01 June
Green Tea Industry
The author felt well satisfied with the chance of observing Hsekya-in Natural Green Tea Industry Hsekya-in village in Pindaya. With the guidance of an organization from Germany, modern natural green tea managed to be cultivated and produced. The green tea is hygienically produced and it can reduce 5 per cent of carbon dioxide gas.
We don't know this smell, but the foreigners know it. The presence and absence of this smell show the quality of the coffee. The author remembered that he encountered heavy rain while studying the green tea industry and the family of the host served him wet tea leaves without artificial sweetening agent while having a chat. Looking at the rainfall among the mountain ranges from Danu traditional house while sipping plain green tea is very delicious.
Danu traditional paper and umbrella industry
The author continued observing Danu traditional paper and umbrella enterprises. He studied different processes of making samples. The traditional paper and umbrella industry of U Kyaw Shwe is located in a locality not far from Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda. The author made a video recording on production processes of traditional paper and this video was already uploaded. Local products include hand-made umbrella, fan, book, envelope, paper lantern, lantern, bamboo hat and toys. The foreigners buy them as gifts and local visitors as home use.
Konlon Sayadawgyi Corpse Cave Shrine Edifice (Lwan Zedi)
The famous Buddhist monk in Pindaya is Konlon Sayadaw Shintajay Niyasa. When the Sayadaw passed away, the body of the Sayadaw did not go rotten, hair and nails lengthened. The Sayadaw was believed as if he was alive. The corpse of the Sayadawgyi was put into the glass coffin. The pagoda where the corpse of the Sayadawgyi was put into the glass coffin is called Lwan Zedi. The formation of the Lwan Zedi looks strangely beautiful and sublime. There is no smelling inner Zedi. Record images of offering alms, fruits and flowers to the Sayadaw can be paid obeisance. The Sayadawgyi was born in Tamel village, Htelthon village tract in Pindaya on 4 April in 1900. At the age of 13 the Sayadawgyi became a novice and at the age of 20 the Sayadawgyi became a monk. His age was 96 years and he had 76 years of monkhood. He was famous for vegetarian. A 20 minutes’ drive from Pindaya can reach Konlon Sayadawgyi Corpse Cave Shrine Edifice. It is higher than Pindaya because it is 4,352 feet above sea level.
Pwayhla Market
Pwayhla is a village but it is believed as if it was a big city because it is hustle and bustle. The author ate lunch in Pwayhla market in the time of lesser buyers and then he looked around the market, he saw edible root from the herb Allium tuberosum and tubers and bulbs as well as species of orchid.
Pwayhla Hawnan (Manor of Shan chief)
The author did not reach Pintaya manor of Shan Chief in this trip schedule, but he visited Pwayhla Hawhan which is more than 100 years old and it has existed since the Japanese era. There only the daughter of the Shan chief is currently living. The author felt well satisfied with the chance of studying Hawnan. Pwayhla Hawnan can be seen as European structure designed with Myanmar handiworks. It is about 80 feet long and 50 feet side. The room the Shan chief lived, couch and electric cords used those days still remain. Bolts of the doors look strange. The holy place is more than 100 years old since the construction of Hawnan and the photos on the walls of living room upstairs are very historic. The first-ever Shan chief to the latest one can be seen at the same place. The author prefers exterior design of the structure.
Setkyar Taung (Settaw Taung) Pagoda
The corpse of the presiding Sayadaw who resided at Setkyar Taung (Settaw Taung) Pagoda en route to Ywangan from Pindaya was put into the glass coffin. Settaw Taung Pagoda became the cave shrine edifice. Only bones were left in the corpse. The current presiding Sayadaw did not dispose of the corpse of his senior Sayadaw who passed away on which he always concentrated and practiced Dhamma every day. On the other mountain of Setkyar Taung Pagoda, a new Zedi has appeared and it looks like a strange shape of tunnel. It is supposed that it would be alive with a teeming crowd of pilgrims if completed. The visitors can observe the mountain ranges and plantations and enjoy the beauty of villages near that mountain.
Trekking and hiking in Pindaya's environs
The visitor can go trekking and go hiking activities in Pindaya's environs hiring local guide. The visitors can spend half day, one or two or three night stopovers in the villages while exploring environmental knowledge such as lifestyles of ethnic villages and enjoying the beauties of forests and mountains. Local guides give services for Pindaya-Yasakyi, Pindaya-Inlay, Pindaya-Kalaw, Pindaya-Kanhlakone/Shwe Pahtoe and Pindaya-Ywangan. At present, the foreign travellers are going there, but local ones don't know much about the visiting situation in Pindaya.
The places to put up in Pindaya
The hotels available to be chosen in Pindaya are not many. The prices are very reasonable in general. This time the place the author put up was at Conqueror Resort. The bungalows are all lovely and their items are in good state. The hospitality of the staffs reflects honesty of the local people. The hotel is very near Shweoomin Cave Pagoda and the age-old banyan tree. The visitors can go there either on foot or by bicycle. It is near the market and Pindaya Hawnan as well. Other choices the visitors can make are Inle Inn Hotel, Golden Cave Hotel, and Global Grace Hotel.
Pindaya the author said earlier is not as same as Pindaya he thought of. When the author actually arrived in Pindaya, he obviously saw the place of the hidden beauties. The author believes that the article would help those wishing to visit Pindaya, the land of Danu in the south of Shan State during the visit if they read it.
By Thiha, the Traveller @ Thiha Lulin
Translated by Htut Htut (Twantay)
