KAKKU PAGODAS: A FOREST OF BUDDHIST STUPAS IN MYANMAR
The sight and sounds as you enter this Buddhist site of devotion transports you to a parallel dimension. Perhaps to a sort of traveler Nirvana, as your thoughts melt away by the wind chimes harmonies and the visual delight of pastel colored stupas.
Kakku pagodas: A forest of Buddhist stupas in Myanmar
The Mwe Taw Kakku Pagodas Complex is located in the heart of an area lived in by the Pa´O people . These enigmatic forest of Buddhist stupas is perched on the hills on the South East area of Inle lake and the blend of their mystic architecture with the stunning views from the Hills will leave you speechless.
There are around 2000 stupas on the complex that stand in ranks around a central one.
The oldest pagodas date back to the time of the king Alaungsithu in the 12th century although legend states that they were built by the king Asoka circa 260 BCE
Some of the stupas are unadorned while others offer a variety of mystical creatures carved on them.
The site has been recently rebuilt so the pagodas are not in a ruin like state but you can get still so much historical value from your visit to this place.
Why visit the Kakku Pagodas
Kakku pagodas is on those places, as many others in Myanmar, that will immerse you in a fantasy like world. It is one of those places that you only believe it exists in movies before you start traveling.
It offers great historical and cultural value and on the way there and back you will be able to visit some other places as well as observe the Pa´O area landscape and villages.
This site still remains an off the beaten path destination in Myanmar as it is mostly visited by locals and it is the perfect day trip from Inle lake.
How to get there
There are three different ways you can get to the Kakku pagodas;
By organized tour: You can take an organized an organized tour. They take you on a bus to the location and do several stops along the way such as Taunggy market and the Ananda temple. The advantage of taking on of this organized tours is to have a guide walking you through the relics and you might meet up some other interested travelers along the way.
Trekking; I think this is the coolest way to the Kakku pagodas and if I ever decided to come back there I will choose for this option. ( I had an injured leg when I visited Inle lake so walking was painful) The trek starts on the banks of Inle lake and takes you up the hills for around 3, 5 hours to culminate at the Kakku pagodas. There is a lunch stop in a monastery from where you can enjoy the local culture and landscapes.
By car; You can arrange a car at Inle lake that will be available for you the whole day, driving you to the Kakku pagodas and doing some very interesting stops along the way. I combined the Kakku pagodas trips with a visit to a tobacco farm, walking around a Pa´O village and visiting the Aythaya winery. The price is 50 000 Kyats and the advantage you have is that as you are going on your own you can enjoy the trip at your own pace and tell the driver wherever you would like to take a picture. And believe me the landscape is beautiful all along.
Entrance fee
The Kakku pagoda entrance fee is 3 dollars and you can get a local guide for 5 dollars if there is any available when you are there. Dollars and Kyats are accepted.
Best photo spot on the Kakku pagodas complex
On the right hand side as you enter the Kakku pagodas through the main entrance there is a pond that beautifully reflect the pagodas on the water.
Play around finding the right angles to take that breathtaking picture of the side.
TIP; Wear some bright colored clothes such as red or blue. It really matches with the environment and water reflections.
Recommended stops on the way to Kakku pagodas
For those of you doing the trip on your own with a driver my advise to wake up very early morning so you can do some cultural stops on the way to Kakku pagodas and end up your visit doing some wine tasting at the Aythaya winery.
My recommended stops are;
Visit a tobacco private farm and observe the cheroots making process.
Walk inside a Pa´O village. Some people get invited for tea inside the houses.
Visit the local market in Taungyy
Stop for wine tasking in the Aythaya winery
READ MORE:
Things to do in Inle lake: The complete guide
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What a fascinating and unusual place with these thousands of pagodas, I’ve never seen anything like this in Asia. Definitely on my bucket list of places to visit when Myanmar is more normal and easy to travel again. Not sure what the conditions are to traveling again in the country.
I am not sure if traveling to Myanmar is safe at this moment. I was there in 2018 and I had a pretty pleasant and safe journey. I would investigate really well before going. I was advised to not look or interfere if I would see anything out of the ordinary going on. I was lucky to not encounter this type of experience but the situation has changed now.
Kakku pagodas complex is a really interesting place, indeed. I would prefer to go there trekking to enjoy the beauty and take some pictures along the way. I enjoy reading the article. It is a place I have never heard of. It would be great to visit.
Yes, if I decide to visit this place again I would to do the trek as well.
I love contemplative sites like the Kakku pagodas! It reminds me of why I travel – to find myself again. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but when I visit a place like this, I can reconnect with my inner spirit again. I would love to visit this place and take in the variety of stupas – even better that it’s off the beaten path and not overrun with tourists. I’ve added this stop to my itinerary for when I get to Myanmar!
Great, Jackie. I hope you can visit this place and Myanmar one day. I am sure you will not regret.
I didn’t heard about this place before I read your article but it’s just looks incredible! I always get fascinated by Buddhist temples and this one has such beautigul details, can’t wait to visit Myanmar!
The energy in this place is so beautiful. I hope you can visit one day.
What an amazing site! I would love to walk between those 2000 stupas and see as many as I can during my time there. I love that they are all so different, so there is something to see and observe at every single one of them. It is good to know that you can hike there and hire a guide at the entrance.
Yes, although hiking there would require a local guide as well, as the trekking trails are not clearly marked as in Europe.
I have seen so many pictures of the Kakku pagodas and they all look amazing. I would love to approach the pagodas on a hiking trail. And actually I was not aware that they are that close to Lake Inle.
Yes, indeed. But the hike is not that obvious, I would recommend hiring a local hike guide for this purpose.
Ahhh I’m still kicking myself for not visiting Myanmar when we lived in Thailand! It looks so beautiful and I love the history! I would love to go see the Buddhist stupas
I love Thailand and I have been there many times, but the rawness and authenticity of Myanmar are without equal in South East Asia.
I’ve not yet travelled to this part of the world yet. But this definitely would be something that appeals to me. I love the idea of spiritual, health and relaxing slow travel. Those sites of the pagoda are the ultimate way to stop and be in the moment. Thanks for the inspo and finding these hidden gems.
I visited Myanmar in 2013 and for the longest time considered it my favorite country in the world. Spiritual and architectural sites like Kukku Pagodas are absolutely incredible and this article brought me back. Thought when did you go? I’m so worried about Mynamar in its current political state!
Hello Anne,
I also left Myanmar, considering it my favorite country in the world. Mostly because of the peaceful feeling its people and landscape brought me.
I was there in 2018, and there were not many tourists at that time due to the ongoing conflict going in the Rakhine state. I avoided this area and I was lucky to have a very safe and pleasant journey but the situation has changed now, so I do not think it is safe traveling there now. I have some local Burmese friends who work on tourism in my Facebook. I will ask them. I really would like to go back and visit more of this stunning country.