Major city · Myanmar
Loikawလွိုင်ကော်
Spend 1–2 days in Loikaw: explore the town, nearby pagoda and lake, then take a short day‑trip to a dam or waterfall.
Loikaw is the administrative capital of Kayah State, set in a lake‑dotted plain with hills. Its main sights – Taung Kwe Pagoda, Naung Yar Lake and the state museum – fit in a half‑day each. A nearby dam, waterfalls or ethnic‑village tours add a full day, so 1–2 days cover the basics.
advisory country
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MMK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- avoid May–Oct (monsoon, road closures)
- Airport
- LIW
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…Check your own government travel advice for Myanmar befor…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Myanmar ↗Check your own government travel advice for Myanmar before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Myanmar ↗The Myanmar e-visa site is the official application route, but approval does not remove the risks in your government's advice.
- Myanmar ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Myanmar before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Loikaw191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Loikaw, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkPayment and banking conditions are not assessed here; check with your bank and your government advice.Myanmar-wide
- SafetyLoikaw is generally safe for day visitors; avoid remote roads during monsoon and stay with a local guide for village visits.
- Emergency numbers191 police · 192 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIW Loikaw Airport (Daily flight from Yangon; Air KBZ also on Mon, Wed, Fri).
- Getting aroundMost of town is walkable; bicycles or motorbikes can be hired for nearby villages.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a tea shop₭300–500
- Street or quick mealShan noodles₭400–800
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km))₭2,000–3,000
- Budget bedBasic inn room, a night, per personMMK 8,000
- Mid-range bedBasic inn room, a night, per personMMK 12,000
- High-end bedBasic inn room, a night, per personMMK 18,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MMK 5,000 · Mid MMK 8,000 · High MMK 12,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIW Loikaw Airport (Daily flight from Yangon; Air KBZ also on Mon, Wed, Fri)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Loikaw: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Most of town is walkable; bicycles or motorbikes can be hired for nearby villages. Tuktuks and taxis are available; private 4×4 needed for remote day‑trips.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ngwe Taung Dam
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Hire a private car or 4×4 from Loikaw; 30 min drive south
Scenic lake, good photo spot.
Htee Sel Khar Waterfalls
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round
Private car, 1 h north
Staircase waterfalls, swimming possible.
Kayan villages
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Organise local guide; 5,000–10,000 kyat
Check ethics, ensure community benefit.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kayan Golden Sky Motel
12 rooms, AC, rooftop breakfast, free Wi‑Fi; US$30 double
Moon Joy Inn
Basic rooms, 8,000 kyat; popular with locals
Nan Ayar Inn
15,000 kyat double, shared bathroom
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₭5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₭8,000–12,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room2 × 1 night × MMK 45,000 | MMK 90,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MMK 8,000 | MMK 16,000 |
| Taxi from LIW airport to town centre2 × MMK 15,000 · check | MMK 30,000 |
| Bicycle hire (full day)2 × MMK 2,000 · check | MMK 4,000 |
| Local guide for village day‑trip2 × MMK 8,000 · check | MMK 16,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MMK 15,600 |
| Trip total≈ MMK 85,800 per person per day, bed included | MMK 171,600 |
2026 estimate in kyat; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a tea shop | ₭300–500 |
| Hin Htote plate | ≈₭500 |
| Shan noodles | ₭400–800 |
| Taxi within town (5 km) | ₭2,000–3,000 |
| Bicycle hire (day) | ₭2,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads to remote sights can be dirt and flood in monsoon – check conditions before travel.
- Some ethnic‑village tours raise ethical concerns; choose operators that benefit locals.
- The area is still mined from past conflict – stay on marked paths.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 192
Pocket card
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Loikawလွိုင်ကော်
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ဒီလိပ်စာကို ဦးတည်ပေးပါTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance192
Embassy
Check the US consulate in Yangon; other embassies in Nay Pyi Taw.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- LIW → Loikaw town centre, taxi: ≈₭15,000 (check)
- Bike hire, full day: ≈₭2,000 (check)
Say or show
- တဆင့် — Excuse me / Sorry (ta sin)
- ကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ် — Thank you (kyay zu tin ba de)
- ဘယ်လောက်ပါလဲ? — How much is it? (be laut pa le?)
- အိမ်သာဘယ်မှာလဲ? — Where is the bathroom? (ein tha be hma le?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Loikaw. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cooler) · avoid May–Oct (monsoon, road closures)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel transport contract for LIW.
- Bicycle‑rental network around town centre.
- Guided day‑trip packages to dams and waterfalls.
Sources
Ask about Loikaw
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