Kayin State: Caves, Pagodas and a Botanical Garden

In Kayin State, caves, Buddhist art, a riverbank and a botanical garden offer different focuses for a trip. To plan your visit, you can start with the places and what makes each of them distinctive: Are you interested in climbing Mt. Zwegabin, focusing mainly on cave art, or including a garden?

Hpa-An Between River and Mountain

Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda is on the banks of the Thanlwin River in Hpa-An. Lumbini Garden is on the western side of Mt. Zwegabin and is a starting point for the climb. The two places therefore suit different plans: the pagoda offers a direct connection to the riverbank, while the garden is associated with the mountain climb. If you want to include Mt. Zwegabin in your travel plans, Lumbini Garden is the stated starting point.

Caves and Buddhist Art

In 2008, the Ministry of Culture designated Kawgunn Cave an “Ancient Monumental Zone” and a “Protected and Preserved Zone.” The purpose of the designation was to protect the cave’s ancient cultural heritage. These official designations and their protective purpose give this cave a distinctive cultural focus within a trip through Kayin State.

Bayin Nyi Cave is about 12 miles from Hpa-An. The cave is one furlong long and contains ancient pagodas and Buddha statues. The cave is about 12 miles from Hpa-An and is itself one furlong long. Those wishing to focus on caves and religious art will find both together in one cave.

Saddan Cave is known for Buddhist art and architecture. At Ratheepyan Cave, the dimensions of the religious artworks stand out: the votive tablets are 3 to 4 inches high, and the Buddha statues are 5 to 6 feet high. They are located on the cave walls and on the rock face outside the cave. The votive tablets are considerably smaller than the Buddha statues; both are found on the cave walls and on the rock face outside the cave.

Kawkathaung Cave contains 28 Buddha statues and votive tablets. Other features mentioned include a stone pillar entwined with dragon sculptures, a Sayadaw shrine and a reliquary chamber. The combination of statues, the pillar and the two religious spaces distinguishes its described focus from the measurements given for Ratheepyan Cave or the art and architecture for which Saddan Cave is known.

At Bat Cave, foreign visitors watch bats emerge from the cave each day around sunset. If you plan to see this, check in advance whether it will be possible during your visit.

The Botanical Garden on Hpa-Mel Mount

The botanical garden on Hpa-Mel Mount covers 17 acres and is home to more than 70 species of beech trees. The garden is also used for jogging, especially in the mornings and evenings.

For your trip, you can weigh these options against one another: a mountain climb, the riverbank, cave art, watching bats at sunset or spending time in the botanical garden. If you’re looking for a hotel in Kayin State, it helps to first consider which of these interests you want to shape your trip. The places’ specific features can help you decide, as they don’t all offer the same focus for a visit.

Discover more destinations: Hpa-An, Myitkyina, Loi-kaw, Myawaddy, Ayeyarwady, Tanintharyi Region, Naypyitaw Union Territory, Bago Region.

For the broader travel overview: Myanmar.