Top Things to Do in the Kalaw | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Kalaw

Places To Visit In Kalaw

Aung Chan Tha Zedi

Aung Chan Tha Zedi is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the city of Kalaw in Myanmar. It is a beautiful pagoda famous for the golden and silver mosaic tiles adorning the roof, which glows during the sunset and sunrise, drawing many tourists to Aung Chan Tha.

Christ, The King Church, is an old Catholic church located on top of a hill in the city of Kalaw in Myanmar. It was built during the colonial rule, the church is poorly maintained today, but its excellent location atop a hill gives beautiful views of Kalaw city, making it one of the most famous places for tourists to catch sunset views.

Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp is a reserved area for elephants located in the city of Kalaw in Shan state in Myanmar. Also called Magway elephant camp, it is a protected sanctuary for old and very young elephants, provided with natural habitat. It is one of the few reserve areas for elephants in the country, where poached elephants are rescued, and proper shelter is provided. It is worth visiting for tourists wanting to spend a few hours experiencing the habitat of elephants. Tourists get a chance to bathe the elephants and feed them every day in the morning between 9 to 10 AM. Read More

Hnee Paya is a small ancient Buddhist pagoda located in the heart of the city of Kalaw in Myanmar. It is built of bricks and has a wooden roof styled in Laos style of tiered roofs or Sims, making it unique among the pagodas in the city. The pagoda houses several images of the Buddha and the walls contain many lovely paintings.

Inle Lake is a freshwater lake located in Nyaungshwe town in Myanmar. It is the second-largest lake in the country and is a significant source of livelihood for more than 80,000 locals. It is also one of the most visited destinations with about a million tourists traveling to Inle every year. The depth of Inle varies between 5 to 12 meters deep. The people of the lake are called Intha, an ethnic community unique to Nyaungshwe. Fishing is their primary occupation, and the traditional fisheries involve fishers rowing on one leg and casting the net, which is a famous attraction for tourists. Cigar making, bamboo products, hand-made silk scarves, and silversmithing are other occupations of people inhabiting the villages surrounding Inle Lake. You can take boat trips to visit these factories and to witness life amidst Inle.Between August to October, there are many festivals held in the lake, which attracts thousands of locals from nearby villages as well as tourists. The most famous are Phaung Daw U Festival, which is celebrated for 18 days, and Thadingyut, the festival of lights. Read More

The local market in Kalaw, Myanmar, is a central place for people of surrounding villages who sell fresh produce that is brought in every five days. Kalaw Market is one of the locations for tourists to get a peek of the local life. Fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, local handmade products, electronics and clothes are some of the items sold in the market. It is not an excellent option for tourists to buy souvenirs, though. But you can try a variety of local cuisines including BBQ and types of noodles. Read More

The Kalaw Railway Station is located close to the city centre in Kalaw in Myanmar, and it is one of the heritage sites in the town. The station was built during the British colonial rule and had some of the oldest tracks and locomotive engines that are available for tourists at the display. It is worth visiting to get a glimpse of the town's past.

Kalaw-Inle Trek is one of the most popular routes for hiking between the two towns for tourists who love nature. The rich natural beauty surrounding these towns comprising of the mountains and the lake make it a top attraction. The trek usually lasts for three days, but you can extend or have a short trek depending on your preference. Hiking is not very uphill or at high altitudes, but involves covering a lot of distance on rugged hills every day, between 15km to 25km depending on the route and the number of days. Tourists will get to experience the local life when they stay at homestays. The 3-day hike prices start at 40,000 Kyat from Kalaw excluding the entry fee to Inle Lake for foreigners. The hike can be booked at Kalaw or Inle Lake directly through operators or at your hotel or guesthouse. Read More

Myin Ma Hti Village is located about 30 minutes away from the city of Kalaw in Myanmar. The village has community centres that sell handmade goods, handicrafts, and fabrics made by the locals. Its lovely countryside consisting of green paddy fields make it an excellent place for tourists looking for a quiet experience of the Burmese village life.

Plan Bee Beekeeping Centre is located close to the city of Kalaw in Myanmar. It is a bee cultivation centre where bees are harnessed scientifically for honey. It is one of the few such centres in the country and is an initiative to promote local employment in the region. Visitors get to know the process of honey extraction on a walking tour that is conducted a few times every day.