2025 Ein Du Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#springitinerary You haven’t truly experienced Myanmar until you’ve watched the sun rise over Kyauk Kalap Pagoda—a golden stupa jutting out of a limestone spike in the middle of a lake. Welcome to Hpa-An, where every turn feels like stepping into a fantasy novel. 🌅 First Impressions The moment I arrived, Hpa-An hit me with misty mountains, rice fields glowing neon green, and the sound of monks chanting from caves hidden in the cliffs. The air smells like woodsmoke and ripe mangoes—a combo I didn’t know I needed. 🤣 The "I Accidentally Joined a Karaoke Party" Moment While hunting for dinner, I stumbled into a tiny riverside shack where a group of locals was belting out Burmese pop songs. Next thing I knew, I was handed a mic and attempting "May La Linn" (key word: attempting). They applauded anyway—bless them. 🎤 🍜 Foodie Heaven Breakfast was Hpa-An’s famous lahpet thoke (tea leaf salad) with extra crunchy beans and fried garlic. But the real winner? A hidden night market stall serving grilled river fish wrapped in banana leaves, with a side of tamarind dip that made me question all my life choices. 💎 Hidden Gem: Kawgun Cave Everyone visits Sadang Cave, but Kawgun is the underrated star. Imagine: thousands of tiny golden Buddhas plastered on the walls for centuries, with beams of light slipping through cracks in the ceiling. Pure magic. ⏳ Weekend Itinerary 5 AM: Sunrise at Kyauk Kalap (bring coffee + a camera!). 8 AM: Lunch at a local teahouse (try the Hpa-An-style noodles). 12 PM: Explore Kawgun Cave (watch for bats!). 4 PM: Boat ride to Sadan Cave (paddle through a pitch-black tunnel!). 7 PM: Riverside BBQ + mandatory karaoke (no regrets). Final Tips Rent a motorbike—it’s the best way to explore. Pack a headlamp for cave adventures. Learn "Naing lar?" ("Beautiful, right?" in Burmese)—locals love when you appreciate their town. Who’s ready to chase waterfalls and sing their heart out? 🎶 #HpaAnAdventures

#favouriteitinerary There are 7 main ethnic groups in Myanmar and Kayin is one of them! They have a very popular city for vacation known as Hpa-An. There is a mountain called “Mount Zwekabin” that is popular for hiking. Until midrange, there will be rest areas and snack stops all around. If you get to the top, there will be a monastery where you can spend the night for free. The city is also known for their caves, we went to Mahar Sadan cave (3rd and 4th pics). The entrance fees for tourists is only $0.5, which they use for the pagoda’s managment. They also have rice fields all around the area. The city is rural but the nature is truly beautiful, especially during sunrise.

#timetotravel Saddan Cave is a major Buddhist cave temple with hundreds of small Buddha statues. It is located in the southernmost point of the Zwegabin Mountain range, Hpa-An, Kayin State, Myanmar. Saddan Cave is 107 meters long from east to west and 40 meters wide, and is the longest cave in Karen State with a narrow entrance. The cave is located at a height of about 30 feet from the ground and has a round shape. The cave is named after Saddan, the king of elephants who lived near the cave. The largest of the stalagmites is called the "Stone Pillar of the King of Elephants". The Saddan Cave Pagoda festival is held every year on the last day of Thingyan.At the exit of Saddan Cave, there is a large lake, which is said to be King Saddan's bathing lake. Saddan Cave was a resting place for the legendary King Paarwana when he was a hunter, according to Karen legend.

#timetotravel Sadan Cave Hpa An is incredibly huge inside and one of the biggest caves I have been in. There are a number of monuments at the entrance to the cave such as a golden stupa, a reclined Buddha, gold monk statues, and wall carvings. Once you have explored this area, follow the pathway deeper into the cave. The way is lit so a torch isn’t necessary. The Saddan Cave stretches at least 500 meters from one end to the other and the floor-to-ceiling height, in my guess, is approximately 30 meters high. Listen out for the almost deafening sounds of the thousands of hanging bats and admire the oversized stalactites throughout the cave.