More popular among locals than travellers, this area actually consists of three caves, only two of which are generally open to the public.
Kaw Ka Thawng Cave is about 7 miles from Hpa-an along the road to Eindu. From the stall on Zaydan St in Hpa-an, hop on a pick-up truck to Eindu (K1000) and ask to be dropped off at Kaw Ka Thawng Cave. A round-trip in a thoun bein or motorcycle taxi will run K4000 or K5000.
The first cave you’ll come to, Kaw Ka Thawng, has been quite gentrified and has slippery tile floors and numerous buddha statues. Continuing along a path, you’ll pass the stairway to another somewhat concealed cave that’s not normally open (allegedly a monk found a used condom here and decided to lock it). Near the end of the path, you’ll reach an inviting spring-fed swimming hole, popular with local kids, and another water-filled cave that also serves as a swimming hole. There are a few simple restaurants here.
Splitting from the path before the first cave, a long bridge leads to Lakkana Village , a picturesque Kayin village, the backdrop to which includes Mt Zwegabin, and which has been featured in numerous Myanmar films and videos.
The countryside here is drop-dead gorgeous and you could easily spend a day walking and swimming.
