Kayin State · Myanmar
Where to stay in Hpa-An
Hpa-An is a city in Kayin State, Myanmar, home to about 422,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- MAQ99 km · Mae Sot Airport
- Currency
- MMKkyat
- Time zone
- Asia/Yangon
- Language
- Burmese
About
About Hpa-An
Hpa-an is a large city in southeastern Myanmar and the capital and largest city of Kayin State (Karen State). The population as of the 2014 Myanmar census was 75,141, mostly of the Karen ethnic group.
With the expected completion of the Greater Mekong Subregion East-West Corridor at the end of 2015, when improvements to the road between Mae Sot in Thailand and Mawlamyine are due to be finalised, Hpa-an will have great prospects to export to Thailand, and the town and surrounding region are likely to boom.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Hpa-An
See
- Shweyinhmyaw Paya
- Kan Thar Yar Lake
- Kaw Ka Taung Cave
- Mat Ka Na Bridge & Village
- Saddan Cave
- Yae Ta Khon
- Lumbini Garden
- Mount Zwegabin
- Kyauk Kalap
- Kaw Goon Cave
- Ya-The-Byan Cave
- Bat Cave
Do
Hpa-an is famous for its numerous surrounding caves, mountains and green planes. Most guesthouses organise tours to those (like Soe Brothers and Golden Sky) - full-day trips cost 30,000 kyat (for up to 6 people). In case you arrive late, the Bat Cave evening tour is a highly recommended choice. However, you can also easily explore everything on your own by renting a motorbike from many guesthouses, e.g. Soe Brothers, Galaxy Hotel, Lwin Pyar Guesthouse or Good Luck Motorbike Rental next to Soe Brothers. It takes about a day (without the 4 hr climb of Zwegabin mountain) and the rental costs about 6,000 kyat - depending on the season. Fuel will set you back by another 1,000-1,500 kyat.
- Hpa-Pu village and hill
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Hpa-An
4 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Keinnara Hpa An | 9.8 km | |
| My Hpa An Residence by Amata | 1.8 km | |
| Soe Ko Ko Motel Hpa-An | 0.7 km | |
| Thiri Hpa-An Hotel | 5.7 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Hpa-An
Hpa-An has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; August is the wettest, with about 981 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Hpa-An: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mae Sot Airport (MAQ), about 99 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting around
Especially around the market and the ferries, plenty of motorbike-taxis and trishaws are available. Do not pay more than 1,000 kyat for destinations within the city. Trips to the countryside for a couple of hours should not cost more than 5,000 kyat for a trishaw. Shared tuktuk (max 6 pax) cost ~35,000 kyat for one whole day (07:00-18:00). It takes you to all places of interest except Bat Caves. Petrol & toll are inclusive. It is easy to rent a motorbike; some hostels like Galaxy Motel and Soe Brother can arrange them (~ 8.000 kyat/day) from 07:00 onwards.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
MAQ · Mae Sot Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Hpa-An
Drink
A "sophisticated" traveler community including bars and clubs has yet to develop. Some shops, e.g. the one opposite Galaxy Motel, sell alcohol.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Hpa-An: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Hpa-An?
Hpa-An has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; August is the wettest, with about 981 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Hpa-An?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mae Sot Airport (MAQ), about 99 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Hpa-An?
kyat (MMK).
Nearby
Destinations near Hpa-An
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.