Popa – the Land of Golden Champak Flowers – is now in full bloom. Strolling through its villages, visitors are greeted by the sweet fragrance of these blossoms, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.
TOURIST arrivals at the Bagan-Popa remain moderate even after the Thingyan period, with some interest in visiting during the early monsoon, according to locals and tourists.
“Some people go to Bagan for the cool, calm weather and natural beauty during the rainy season. It is too hot in the summer, so they choose the rainy or cold season. There are not as many people as during the festival seasons like Thadingyut and Tazaungdine. However, there are still a fair number of visitors on weekends, holidays, and religious days. Some come with their families or friends. They visit Bagan and then go to Popa to relax and enjoy the natural beauty,” said a local.
People from Yangon, Mandalay, and other places visit Bagan-Popa as a recreation trip, and newlyweds also take pre-wedding photos.
In Popa, which is also known as the land of golden champak flowers, this is the blooming time, and a walk into any village will greet the visitors with its sweet scent, said Ko Tin Ko Min from the Maha Giri group. Popa is roughly divided into the east village (Tawzachaung) and the west village (south, central, and north), and these flowers abound in the former part. The Bagan-Popa trip has attracted a large number of tourists since October, and the number of tourists usually increases during holidays, according to locals. — MT/ZN
