About
Kalaw is a hill town in Shan State, in the highlands of Myanmar, Southeast Asia. Its altitude gives it a cooler climate than much of the country, and for many visitors that change in air is the first thing they notice after arriving.
The town works well as a base for walking. Trekking is the main reason many travellers come here, and the surrounding hills lead out to ethnic minority villages, where a walk can bring you into a quieter rhythm of rural life than the town itself offers.
What a visit looks like
- Spend a day or more on foot, setting out from town into the surrounding countryside.
- Stay in town and use it as a calm place to rest between walks.
- Combine the hills with the wider Shan State region, which lies beyond the town.
Kalaw suits travellers who want fresh air, open landscapes and time on foot more than a long list of sights. Plan your days around the walking, and allow for the cooler evenings when you pack.
Before you go
The village visits are a reminder that you are entering communities with their own customs. Ask before photographing people, dress modestly, and treat the villages as places where people live and work rather than as stops on a route.
