Mount Popa is an extinct volcano 1518 metres above sea level, about one hours drive southeast of Bagan, in the Pegu Range. Mount Popa is perhaps best known as a pilgrimage site, with numerous Nat temples and relic sites atop the mountain. Southwest of Mount Popa is Taung Kalat a sheer-sided volcanic plug, which rises 657 metres above sea level. A Buddhist monastery is located at the summit of Taung Kalat. The Taung Kalat pedestal hill is sometimes itself called Mount Popa and given that Mount Popa is the name of the actual volcano that caused the creation of the volcanic plug, to avoid confusion, the volcano (with its crater blown open on one side) is generally called Taung Ma-gyi (mother hill).
Our plan was to climb the 777 steps of Taung Kalat but due to a religious festival it was very busy, so we opted to go up Mount Popa itself for spectacular views of Taung Kalat and the surrounding areas. We stopped at the Mount Popa Resort for a drink, a lovely hotel with great views of Taung Kalat – this would be a lovey location to stay for a night or two.
Driving to and from Mount Popa was just as much fun as the final destination. Once outside of Bagan most of the journey was through rural agricultural land. We stopped at a peanut and palm oil farm. We were able to see peanuts being ground into peanut oil using a ox and grinding machine – the ox walked in circles for up to two hours grinding the peanuts into peanut oil. We were also able to watch the collection of palm juice from a palm tree and the process involved in making brown sugar – palm juice comes from the fruits and branches of the palm tree (did you know palm trees are male and female, with the female bearing fruits) and once heated for two hours turns into brown sugar. The palm juice can also be fermented with sticky rice in a liquor making process. It was fascinating and gave us a real insight into life in rural Myanmar.
Another find was a colourful local market, selling fruit, vegetables and plants. As the temperature is cooler around Mount Popa they are able to grow different fruits to Bagan and more plants. This market was full of dragon fruit, custard or sugar apples, guava, bananas, yellow champac flowers and beautiful orchids.
A day trip to Mount Popa is well worth it from Bagan, particularly if you have more than a couple of days in Bagan.
2 Comments.
No sign of any Durian on the fruit stall then…………..
Once again stunning photographs, best geography lesson ever!
No Durian at Mount Popa but plenty in Bangkok…haven’t had one yet though!