lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

170EASTERN MYANMAR THAZI TO INLE LAKEKalawkel;%081 / POP C10,000Founded as a hill station by British civil servantsfleeing the heat of the plains, Kalawstill feels like a high-altitude holiday resort:the air is cool, the atmosphere is calm, thestreets are leafy and green, and the surroundinghills offer some of the best trekkingin Myanmar.In addition to foreign trekkers, Kalaw hasa significant population of Nepali Gurkhasand Indian Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, whocame here to build the roads and railwayline during the British period.1SightsRight in the centre of Kalaw is Aung ChanTha Zedi, a glittery stupa (Buddhist ceremonialtower), covered in gold- and silvercolouredglass mosaics.The town market (Merchant Rd; h6am-5pm) is also worth a browse – several stallssell dried fruit and local liqueurs. Every fivedays the market is swelled by traders fromhill-tribe villages around Kalaw.South of the market, the myriad stupasof Hsu Taung Pye Paya were restored fromruins using donations from visiting pilgrims.For a good view over the market area,take the steps on the north side of UnionHwy to Thein Taung Paya, a modest Buddhistmonastery with a small congregationof friendly monks.There are more Buddhist monuments onthe outskirts of Kalaw; see our suggestedself-guided day hike in the Activities sectionfor details.2 ActivitiesDay HikeAlthough trekking in the hills around Kalawwithout a guide is not recommended, thereare some interesting and easy-to-find sightsjust outside town that can be tackled in theform of a self-guided, half-day walk.Starting at the market, head south onMin St, continuing to University St at theroundabout-like junction (the park will beon your left). Following the hilly, pine-linedroad, and veering left at the junction afterthe Pine View Inn, it should take another tento fifteen minutes to reach Christ the KingChurch (University Rd), which was run by thesame Italian priest from 1931 to 2000. Hissuccessor, Father Paul, presides over an enthusiasticdaily mass at 6.30am and a wellattendedSunday service at 8am and 4pm.KalawABC0 200 m#e 0 0.1 milesD12ú#17ú#19‚To Thazi(58mi)# Ú 45#ò20 # Ø Bus15ú#Ticket î#Hospital10ú#ÿ##›8 1112Officesÿ## # #ÿ ÿ 14ÿð#6#Ø ˜## Ú1#þ9ÿ#13 ÿ#24 #æ 3ü#23ÿ#Buses to722 û##›Taunggyiû#21 ð#Aung Chan Tha St18 ú#ú#16# Ú 2 ß#MosqueNatsin RdThirimingalar StZatila StUnion HwyYatana StAungThaPyaySt‚Butar StKone Thae StTo Heho (16mi);Taunggyi (43mi)‚12Thidar St# ñ3Min St3A‚To Pine View TrainInn (800m)StationBC66#£D