• Burmese
Friday, June 13, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Travel

Travelers Return to Hpa-an as Myanmar’s Domestic Tourism Reopens

Lwin Mar Htun by Lwin Mar Htun
July 31, 2020
in Travel
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Travel blogger Kyaw Soe Lwin with a horse at Hpa-An Hideout Cafe in Hpa-An. / Kyaw Soe Lwin

Travel blogger Kyaw Soe Lwin with a horse at Hpa-An Hideout Cafe in Hpa-An. / Kyaw Soe Lwin

14.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

As Myanmar has allowed domestic tourism to reopen, businesses in tourist hotspots have welcomed back travelers—including foreigners already in the country.

Since the beginning of the June, most popular travel destinations, including Mandalay, Bagan, Pyin Oo Lwin, Inle Lake, Kalaw, Hsipaw, Hpa-An and others, have opened up.

Among them is Hpa-An, the capital of Karen State and a picturesque town with lush green rice fields, limestone mountains and huge caves. Located 270 km from Yangon in eastern Myanmar, the destination has become viral on social media and popular among local travelers.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Tourism Sector Mocks Junta’s Russia Tourist Drive

Myanmar Tourism Sector Mocks Junta’s Russia Tourist Drive

June 13, 2025
74
Myanmar Junta Accused of Using Cluster Bombs in Deadly Attack on Karen Village School

Myanmar Junta Accused of Using Cluster Bombs in Deadly Attack on Karen Village School

June 11, 2025
604
KNLA, Allies Retake Base Near Myanmar-Thai Border From Junta

KNLA, Allies Retake Base Near Myanmar-Thai Border From Junta

June 4, 2025
4.4k

“Since the middle of June, the number of travelers in Hpa-An has increased amazingly, with hotels 80 percent booked even on the weekdays,” said Ma Khine Wint Phyu, director of sales and marketing for Amata Hotel Group, which runs the My Hpa-An Residence hotel.

Trekking uphill to mount Zwekabin. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

“Compared with the high season, travel to Hpa-An is up 20 percent during COVID-19,” she added. “This whole July is fully booked—all the visitors are local and only 3 percent are expats.”

In late March, Myanmar went into lockdown and all schools, restaurants and hotels were closed, with most people staying home.

But since the start of June, the government has eased some restrictions as the country has seen few local transmissions of COVID-19.

“People suffocated at home for over two months during lockdown and they are all badly wanting to relax by travelling,” Ma Khine Wint Phyu said. “Hpa-An is greener in monsoon season and everywhere is green and fresh—and it’s not very far from Yangon. That’s why people are choosing Hpa-An, I think.”

Hotel employees now check the temperatures of visitors before they enter and visitors must wear masks before they check-in.

Inside Saddhan Cave. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

“All of our staff also wear masks, face shields and gloves and practice social distancing from guests,” Ma Khine Winy Phyu said. She added that all rooms are sprayed with disinfectant one day before guests arrive as well as after they leave.

Hotels are also offering special promotion rates on rooms.

“Hpa-An is only five hours’ drive from Yangon and many activities like hiking, kayaking and cave trekking are there,” popular local food and travel blogger Ko Kyaw Soe Lwin told The Irrawaddy in Hpa-An. “All the views are beautiful and scenic, and it’s more crowded in weekend.”

“Warning notes and signs related to COVID-19 are placed in every hotel and restaurant, but some travelers are not following the rules,” he added. “For example, some people are not wearing masks and forget about social distancing while visiting the Hpa-An night market. The authorities from the region should be strict with the rules, like to limit the number of people entering the main attractions in order to have social distancing.”

A lake at the far end of Saddhan Cave. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

He said that the increase in people means more travelers are also throwing trash along the way while trekking and hiking, polluting the area with plastic.

“Hpa-An itself is always beautiful during the monsoon or winter,” Ko Kyaw Soe Lwin said. “There are plenty of good restaurants and it’s a nice spot to spend the weekend.”

Hpa-An has many tourist spots, including mount Taung Wine, mount Zwekabin, Kyauk Kalap pagoda, Kawgun cave, Saddan cave, boat tours to Mawlamyine, bike tours around Hpa-An and more.

“Domestic tourism develop more in the coming months. The tourism industry has to depend on local travellers during this COVID-19 situation, I think,” said Ma Khine Wint Phyu.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Closes Bagan’s Temples Ahead of Weekend Holiday Amid COVID-19 Fears

Singaporeans Urged to Take Local Holidays to Boost Tourism Amid Virus

Garbo Bar at Myanmar’s Melia Hotel Reopens With New Giant Burger Set

As Domestic Tourism Reopens in Myanmar, Businesses Struggle to Get Back on Their Feet

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Hpa-anKaren StateTourism
Lwin Mar Htun

Lwin Mar Htun

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Five-Star Casino Resort on Myanmar Tropical Island Runs Out of Luck
Burma

Five-Star Casino Resort on Myanmar Tropical Island Runs Out of Luck

by The Irrawaddy
February 6, 2024
19.1k

U Kyaw Lwin ran his casino resort on the visa-free island for more than 10 years before facing arrest in...

Read moreDetails
In Western Myanmar, an Ethnic Landlord is Poised to Liberate ‘Crony Beach’
Burma

In Western Myanmar, an Ethnic Landlord is Poised to Liberate ‘Crony Beach’

by The Irrawaddy
June 25, 2024
15.7k

After capturing Thandwe Airport, the Arakan Army is just steps away from Myanmar’s most valuable beach and the crony-owned resorts...

Read moreDetails
Touting Holidays in a Flooded Warzone; Praising Savior China; and More
Junta Watch

Touting Holidays in a Flooded Warzone; Praising Savior China; and More

by The Irrawaddy
October 5, 2024
13.3k

Also this week, the regime launched its pre-election census, and unveiled a flood relief budget dwarfed by military spending as...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar General Jailed Over Humiliating Battlefield Defeat Near Thai Border
Burma

Myanmar General Jailed Over Humiliating Battlefield Defeat Near Thai Border

by The Irrawaddy
July 16, 2024
12.3k

Brigadier-general sentenced to 14 years in prison over his division’s hasty retreat from a base protecting Myawaddy to safety beneath...

Read moreDetails
UK Hits Myanmar Border Guard Force Colonel, Two Others, With Sanctions
Burma

UK Hits Myanmar Border Guard Force Colonel, Two Others, With Sanctions

by The Irrawaddy
December 9, 2023
10.7k

Saw Chit Thu and two others linked to a massive gambling project in Karen State were sanctioned over allegations of...

Read moreDetails
The Junta is Losing Control of Southeastern Myanmar: Report
Burma

The Junta is Losing Control of Southeastern Myanmar: Report

by The Irrawaddy
September 28, 2023
10.6k

Regime also risks losing control of its transport artery between Yangon and Naypyitaw.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
--

Charting Myanmar’s Course Through US-China Tensions

--

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

4 days ago
1.4k
How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

2 days ago
913

Most Read

  • Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Advances into Karenni State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Jade Hub Burns as Junta Counteroffensive Penetrates Hpakant

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • High-Level Ministerial Meeting Held to Speed Up Preparations for Myanmar Junta’s Election

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.