Standing proud in the middle of a small, artificial lake is Kyauk Kalap, a tall finger of sheer rock mounted by one of the most unlikely pagodas in Myanmar. The rock offers great views of the surrounding countryside and nearby Mt Zwegabin, and is allegedly the best place to see the sunset over this mountain.
A round-trip thoun bein or motorcycle taxi from Hpa-an to Kyauk Kalap will run about K5000.
The compound is a working monastery and is closed every day from 12pm to 1pm to allow the monks to meditate. The 30 or so monks here are vegetarian and free vegetarian food is served from the temple from 9am to 5pm.
The monastery is also where the highly respected monk U Winaya, whose solid support of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is well known in Myanmar, first resided. U Winaya passed away several years ago and his body was entombed in a glass case at Thamanyat Kyaung, another monastery about 25 miles southeast of Hpa-an. On one night in April 2007, the monk’s body was stolen (allegedly by soldiers) and has never been recovered.
