City surrounded by karst formations
There is a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere in Hpa An,the capital of karen province (or Kayin). Surrounding the city, whimsical mountains loom steeply out of the landscape, the Zwegabin Mountain dominating the frayed ridge. The climb to the top of this mountain is steep. Hundreds of steps must be overcome, but the reward is great: here you have a dramatic panorama to all sides. The surrounding mountains suddenly seem puny, and nothing suggests that these karst formations are porous due to numerous caves, caves and tunnels.
Over the centuries, several caves have been decorated as true temples, with colourful decorations – carved into the rock walls – and many Buddha statues. The huge cave chambers are impressive anyway, but the fusion of the religious ornaments with the raw, natural environment is nothing short of enchanting. Bring a flashlight, as your exploration also leads along dark corridors.
The Kaw Gun Cave is aptly called the 'cave of ten thousand Buddhas'. In the cool of bayin Nyi cave, you pass huge stalagmites and stalactites. The Sadan Cave is one of the most beautiful of all the caves in the hpa an region. After visiting the gigantic hall full of Buddha statues and pagodas, you can walk through a long tunnel on the other side of the mountain. Along the way it is cold, water drips along the walls, bats are audibly present. At the exit – back in the warm sunlight – the tunnel opens to an idyllic water landscape full of water lilies and ducks. A boat will take you back to the world.
