known to have some of the best scenery in Myanmar.

The hills, mountains, and local villages show a rural side of the country that is very different from cities like Yangon, and you will find treks all over the area that are suitable for different fitness levels and time restraints.

As well as trekking, you can also enjoy Kalaw itself, which has quaint local markets and some spots of interest nearby such as Buddha Cave.

Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake

The trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake is the big attraction in this area and usually takes three days and two nights. Prices vary according to which company you choose but are usually in the region of USD35-50 which includes all meals.

On the way you will sleep overnight in local places such as a farm and a Buddhist monastery, depending on the trek you pick.

Once at Inle Lake, you will be able to observe the floating villages and watch the local fisherman rowing across the lake with one leg wrapped around an oar which is the signature style here. You can tour around the lake and take in the sights for anything from a few hours to a full day, but make sure that you don’t miss the sunset as it sparkles on the water. It’s simply stunning.

A Detour to Meiktila

Some people who want to journey to Kalaw and Inle Lake choose to go through the scenic town of Meiktila which is also famous for its lake. If you are coming from Yangon then you may want to break the journey in Meiktila and then take the bus from there to Kalaw which takes around 5 hours. The town itself is small and the main attraction is the lake, which is actually an artificial reservoir. Still, it is a pretty spot and offers you the chance to see more of Myanmar rather than just journey directly from Yangon to Kalaw.

Kalaw Market

Kalaw Market is one of the main attractions when it comes to town. The way it works is that the markets stay for 5 days in one area, namely, Kalaw, Pindaya, Aung Ban, Heho, and Nyaung Shwe.

The most popular is Nyaung Shwe as this is close to Inle Lake, but when the market comes to Kalaw you will be inundated with local fruits and vegetables as well as arts and crafts like traditional fabrics and some delicious local street food snacks that you will find on stalls around the central market place.

Many of the sellers here come down from the mountains for the markets so definitely don’t miss it if the timing coincides with your trip to Kalaw.

Buddha Cave

Buddha Cave is also known as Shwe U Min Paya thanks to the pagoda that sits inside it. Located about half a mile away from the central marketplace in Kalaw, this is a natural limestone cave which became famous when it was filled with golden statues of Buddha.

It makes a great place to look around and you can admire the mesmerizing rows of figures as you do so. While it is definitely not as impressive as the cave temples filled with Buddha images you can find in Monywa, it is still a nice place to visit.

If you happen to be visiting in March, then expect the cave to be busy as pilgrims flock here to pay their respects.

Outside the cave you will find a selection of stalls selling trinkets and traditional handicrafts and this makes a pleasant outing from Kalaw that also lets you take in some of the scenery of Shan state on the way.