The interior
Stalactites and stalagmites.
Andrea Pepoli from Rimini, Italia — CC BY 2.0 · Andrea Pepoli from Rimini, Italia — CC BY 2.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0
Saddan Cave is a large limestone cave at the southern end of the Zwegabin range, near the town of Hpa-An in Kayin State. It is the longest cave in the state, running about 107 metres from east to west and 40 metres wide at its widest point. Its narrow entrance sits about nine metres above the ground, and it is named after Saddan, the king of elephants in local legend, who lived near the cave. People call the largest stalagmite inside the Stone Pillar of the King of Elephants. A festival is held here every year on the last day of the water festival. You walk barefoot through a vast darkness, with stalactites hanging from the roof and stalagmites rising on both sides, and small golden shrines near the entrance. At the far end the cave opens onto a calm lake ringed by forest and rock, said to be the elephant king's bathing lake, and you usually return by small boat through a water tunnel. Hpa-An is about 19 km away in a straight line. Bring a torch, since the inside is dark, and watch the wet floor. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to this area, and roads and flights may be cut, so read the current advice before you plan.
Stalactites and stalagmites.
At the exit.
Through a water tunnel.
Southern end of the Zwegabin range, near Hpa-An, Kayin State, Myanmar
Yes, shoes come off at the entrance, and the floor is wet.
By small boat from the lake, or on foot around the hill.