The number of tourists visiting Mount Popa in the last two months touched over 2,000, according to the site’s board of trustees. In addition, several locals also visited the pilgrimage site in Mandalay Region in central Myanmar. Mount Popa is situated about 50 kms southeast of Bagan.
Tourists usually head to Mount Popa after visiting the Bagan ancient cultural zone, said U Kyaw Win Swe, the secretary of Mount Popa’s board of trustees.
Over the last two months, tourists from more than 20 Asian and European countries visited Mount Popa, and a majority of them were from France, followed by Germany. Among Asian countries, the number of visitors from Japan was the highest, followed by the Republic of Korea.
During the summer holidays in primary schools, Mount Popa is crowded with pilgrims and tourists. However, most visitors make day trips and the number of visitors staying overnight is extremely low at present.
Over 15,500 tourists visited Mount Popa in 2018. Macaque monkeys found on the site have become a tourist attraction. Tourists like to take pictures of the monkeys, besides buying locally produced herbs and products. Visitors are also keen to explore the geological features of Mount Popa.
Meanwhile, locals head to Mount Popa on a pilgrimage, with some visiting the site to worship Nat (Spirits).
— Ko Htein (Ngathayauk)
(Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
