Hpa-an: See
1 Shweyinhmyaw Paya. This pagoda at the north-west end of town has nice views of the sunset. You can watch from a viewing tower or at the side of the river next to the pagoda.
2 Kan Thar Yar Lake. This lake in the lower part of the city and its wooden bridge are recommended in the evening.
3 Kaw Ka Taung Cave (Follow the main road east (it turns southeast later) from the Clock Tower for 10.5 km). This is a small and low cave built using tiles and filled with numerous small and big Buddhas. Bring a torch since there is something in the end to explore. Going further just by the cave, after 200 m there is a nice swimming pool with very clear water from the mountain and hundreds of fish in it, circled by half a dozen restaurants right next to beautiful rice fields. Take a swim and get off the salt.
4 Mat Ka Na Bridge & Village (Further into the countryside along the main track by Kaw Ka Taung Cave). Sometimes also spelled Lat Ka Na. This concrete bridge is a famous and picturesque destination. Explore the village behind the bridge.
5 Saddan Cave (Saddar Cave, Sadan Cave, Seren Cave) (300 m east of the Clock Tower turn right into Ka Lar Tan Street and follow this street south for about 14 km. Then this road does a 90° turn left; after another 500 m there is a gravel road to the right marked with a small green sign pointing south towards the cave.). Sunrise to sunset. A huge cave filled with a Buddha face looking rock, a reclining Buddha statue, a pagoda and many more Buddhist items. There is lighting nowadays but do not forget (ǃ) to bring along your shoes when entering the cave, to walk further and through after the pagoda part (around 500 m). At the other end there are boats waiting for a nice trip on the lake and another cave (about 1,000 kyat). Alternatively, you can eat something at the nearby restaurant. 1,000 kyat donation demanded.
6 Yae Ta Khon (200 m east of the Clock Tower take the second main road (Ka Lar Tan St) south for 12.8 km (before the 90° bend south of the main road)). A nice swimming pool in a cool surrounding. Unfortunately, women are not allowed to swim in the upper pool. Following up the hill to the right of the pool there are many white pagodas standing in a geometrical and quite picturesque order.
7 Lumbini Garden (2.6 km north of Yae Ta Khon). A nice looking "garden" with 1,150 sitting and quadratically placed Buddhas at the foot of Zwegabin mountain. In early 2017 a cable car was inaugurated to get a glance of the garden from above. 4,000 kyat for foreigners. …