Yangon to Hpa-An: Journey to Karst Country
A 6-hour ride from Yangon to Hpa-An... fun, right? Well, it was worth it to reach this hidden gem!
Taxi Drama and Bus Journey
We started the day with an unpleasant taxi driver who tried to rip us off. Lesson learned: we should have used the Grab app - Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing platform. The Uber-like app makes it simple, safe, and cheap to find good drivers.
The 6-hour bus ride to Hpa-An followed - a long but scenic journey through Myanmar's countryside.
Arriving in Hpa-An
We arrived in Hpa-An, a small, rural town and capital of Karen State. The charming village sits amid dramatic karst formations and glorious mountains - think Guilin, China, but without the crowds!
Off the beaten path for most tourists, Hpa-An was the perfect spot for wannabe backpackers like us. We couldn't wait to explore:
- Countryside hikes through rice paddies
- Huge caves transformed into Buddhist temples
- Dramatic karst landscapes
- Traditional Karen culture
Settling In and Dinner
After refreshing at our guesthouse, Soe Brothers 2 ↗, we found a lovely restaurant called Veranda Cafe ↗.
Beyond providing excellent food, they do amazing community work with local women - supporting employment and skills training. Supporting social enterprises like this felt good while eating delicious Myanmar cuisine!
Evening by the Lake
With full bellies, we wandered along Kan Thar Yar Lake and explored the night market with our cameras. The sunset over the lake, with the magnificent Mount Zwegabin as a dramatic backdrop, was postcard-perfect material.
Tomorrow we'd explore those incredible caves and karst formations up close!
Have you visited Hpa-An? How did you get there from Yangon? Which caves and attractions did you explore? Share your off-the-beaten-path Myanmar experiences below!
Traveling Yangon to Hpa-An
- Bus from Yangon: 6-7 hours, departures throughout day. Book through guesthouse or Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal. Cost: 7,000-10,000 MMK ($5-7 USD). Arrive early as buses fill up!
- Journey time: 300km, 6-7 hours including rest stops. Morning departure (7-9am) recommended to arrive before dark and have afternoon to explore town.
- Use Grab app: For Yangon taxis to bus station! Safer, cheaper, no haggling. Street taxis often overcharge tourists. Grab works in Yangon but NOT in Hpa-An.
- Hpa-An: Capital of Karen (Kayin) State. Population ~50,000. Surrounded by limestone karst mountains. Very safe, friendly locals. Still off-the-beaten-path - few Western tourists!
- Accommodation: Soe Brothers 2 Guesthouse highly recommended! Budget-friendly ($15-25/night), helpful staff, bike rentals, tour booking. Book ahead - limited options in town.
- Veranda Cafe: Social enterprise supporting local women. Excellent Myanmar and Western food. Profits fund community projects. Great coffee! Must-visit restaurant in Hpa-An.
- Mount Zwegabin: Dramatic limestone mountain (722m) visible from town. Can be climbed (2-3 hours up, monastery at top). Best backdrop for sunset photos over the lake!
- Best time: November-February (cool season). March-May extremely hot (40°C+). June-October rainy season - caves may flood, harder to explore.
- Getting around Hpa-An: Rent motorbike (5,000-8,000 MMK/day) or bicycle (2,000-3,000 MMK/day). Most caves/attractions 5-15km from town. Tuk-tuks available but pricey.
- Karen State: Home to Karen ethnic minority. English more common than other Myanmar regions due to mission schools. Very welcoming to foreign visitors!
Note:
After the bustle of Yangon, Hpa-An felt like stepping into a different Myanmar - peaceful, rural, and stunningly beautiful. The dramatic karst landscapes promised incredible exploration tomorrow. We'd found our off-the-beaten-path paradise!