Karen state or Kayin state, is an administrative division of the Burma.
To know
It is not allowed to travel for tourist purposes in the territory of the state due to the conflict between the military junta and the Karen groups. However, it is possible to visit the Three Pagodas pass from Thailand, thanks to a temporary permit issued at customs.
The Karen ethnic group is organized politically in the "Karen National Union" (KNU) and militarily in the "Karen National Liberation Army" (KNLA).
Culture and traditions
Most of the population professes the Buddhist religion. There are Christian minorities of Baptist confession. Animism is widely practiced and coexists with official religions.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
- Pa-An (or Hpa-An) - Capital of the Karen state. It still has the appearance of a village although there is an annoying traffic of trucks and motorcycles.
- Hlaignbwe
- Hpapun
- Kawkareik
- Kyaikdo
- Kyain Seikgyi
- Myawaddy
- Payathonsu
- Thandang
- Thandanggyi
Other destinations
- Kloeng Thaw Waterfalls - 12 km from the Three Pagodas Pass.
- Pass of the Three Pagodas - A border post on the border with Thailand The insurgent forces of the Karen and the Mon in the 1980s have long fought for control. The government army regained control in 1989. Foreign tourists from Thailand are allowed to cross the border. For the payment of 10 dollars, you get a one-day permit. However, the rebel forces are still present in the area and occasionally "skirmishes" take place with the government army.
How to get
How to get around
What see
What to do
At the table
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Karen state
Commons contains images or other files on Karen state
