Loikaw Landmarks, Markets, and Kayah Community Experiences
First, visit Taung Kwe Pagoda (Broken Mountain). The most famous religious landmark of Loikaw is the Thiri Mingalar Taung Kwe Pagoda. Taung Kwe means broken mountain, and from the top you can enjoy great views of the marvellous landscape of Loikaw.
Then continue to Haw Nan Monastery. Known as Kandarawwady Haw Nan, it is one of the most ancient buildings in Kayah. It was built during the First World War, between 1912 and 1916, by Zaw Bwa Saw Pyar Du Sat Khun Li, the Chief of Kayah. Three stairways lead up to the monastery.
Afterwards, head to Naung Yah Lake. This is a trendy spot for local people to enjoy a stroll in the morning and evening or a picnic with family and friends. Paddle boats are available, and some people also enjoy fishing. In the evening, local people enjoy eating tasty food at local restaurants on the lakeside.
Then visit the Loikaw cultural museum. The museum has an interesting collection of historical artefacts, including sacred frog drums, which are a symbol of Kayah identity. Other exhibits include a colourful collection of traditional costumes worn by Kayah's different ethnic groups. English-language media is under development.
After that, visit the local fresh markets in Loikaw. Thiri Mingalar Market has a good variety of items, local foods, vegetables, fruits, and spices with wonderful contrasting colours and fragrances. Visitors can also find household goods and clothing, which make special mementoes of a visit to Kayah.
The Baho Zay Market on Daw Na Street has plenty of tasty local food and typical Myanmar tea shops. It is possible to buy hot, fresh food. However, use your discretion.
Naung Yah Market is a small market just outside Loikaw, open from 5:30 am to 11 am. Most vendors sell local foods. The market is not open every day, so it is best to check with a local hotel or tour operator before visiting.
After that, enjoy activities and excursions outside Loikaw through the Kayah Community Tourism Programmes.
Hta Nee La Leh, Kayah community: These community-based cultural tour programmes offer fascinating, fun insights into the local life and culture of Hta Nee La Leh. Activities were developed based on special elements of local life, culture, and nature, which community members feel proud and comfortable to share with guests.
Option A:
Guests are welcomed at the community centre, then proceed to the "Kaehtoebo" site and hunting shrine to learn about local beliefs and spiritual life. Guests also visit the Lotus Pond, a sacred and scenic site. Here, visitors listen to the local legend of Tsudanu, a prince and princess who finally ascend to heaven as mythical Kinaree birds.
Option B:
Visit the "Kaehtoebo" site and hunting shrine to learn about local beliefs and spiritual life. Then enjoy a fun ox cart ride via the Lotus Pond to the scenic 7 Lakes. Relax by the lake and enjoy the forested mountain scenery.
Option C:
Visit the "Kaehtoebo" site and hunting shrine to learn about local beliefs and spiritual life. Then enjoy an ox cart ride via the Lotus Pond to the scenic 7 Lakes. Here, guests enjoy a delicious Kayah barbecue with cultural exchange.
Option D:
During this programme, guests will visit two homes. First, a local musician's house to listen to traditional instruments and try their hand at playing them. Then continue to another house to learn about traditional Kayah dress.
Pan Pet, Kayan community.
These tour programmes offer fascinating, fun insights into the local life and culture in the Pan Pet Kayan community. Activities were developed based on special elements of local life, culture, and nature, which community members feel proud and comfortable to share with guests. Option A is a half-day trip in which guests arrive at Pemsong village. On arrival, guests are welcomed in a local home where they will enjoy a hot drink and a simple local snack. After this, they head off on a short trek of 1.5-2 hours, led by local community tour guides. Along the way, the guides stop and explain special cultural and natural sites that are important to local people and their way of life, including the village monument and pagoda. A highlight is a breathtaking 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Guests enjoy a packed lunch or a special "jungle picnic." Difficulty grade: easy trek, with moderately steep sections.
Following the short trek, guests can also visit the Salong Kana hamlet to meet a local Kayan artisan and enjoy a hands-on demonstration of making traditional Kayan bracelets. Guests can also have a go at making a bracelet themselves.
Finally, the trip ends in Rang Ku hamlet, where guests can visit small craft shops run by the famous Kayan people, popularly known as Long Neck Karen. Enjoy learning a few words of the Kayan language and interacting with these fun-loving and artistic people. There are also opportunities to buy local handicrafts.
Option B is a full-day trekking trip, Trail of the Ancestors. On arrival at Pemsong village, visitors are welcomed in a local home where they will enjoy a hot drink and a simple local snack. Next, guests set off on a moderately challenging trek through a lush, shady forest. After quite a steep climb of approximately 40-60 minutes, guests will enjoy over 3 hours of continual great views. En route, local guides show participants various edible plants and herbal medicines used by community members in their "jungle larder." A highlight of the trip is learning about different ancient settlements, as the villagers have gradually moved down the mountain over several hundred years. This is particularly interesting because Pan Pet is considered one of the first Kayan settlements of Kayah State. Guests also enjoy a packed lunch or jungle picnic. The trek ends in Rang Ku hamlet, where guests meet the famous Kayan people, also known as Long Neck Karen, a symbol of Kayah State. Enjoy learning a few words of the Kayan language and interacting with these fun-loving and artistic people. There are also opportunities to buy local handicrafts.
Jungle picnic includes at least 3 dishes. Difficulty grade: moderately challenging, approximately 4-4.5 hours, with steep sections of 30-40 minutes.
Option C:
The Artisan's Trail in Salong Kana hamlet is a community-based cultural tour programme offering fascinating, fun insights into local life and culture, which community members feel proud and comfortable to share with visitors. Salong Kana is one of the five hamlets of the Pan Pet community, a homeland of Kayan, or 'Long Neck Karen', culture. The programme gives guests the chance to go 'behind the scenes' by visiting local artisans' homes and seeing crafts being made. Other highlights of the trail include visiting the village's Clan Monument and the spiritual site of Ker Kwang, a Bird Totem, where your local village guide will explain the village's clans and ancestors. Guests can taste traditional Kayan rice wine on request (optional). The trail takes approximately 2.5 hours. It is also possible to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local home. The food is prepared by a women's group who have had training in food hygiene.
