Saddan Cave, Buddhist cave temple in Hpa-An, Myanmar
Natural limestone formations extend throughout the cave system, featuring massive stalactites hanging from ceilings that reach cathedral-like heights of several meters.
The cave derives its name from a Buddhist legend about a sacred elephant that resided within its chambers during ancient times in Myanmar.
Multiple Buddha statues, stupas, and gold-painted stucco designs decorate the cave walls, reflecting the strong Buddhist traditions of local communities.
Visitors should bring shoes for the 15-minute underground passage walk, prepare 1000 kyat for entry, and expect varying surface conditions including concrete, rocks and sand.
The exit path leads to a hidden lake surrounded by limestone mountains, where local fishermen navigate through partially submerged cave sections.
Location: Hpa-An
GPS coordinates: 16.74005,97.71845
Latest update: March 7, 2025 04:56
Myanmar offers photographers an exceptional range of subjects, from ancient temple complexes to natural landscapes. The archaeological zone of Bagan, with more than 2,000 pagodas and temples spread across 40 square miles (104 square kilometers), ranks among Southeast Asia's most significant historical sites. The golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, its central stupa rising 325 feet (99 meters), dominates the skyline of the former capital. At Inle Lake, photographers document the daily life of locals who propel their boats with a distinctive leg-rowing technique, along with floating gardens and villages built on stilts. The country's temple architecture appears in various forms: the white Ananda Temple in Bagan from the 11th century, the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay with its 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist texts, or the 2,478 stupas at Kakku in Shan State. U Bein Bridge near Amarapura, a 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) teak bridge built in 1850, draws photographers especially at sunrise and sunset. Natural formations such as the limestone caves at Pindaya containing thousands of Buddha statues, or the Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo appearing to balance on a cliff edge, expand the photographic possibilities. Beyond the well-known sites, other compelling subjects emerge: the colonial character of Mawlamyaing, the limestone mountains around Hpa-an, the 2,417-foot (737-meter) Mount Popa with its monastery atop a volcanic plug, or Gokteik Viaduct, a 2,260-foot (689-meter) railway bridge from the British colonial period. The 590-foot (180-meter) reclining Buddha statue Win Sein Taw Ya near Mawlamyaing and the monumental Buddha statues at Monywa demonstrate the scale of religious art in the country. The beaches at Ngapali on the west coast provide contrast to the cultural and historical sites in the interior.
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