Exploring Hpa An’s 7 best sights by motorbike

Motorbike Adventures are one of the most exciting ways to explore countrysides and cultures.  The countryside around Hpa An is full of surprises and indeed truly beautiful. As you explore, take the time to meet locals and have those potentially awkward but beautiful memorable moments. The adults tend to be heartwarmingly friendly and happy to see you and the children, well, they’re just ecstatic.  A good round of ‘nice to meet you’ handshakes tends to get a few giggles.  

If you’re reading this blog to plan your trip to Hpa An but you’re not a fan a motorbikes we have just the blog for you: Things to do around Hpa An>>

However you do it, just leave your inhibitions behind!

You will probably need a map, we’re addicted to the Maps Me App. If you haven’t already got it, it’s a fab freebie!

This Adventure can be done in a day AND THEN with your other day you will definitely want to do something from HERE: Top things to do in and around Hpa An >>>

Renting the Bike

We found a place in Hpa an that will allow  you to hire an automatic 125cc bike for 6000 kyat (5 USD / 3 GBP) for 24 hours.  They start a little higher but are happy to go down on the price. You don’t have to leave your passport or any deposit, they just take your hotel name. – very trusting! The rental shop is very close to Soe Brothers guest house and close to the Clock Tower / central triangle in town. 

Oh, and when they say to fill up at the ‘Petrol Station’, they really could mean this little lady selling old whisky bottles refilled with Petrol.

If you haven’t read our page on top tips for renting a motorbike in South East Asia, I strongly recommend you do. We’ve done our best to put something together that will help keep you safe and stop you getting ripped off!

This map shows you the rough route of the following trip (the numbers on the map match the numbers on this blog). This map is just to give you an idea of an order and rough route- however it may not be very useful when it comes to micro-navigation.

1. Kan Thar Yar bridge and lake

Start at Kan Thar Yar bridge which crosses a beautiful lake with a mountainous backdrop. If you take a walk across the bridge and around the lake early morning you will see many locals fishing, exercising and generally getting on with life on their usually lovely smiley way.

2. Mt. Zwegabin Buddha Forest

From here you can drive south towards Mt. Zwegabin where you will discover an impressive Buddha Forest at the Lumbini garden entrance. Rows and rows of Buddha statues lead upto their holy mountain. You can also CLIMB MT.ZWEGABIN and stay in the monastery at the top. Read more HERE >>>

3. Kayauk Kalap Lake and Monastery

Leaving here you cross the junction and head west to Kayauk Kalap lake and monastery. aside from the main temple, you can walk across a little bridge to visit the impressive rock and place of worship. When entering, you must remove shoes and they typically greet you with a small yellow bracelet before you climb the little windy steps that wrap around the enchanted and quirky rock.

There is no charge at the point of writing but you can make a donation.

4. Bat Cave

Further west bound there are several caves to explore. To get to the bat cave you take a right off the main road and through a little village. As the name suggests, there is a cave with bats in it; however they only open the cave itself at 6pm.  The place does stink of Guano (bat poo!) and you have to go barefoot for much of it, as it’s also a temple. Nice! After several questionable ladders you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the river.

There is no charge and we didn’t see anywhere to donate.

Best way to explore Hpa An by Motorbike

5. Kawgun Cave

Also referred to as Kaw Goon cave, it is on the other side of the main road that comes off the bridge.  Leaving the bat cave you can take the road that wraps around and under the bridge before taking a small south bound cement country road to the cave.  If you haven’t been anywhere like this before, it is worth exploring. There are ancient carvings and inscriptions all over the walls of the cave.  Over time they have built many newer Buddha statues inside. It comprises mostly of an entrance lined with Buddhas, a large enclosed laying Buddha and a cave with many inscriptions and newly built Buddha statues, including a sparkly disco one towards the back … not sure how else to describe it.

If you wish to climb to the top of the outside of the cave for a impressive look out, you can do so for free and it takes about 15-20 minutes.

Best way to explore Hpa An by Motorbike

They do charge a compulsory ‘donation’ of 5000 kayt (4 USD / 2.5 GBP) to go inside this cave.

6. Ya Thay Pyan Cave

Ya Thay Pyan Cave is back down the road you came up on and on the left. It is sign posted. As you get closer, there is a fork in the road, take the left one. Personally, we loved this one and found it to be unexpected highlight. Not only are there quite often monkeys around, but the cave goes way deeper than you expect.  You will need a torch as you venture further back. The Buddha’s pitter out and it becomes all about the exploring the cave. You still have to be barefoot as it is holy; so if scrambling over rocks and squelching through mud barefoot isn’t your thing, then maybe just check out the statues at the front. If it is your thing, it’s great fun and offers an epic view at the end.

7. Ye Pagoda River View Point

Pretty much anywhere on the East bank of the river will treat you to a stunning sunset. If you have time, head for Ye Pagoda, a west facing spot very close to town. If you arrive earlier, quite a few locals are willing to sail you to the mini mountain known as Par Pu for an adventure.

They only ask for 500 kyat (0.4 USD / 0.25 GBP) for each person, each way and they will wait for you. It should take 1 to 2 hours.

Be part of a community!

We really hope you have an epic adventure! Please let us know how it goes and if anything changes please let us know so we can amend it for the next traveler! Be that person who thinks about others and gives back to the travel community!

We travel better together.

Map with thanks to the epic Open Street Maps community

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Best way to explore Hpa An by Motorbike