Overview
Kayah State is located in the eastern part of Myanmar. The relief of Karenni (Kayah) State is mountainous with the Dawna Range and the Karen Hills also known as "Karenni-Karen" mountains separated by the Salween River as it flows through Karenni (Kayah) State.Balu Chaung flows from Inle Lake to Than Lwin River and converges with the Salween in southern Karenni (Kayah) State. Lawpita Dam, built in 1950 as a bilateral reparation agreement with Japan, is a major hydroelectric production dam that produces a quarter of the total hydroelectric power generation in Myanmar.
When to go
The Best Time to visit Kayar State is from
November until April
When you will have a pleasant till hot temperature and limited till mediocre rainfall. Between the months of June and September the climate is very unfavorable. The rainiest months are July and August. The rains can interfere with your outside activities. In the month of May & Octobre the climate is just OK.
Popular Attractions
Taung Kwe Pagoda
Taung Kwe Pagoda lies in the south of Loikaw,Kayah State,atop Thirri Mingala Hill,that has nine peaks on nine broken hills.It was called Mingala Hill,Phawmye in Kayah,Taunggwe in Myanmar,and Loi Pha Phat in Shan. It is 387 feet high.There are pagodas on the nine hillocks named Pyilone Chantha, Shwe Yattaung, Shweyin-aye, Kyauk Thamban, Aung-dawmu, Sutaungpyi, lower Kyaikhtiyo, upper Kyaikhtiyo and Shwe-Pyi-Aye.
Kayah State Cultural Museum
The Kayah State Cultural Museum is a museum that display bronze drums used in wedding and funeral occasions, stone beads, household utensils, traditional looms, traditional dresses, silverware, weapons, paintings and musical instruments of the Kayah people and located in Loikaw, Kayah State in Burma.
Kyat Cave
Kyat Cave, being famous among travellers since a few years, is located 10 miles east of Loikaw. Travellers leading to Kyat Cave must come from Pinlaung to Loikaw. At the junction to Loikaw, they need to turn the left. They can reach the cave by driving along the smooth road to the foot of the hill where the cave is located.
Aung Tha Pyae Cave
This little-seen cave sits amid farmland around 20 minutes' drive north of Loikaw. The cave is close to a 1km in length and houses a dozen or so buddha statues, as well as many stalactites and stalagmites. The cave floor gets very wet, especially during the rainy season (June to October), so watch your step. Bring a torch (flashlight) in case the power is off and there are no lights.
Seven Stages Lake
These lakes are the source of a popular childhood story in Myanmar involving seven angels who each bathed in one of the seven lakes. One day a prince captured one of the angels and put her in chains, which is why they say Padaung women wear the brass coils.
Kayah People
Kayah people also known as Red Karen or Karenni..Kayah people comprise of different 9 ethnic groups such as Kayah,Zayein,Karen(Padaung),Gheko,Kebar,Bre(Ka-Yaw),Manaw,Yin Talai and Yin Baw.Among them,the main ethnic groups are the Kayah, Kayaw and Karen.
Festival
Kayhtoboe Tagundaing Festival
Held Annually in April
Kay Htoe Boe is a Kayah term. The word ‘kay’ means a state, ‘htoe’ means flourishing and accomplished, and ‘boe’ means sacred pole. The festival is celebrated with ethnic dance competition, a costume contest, and other entertainment programs. When the Kay Htoe Boe pole is erected, participants dance around the pole. This festival is celebrated by all Kayah people of Christianity, Buddhism and Animism. The festival is held by all tribes in Kayah state together showing that they all maintain and preserve the traditional festival and solidarity of the entire Kayah ethnic tribes.
Learn More
Getting There and Around
Ways to travel from Yangon to Kayar State
Fly to Loikaw
2h 58min
US$90-154
Bus
13h 15min
US$25-31
Fly to Heho, drive
5h 56min
US$113-341
Drive 484.4km
6h 29min
US$46-67
Where to stay
Top Rated
Breakfast included
#1 Best Value of 30 places to stay in Kayar State
By pemw2020
"We didn't want to leave!
Great place to stay- great view, great service!. We stayed three wonderful nights. Kids felt completely at home and were very sad to leave. Jens, Swe Yi, their little girls, and the hotel staff were amazing. I regret not trying the desserts :-( but we will definitely make a return trip soon."
Breakfast included
#2 Best Value of 30 places to stay in Kayar State
By htet238
"Fantastic Customer Service & Lovely staffs
I spent 2 nights and it was unforgettable moment. Really appreciate the best of Customer Service from each and every lovely staff. Highly recommended for Hotel transportation service as well. The Hotel driver is skillful and we enjoyed all the way without worrisome for safety..."
Breakfast included
#3 Best Value of 30 places to stay in Kayar State
By Elisa C
"Very good hotel
it is a new, modern and beautiful hotel close the river.Staff of the hotel is very very kind.We ate a delicious breakfast.The romms are clean and we loved the beautiful view close the river.It has been avery relaxing stay in Loikaw."