Kalaw – Hiking, Culture and Market

When planning a trip to Kalaw, there are several things to focus on: hikes, religious buildings, the market and the Kalaw Trail Run. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide what brings you to the area. A three-day hike to Inle Lake has a different time frame from a stay focused on buildings or the market. The run, in turn, offers two specified distances to consider.

The railway station as a historical landmark

Kalaw railway station was built and opened in 1915. Construction and opening therefore took place in the same year, providing a specific point of reference for the town’s history. This historical landmark is one consideration when planning your trip, alongside the hikes, market and buildings: it gives you a historical perspective on Kalaw, while the other topics appeal to different interests. If the historical context of a destination matters to you, you can include the railway station as a separate consideration in your choice.

Hikes and running distances

Three-day hikes lead from Kalaw to Inle Lake. The duration gives you a specific time frame for planning, and Inle Lake is the destination. Hikes in the Kalaw area usually include overnight stays in guesthouses in nearby Pa-O or Palaung villages. For a specific tour, it is advisable to confirm in advance that it will run on your travel dates and to clarify the planned overnight arrangements.

The Kalaw Trail Run includes a half-marathon distance and a 12-kilometer course. These two distances represent different running challenges and give you a specific point of comparison if you plan to include the race in your trip. If the race is to determine your travel dates, check the event date in advance.

Sacred buildings and their features

Aung Chan Tha Pagoda, also called Mosaic Pagoda, is considered the heart of Kalaw. In Kalaw Township, Christ the King Church is also known by the names Church of Jesus Christ – the Universal King, Hundred-Year Church and Italian Church. These different names refer to the same church, so you may encounter them when searching for this building.

The Sikh temple in Kalaw is a two-story wooden building. The upper floor contains a shrine and a prayer room. The buildings have different features to focus on when comparing them: the pagoda is noted for its significance to Kalaw, while the Sikh temple is described in terms of its structure and layout. This makes it possible to distinguish the sacred buildings by their respective characteristics.

Local goods at the market

Local goods such as honey, tropical fruit and Myanmar wine are sold at Kalaw market. This makes trade in local products another distinct point of interest, alongside hikes and sacred buildings. The examples cover a range of goods and give you a specific idea of what is sold at the market. If you would also like to consider local products when planning your trip, these market offerings are among the things you can expect to find in Kalaw.

Discover more destinations: Pindaya, Taunggyi, Keng Tung, Lashio, Pang Hseng, Kyaukme, Aungpan, Kyawkku

For the overview of the wider region: Shan State.