By Thiha, the Traveller @ Thiha Lulin
Demawhso is a few minutes’ drive from Loikaw in Kayah State. It is abundant of natural beauty scenes and legendary interesting religious buildings. Hence, I would like to urge travellers to tour Demawhso and its environs whenever they arrive in Kayah State.
Demoso or Demawhso
The town named Demawhso in 1962 was known as the street to Nawngpale before 1952. Local people in the town have been living in unison with faith in various religions. Not only Roman Catholic churches but also Buddhist stupas and temples mushroom in the town in addition to beautiful scenes of mountain ranges, waterfalls, springs and caves.
Climate
Cold and wet weather helps create a good lifestyle for the people. Among many towns having hotness in climatic conditions, Demawhso always enjoys chilling in Kayah State.
How to pay visit to Demawhso
Travellers can go to Demawhso from Loikaw by car or motorcycle. It is a 40 minutes drive to Demawhso from Loikaw. However, many travelling sites scatter around the town and nearby villages. They have to take an adequate time for the visits. I made my trips under the arrangements of Treasure Host Loikaw. For more travelling site around Loikaw and other areas in the state, travellers may dial 09-970478282 for detailed information.
Destinations around Demawhso
I seem Demawhso possesses the largest number of travelling sites in Kayah State. These attractive moves such as natural beauties, lifestyle of locals, foodstuffs and religious edifices are interesting ones. I would like to mention what sites should be visited.
Ngwetaung Dam
Ngwetaung Dam is one of significant sites which should be visited in Demawhso. Embankment of the dam catches attention of visitors. View desks on embankment have been arranged for travellers to enjoy natural beauties. A car park and toilets are under construction to give services to the visitors. A vast green grass lawn is a good scene for taking photos. Travellers can view traditional costumes such as bronze rings at necks of female Padaung vendors. In fact, a feeder creek of Ngwetaung Creek was blocked as earthen Ngwetaung Dam on which local people and farmers rely for the purpose of agriculture and drinking.
Htipwint Lake, Thitsa Lake
The water surface of the lake seemed as a mouth of old volcano spews out sand in shape of umbrellas. So, local people name such a move as opening the umbrellas. I have experiences of visiting the Htipwint Lake two times.
During the first trip, I saw opening sandy umbrellas in the lake. But, I missed chance to enjoy the similar scenes on the second trip. The lake is 227 feet long and 115 feet wide. In the legendary stories, sisters of Dwe Mei Naw played in the lake. Another lake close to the umbrella lake is named Thitsa Lake. The well of god is located there. In fact, Thitsa Lake is famous as a spring which never dries up. I saw spirit chambers are displayed around the area.
Seven series lakes
I noticed the lake has been fenced, with facilities of placing roads, construction of recreation centres and traditional houses as temporary accommodation. A legendary story mentioned Prince Thudanu was in love with Dwe Mei Naw who took a bath in the lake at the foot of Ngwetaung Hill daily together with her six sisters. These lakes are located naturally at different levels in series starting from the foot of hill.
Demawhso Market
On my first trip, I saw hustle and bustle of Demawhso market on the market day held once three days. On the second trip, the market was also crowded with visitors even in the afternoon although it was not a market day. It was because local people and travellers tasted delicious barbeque and fried meats. Roasted beef or pork, fried meals and Kayah sausages are good cuisines with Kayah traditional brews. On the market day, local female Padaung vendors arrived at the market to sell goods and some persons traded small and large containers of traditional brews.
Hsintaung spring
The spring at Nanmeikhon in Demawhso is attractive to travellers. Water at the spring is very clean and blue. Water is not too much deep. Some locals take a bath at the spring whereas picnickers take a rest at the spring on Saturdays and Sundays when some local students sell traditional brews and foodstuffs for earning incomes. Up to now, the spring is naturally beautifying because it is a specific recreation area without maintainers. However, the road to the spring is just a lane for one vehicle. So, it is difficult to dodge two cars on opposite ways.
Koingan spring
The spring is flanked by a Roman Catholic Church and a swimming pool. The spring originates from the underground river of Htiparunu Tunnel. The statues of Roman Catholic Christians are kept in a cave. Travellers can pay visit to the spring in Koingan Village of Saungsula Village-tract, along the road from the junction of Nawngpale Village.
Cave for Our Lady of Lourdes
Travellers strolling along the street to Koingan spring will first see the Cave for Our Lady of Lourdes. It is a holly site for Roman Catholic Christians, whose church is located at the foot of the hill. Religious ceremonies take place on the hill.
Panpet
Travellers pay visit to Panpet Village where Kayan (Padaung) ethnic people reside. Entrance to the village is crowded with shops for selling various items of domestic products, souvenirs and traditional ornaments. Visitors will have chances to observe weaving works of Kayan ethnic people (especially women) and placing of bronze rings at necks.
Travellers can take photos wearing Kayan costumes. They can pose for documentary photos together with Kayah belles. I noticed number of caravans’ increases in Panpet Village this year more than that of previous year. The village of Kayan ethnics should show interesting activities so as to catch attention of local and foreign travellers with just a move of weaving works.
Tawkyettaung Pagoda
The pagoda is dubbed as Shwekyettaung Pagoda by some people. Silver pagodas on the hill can be seen from a far distance. Ladders are arranged for pilgrims to the pagodas on the hill. It is an area of sanctuary for jungle fowls. It is significant that the pagoda and encircled pagodas were decorated with silver paint. From the terrace of the highest pagoda, travellers can enjoy beautiful scenes.
Loinanpha Hill
It is the highest hill not only in Demawhso but also in Kayah State, at an altitude of 5,010 feet. Despite difficulties to climb up, nature lovers and explorers scale the hill. In fact, travellers should take a time to climb Loinanpha Hill which is one of attractive sites in Demawhso.
Hsinbyu Hill
I think Hsinbyu Hill is involved in the area of Pruhso Township but some say it is in Demawhso Township. Entrance fee for car is collected at some areas. Travellers spent night in tents on the hill but such a move was not allowed later due to requests of village authorities. Now, accommodation is arranged for travellers in the valley. Travellers can enjoy the best views of sunset and sunrise, taking position on the hill. In fact, travellers must take a long time to the hill but the most beautifully panoramic view may be a compensation for their precious time.
Lodging
On my trip, I stayed at Royal Naung Yah Hotel to spent night in Loikaw. I viewed lovely aerial scene of Loikaw from the top floor of the hotel while having breakfast. The hotel takes position near Nawngyah Lake, not far from downtown and market.
In my view, Kayah State will have larger number of travellers as of 2020. It is because local travellers are willing to make trips to new areas while globetrotters wish to wonder around many new sites in addition to Bagan, Inlay and Ngapali of Myanmar. That is why Kayah State becomes a favorite one of all travellers. Hence, now is an opportune time of Kayah State to make preparations for providing accommodation to the guests. I firmly believe travelling sites in Kayah State can give satisfaction to both local and foreign travellers.
Have a safe, secure, healthy and happy trip. Translated by Than Tun Aung
