Akauk Taung
Akauk Taung
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
33 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
10
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
TwoKatz
Metchosin, Canada1,549 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
From Pyay you drive over the Nawaday bridge to the other side of the Ayeyarwady River. There are lots of people collecting car tolls - it's hard to tell who's legitimate and who's not. We drove to Okshittpin then to a village on the river called Hton Bo - so total about 90 minutes from Pyay.
There our guide hired a boat, we picked up a local man guide and a local girl guide (not sure if mandatory or not but they weren't letting us go without them - in the nicest possible way) and we were off down the Ayeyarwady River. The boat was large and comfortable - we noticed for local tourists they cram about 30 people aboard but for us was just us two, our guide and driver, the two local guides and the boat man. There were only two life jackets for us - the guests...
A few minutes later we were at Akauk Taung (Tax Mountain) the sand stone cliffs with hundreds of Buddhas carved into niches. The mountain is named for the mid-19th century toll takers, who spent the hours between taxing boats carving reclining and meditating Buddhas into the steep cliffs. It's very interesting and beautiful and very photogenic except the sun was in a poor orientation, but not sure it ever would be in a good one. I guess they worked in the shade for a reason... We stopped at a place where we could walk up the cliff - fortunately they have concrete stairs and are in the process of installing quite elegant stainless steel hand railings! Along the way we walked past a long wall of the niche carvings and ladies selling short bamboo rods as donation for pilgrims to 'prop up' the sandstone wall! On top was a nice pagoda and some friendly towns people. We bought a coconut for juice from a pleasant woman and after a small donation I signed the 'royal guest registry' or some such thing on our behalf.
Back at Hton Bo we tipped the man and girl guides (BTW -they spoke no English but with their pleasant mannerisms and enthusiasm it was fun anyway).
The Akauk Taung rock carvings is a highly recommended half day outing from Pyay.
There our guide hired a boat, we picked up a local man guide and a local girl guide (not sure if mandatory or not but they weren't letting us go without them - in the nicest possible way) and we were off down the Ayeyarwady River. The boat was large and comfortable - we noticed for local tourists they cram about 30 people aboard but for us was just us two, our guide and driver, the two local guides and the boat man. There were only two life jackets for us - the guests...
A few minutes later we were at Akauk Taung (Tax Mountain) the sand stone cliffs with hundreds of Buddhas carved into niches. The mountain is named for the mid-19th century toll takers, who spent the hours between taxing boats carving reclining and meditating Buddhas into the steep cliffs. It's very interesting and beautiful and very photogenic except the sun was in a poor orientation, but not sure it ever would be in a good one. I guess they worked in the shade for a reason... We stopped at a place where we could walk up the cliff - fortunately they have concrete stairs and are in the process of installing quite elegant stainless steel hand railings! Along the way we walked past a long wall of the niche carvings and ladies selling short bamboo rods as donation for pilgrims to 'prop up' the sandstone wall! On top was a nice pagoda and some friendly towns people. We bought a coconut for juice from a pleasant woman and after a small donation I signed the 'royal guest registry' or some such thing on our behalf.
Back at Hton Bo we tipped the man and girl guides (BTW -they spoke no English but with their pleasant mannerisms and enthusiasm it was fun anyway).
The Akauk Taung rock carvings is a highly recommended half day outing from Pyay.
Written January 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DonRome
Bangkok, Thailand391 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
The best way to come here is hiring a car with driver from Pyay. It takes around 1.30 hour to reach the village of Htonbo. From this village you can hire a private boat for 15,000 kyats It takes about an hour for the tour to temples at the top of Akuak Tuang mountains and passing by buddha statue caves on the way.
Written March 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hoshibara
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar136 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
If you visit there, you should take a boat to see old Buddha images along the Ayeyarwaddy River. You can get two kinds of experiences, boat ride along river and hiking experience to get the top of mountain.
Written October 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aativas
India127 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
I have visited many Pagodas in Myanmar. I have seen thousands of lovely Buddha images across Myanmar. But Akauk Taung was a unique experience.
Reached village Htonbo (one and half hour drive from Pyay) at 8.00 in the morning. The village welcomes us with a statue of Tha Khin Mya. He is one of the Martyrs, assassinated (with General Aung San and others) on 19 July 1947.
The bank of Ayrawaddy river was crowded. One can share a boat with other passengers. But we paid 15000 MMK to have a special ride. A smiling woman asked whether I wanted a guide. Though she was unable to speak English, I was able to chat with her in broken (basic) Burmese. She was very helpful. There is no fixed 'guide fee', whatever you feel like, you pay.
It was fascinating to watch the Buddha images carved in the mountain cliff at a particularly difficult angle. They are very impressive. I kept on wondering about the unknown artists and devotees.
We climbed some hundred steps to reach the Pagoda. On the way was able to closely see some of the carved images. They are stunning.
Overall a memorable experience. Don't miss it if you are going to Pyay.
Reached village Htonbo (one and half hour drive from Pyay) at 8.00 in the morning. The village welcomes us with a statue of Tha Khin Mya. He is one of the Martyrs, assassinated (with General Aung San and others) on 19 July 1947.
The bank of Ayrawaddy river was crowded. One can share a boat with other passengers. But we paid 15000 MMK to have a special ride. A smiling woman asked whether I wanted a guide. Though she was unable to speak English, I was able to chat with her in broken (basic) Burmese. She was very helpful. There is no fixed 'guide fee', whatever you feel like, you pay.
It was fascinating to watch the Buddha images carved in the mountain cliff at a particularly difficult angle. They are very impressive. I kept on wondering about the unknown artists and devotees.
We climbed some hundred steps to reach the Pagoda. On the way was able to closely see some of the carved images. They are stunning.
Overall a memorable experience. Don't miss it if you are going to Pyay.
Written January 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KoPyaeMandalay
Mandalay, Myanmar286 contributions
May 2018
Really worth to visit to Akauk Taung even it takes over one and half hour drive from Pyay to Htone Bo Sub-town where Tha Khin Mya ( One of famous 9 Myanmar Independent Martyrs who died together with General Aung San at July 19 , 1947 ) were born at this small town! At the entrance of the town , You can see the statue of Tha Khin Mya that is like symbol of the Htone Bo.
Akauk Taung means the hill where the Governor collected the tax to all the trading boats along the Ayeyerwaddy River. Even it is reached by car to the top , the best idea to see thousand Buddha Images and statues along the river is to take private boat to Akauk Taung Pagoda & It costs 15000 Kyats for the whole boat for return trip.
Akauk Taung means the hill where the Governor collected the tax to all the trading boats along the Ayeyerwaddy River. Even it is reached by car to the top , the best idea to see thousand Buddha Images and statues along the river is to take private boat to Akauk Taung Pagoda & It costs 15000 Kyats for the whole boat for return trip.
Written June 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dzung Tran
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam12 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
This rock cliff at Akauk Taung (Tax hill) is about 63km from Pyay town, in Htombo (or Tonbo) village. You can hire a motorbike driver, taxi or you can also take a local bus starting at 11am from a local bus station near the river (its gps address is 18.826694 95.214456).
The bus is no air-con, crowded with local people. The fare is just 1500kyat. You could be exhausted after a 90 minutes bus-ride.
The trouble is to go back to Pyay as it doesn't have any local bus to go back in the same day. You can take a motortaxi (1000kyat/person) to go back to the main road, waiting for another bus pass by to go back to Pyay. We took the 7:30pm bus and paid 2500kyat/person. They didn't drop us at the town, but on the highway (Padaung road). You can take another motortaxi to go back to town, or walking back.
Akauk Taung is a rock cliff that has many carving Buddha statues. The traditional custom to do when visiting this place is taking a small piece of tree (like a branch) and put it at feet of the damaged wall. It doesn't have any physical meaning but it's like a wish to 'help' protecting the wall not to fall down.
You must hire a boat to go to Akauk Taung. The price is usually 15000 kyat for return trip. If you are an advanture seeker, you can hire one way boat for 5000kyat and then explore the area nearby by walking.
On the top of the cliff is a pagoda and meditation center. Beside those places, you can visit other places like The first sermon of Buddha statue, two waterfalls (big and small - I just visited the big one), and then on the way walking back to the village, you will pass by a bridge and a group of Nat statues. You must rent a guide to take you to those places.
The bus is no air-con, crowded with local people. The fare is just 1500kyat. You could be exhausted after a 90 minutes bus-ride.
The trouble is to go back to Pyay as it doesn't have any local bus to go back in the same day. You can take a motortaxi (1000kyat/person) to go back to the main road, waiting for another bus pass by to go back to Pyay. We took the 7:30pm bus and paid 2500kyat/person. They didn't drop us at the town, but on the highway (Padaung road). You can take another motortaxi to go back to town, or walking back.
Akauk Taung is a rock cliff that has many carving Buddha statues. The traditional custom to do when visiting this place is taking a small piece of tree (like a branch) and put it at feet of the damaged wall. It doesn't have any physical meaning but it's like a wish to 'help' protecting the wall not to fall down.
You must hire a boat to go to Akauk Taung. The price is usually 15000 kyat for return trip. If you are an advanture seeker, you can hire one way boat for 5000kyat and then explore the area nearby by walking.
On the top of the cliff is a pagoda and meditation center. Beside those places, you can visit other places like The first sermon of Buddha statue, two waterfalls (big and small - I just visited the big one), and then on the way walking back to the village, you will pass by a bridge and a group of Nat statues. You must rent a guide to take you to those places.
Written June 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Apichai L
Bangkok, Thailand907 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
This place was about 60 km. from Pyay. When we arrived, we had to use the boat service which was private or shared boat. We took half day for this trip.
Written August 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yadanar Win
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar11 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
အေကာက္ေတာင္ ခရီးစဥ္
Across Ayeyarwaddy River on the western bank near Htone-Bo,there is a place of attraction called Akauk Taung (a toll-hill).At the end of the Second Anglo-Burmese war, Myanmar and British toll-posts were situated on Akauk Taung, a toll-hill in Myanmar language side by side. All boatmen had to pay tax to both posts. All sailing boats anchored close by the hill and waited till occasionally a week-long whirlpool ceased. The sailors prayed to God by carving Buddha images on the steep cliff side during that period. The mountain was named for the crafty toll-takers from the mid -19th Century. This trip will reveal one of the world heritage sites of Myanmar and the spectacular site of countless Buddha Images on the wall of Ayeyarwaddy River bank.There are more than 1000 buddha images but now it left 300 buddha images because of natural disaster
Across Ayeyarwaddy River on the western bank near Htone-Bo,there is a place of attraction called Akauk Taung (a toll-hill).At the end of the Second Anglo-Burmese war, Myanmar and British toll-posts were situated on Akauk Taung, a toll-hill in Myanmar language side by side. All boatmen had to pay tax to both posts. All sailing boats anchored close by the hill and waited till occasionally a week-long whirlpool ceased. The sailors prayed to God by carving Buddha images on the steep cliff side during that period. The mountain was named for the crafty toll-takers from the mid -19th Century. This trip will reveal one of the world heritage sites of Myanmar and the spectacular site of countless Buddha Images on the wall of Ayeyarwaddy River bank.There are more than 1000 buddha images but now it left 300 buddha images because of natural disaster
Written March 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoeNoe
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar23 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Wow...this place is so worth to see.It can't be seen easily like anything around the world.The architecture lover or anyone will love this place.
Written April 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John12312
Singapore, Singapore421 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
There are very few foreign visitors to this place. It is 1 1/2 hr drive from Pyay crossing the main steel bridge to the other side of Irrawaddy River. You can hire a boat costing 15,000Kyat. The 20min boat ride will take to a hill side where many ancient Buddha sculpture were carved out from the stone cliff wall. Some it seem were build-up and plastered rather than carved out. Although not all are great pieces of art, it was amazing how ancient people are able to reach the cliff along the river to carve out the figurines. I recommend to stop at the base of a hill and trek up to the hill where you can see more buddha sculptures. A small paya is situated at the top of the hill where you can have a spectacular view of the great Irrawaddy.
Written September 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I go here from Hilton Nagapali for the day ?
Written September 2, 2018
you can go as day return trip or stay at pyay & go there . if u stay at pyay i highly recommd hotel ksetra ( pyay ) .
Written September 5, 2018
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