After breakfast, travel to Thaton. Once the capital of the flourishing Mon Kingdom of Suvarnabhumi in the 3rd Century BC, the town has lost much of its former grandeur and importance.
What remains are traces of the city walls and pagodas of interest, such as Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda, believed to date back to the 5th Century BC and enshrining four Buddha teeth, and Thagyapaya Pagoda. Nearby are the ruined fortifications of Taikkala, a site at Ayetthema Village regarded as the actual city of Suvarnabhumi. From here, continue to the Bayin Nyi Cave, housing several Buddha images and the picturesque monastery, situated behind two water reservoirs.
Then drive on to Kawgun Village and visit the Kawgun Cave, a natural limestone cave measuring 200 ft high and 300 ft long. The rock surface is profusely decorated with different kinds of clay Buddha images and votive tablets. It is a rare cave in Lower Myanmar. Based on the style of the Buddha images, it can be dated back to the 15th Century AD and the Hanthawaddy period.
Upon arrival in Hpa‐an, transfer to Zwekabin Hotel for check‐in and overnight stay.
