Loikaw: See
=== Within the city ===
1 Taung Kwe Pagoda. Impressively built on a big rock with many smaller pagodas sticking out. Requires climbing several flights of stairs around the rock to reach the top. At night the temple is lit like a fairground with twinkling lights. Also a good place to weather watch or star gaze on darker platforms. Alternatively, go during dusk or dawn to watch the sunset or sunrise. Free but camera fee of 300/500 kyat (photo) or 1,000 kyat (video). (updated Jan 2020)
2 Naung Yar Lake. Tranquil lake in the middle of the city with a wooden bridge crossing it. Popular with local young adults as a hangout spot. Have a picnic here if the mood strikes you. Free. (updated Jan 2020)
3 Kayah State Cultural Museum. Mon-Sat 9AM-4PM. Over 400 artifacts and objects representing the various cultures and ethnic groups of Kayah State are displayed here. (updated Sep 2021)
4 Ngwe Taung Dam. A dam by the town of Demoso, which forms a mirror like lake. A picturesque spot to take pictures with the background fields and hills. The dam regulates the irrigation of surrounding fields (updated Jan 2020)
5 Umbrella Pond (Htee Pwint Lake) (30 minutes south of Loikaw). Small pond by Demoso with mud that occasionally rise up in several places forming a mound that looks like an umbrella - likely from gas formation within the pond. Said to be lucky if you see one of these umbrellas bubbling up. Free. (updated Jan 2020)
6 Htee Sel Khar Waterfalls (1 hour north of Loikaw). Staircase type waterfalls with a pontoon bridge crossing the water straddling Kayah and Shan states. A popular place for a dip with many people from the surrounding area visiting. Free. (updated Jan 2020)
7 Seven Lakes (Seven Stages Lake) (1 hour south of Loikaw). A series of lakes where it was said was formed by 7 mythological creatures who landed in the area. With a backdrop of surrounding hills, it's a scenic location. Free. (updated Jan 2020)
8 Kyet Cave (Ya Sa Ku) (1 hour east of Loikaw). A limestone cave with mysterious ancient wooden coffins inside ranging in sizes. Some coffins are located in hard to reach nooks within the cave. It was said that ancestors of the local population were interred in these coffins inside the cave. There are no visible skeletons or bones. There is a small monastery outside the cave. Within the cave is pitch black without lights (2017), so carry a flashlight or other light source. Free. (updated Jan 2020)
Kayan people villages (south of Loikaw and around Demoso, west of the Salween river in the mountains between 1000 and 1500 m). Ask around which villages are good for visiting or organise a local transport/tour to go around (5,000-10,000 kyat). You will have to decide about the ethics of this form of tourism. Try to find a tour that benefits the local community.
Sunboon village (leaving town south along highway 5; at the first traffic toll gate take the left track). 50 m down, women can be seen sitting weaving with goods for sale. …