Towering over the surrounding landscape, Myanmar's solitary Mount Popa can be seen from quite a distance. The remains of an ancient volcano, the mountain is an important Burmese pilgrimage site, located 30 mi/50 km southeast of Bagan. A museum there contains 37 nats, or spirits, that are the objects of the pilgrims' devotion.
The pagodas at the summit are reached by a seemingly endless stairway (you can rest at several monkey-inhabited shrines along the way). We appreciated the cool air at the top almost as much as we enjoyed the views of the countryside below.
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