Popa Mountain National Park

Popa Mountain National Park protects the Mount Popa volcanic massif in central Myanmar, centred on an extinct volcano that rises prominently above the surrounding plains. The mountain and its outlying cliffs are both a natural and cultural landmark in the region.

The Mount Popa area has long held religious and cultural significance for local communities and pilgrims. The landscape combines geological features of an extinct volcano with longstanding spiritual associations; the protected-area designation was created to conserve the massif’s forest and biodiversity alongside its cultural sites.

The park sits in central Myanmar within Magway Region, centred on the Mount Popa massif which stands above the surrounding dry plains.

• Summit elevation: the highest point in the park is the summit of the extinct volcano at roughly 1,518 metres, offering panoramic views over the surrounding plains.
• Pilgrimage site: contains a prominent pilgrimage site on a volcanic plug, which is a major cultural and religious attraction.

What to See #

• Mount Popa summit: a volcanic massif with a summit rising to approximately 1,518 metres; the slopes are forested and form the central feature of the protected area.
• Taung Kalat monastery: a volcanic plug crowned by a Buddhist monastery and shrine reached by a stairway; it is a focal pilgrimage site within the park.