ALAUNGDAW KATHAPA NATIONAL PARK
The First National Park of Myanmar and ASEAN Heritage
A Wonder Land of Woodpecker
This Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birding, birds watching and trekking tours site, Alaungdaw Kathapa (N 22˚ 30' and E 94˚ 20') lies to the west of Chindwin River, and between this river and the valley of Myittha. It consists of two Reserve Forests, namely Patolone RF and Taungdwin RF. This is established in 1984 as a national park for conserving unspoiled biodiversities. The park is 1600 sq km (616.84 sq mile) in size with a well forested mountainous area. The nearest town is Yinmarbin which park office runs in that town.
The park is well known for its wealth of biological diversity. It belongs the central mixed deciduous forests that are undisturbed such as moist upper mixed deciduous forest, dry mixed deciduous forest and low mixed deciduous forest. The virgin indaing (dipterocrap) forest places in the central of the park and the Pine Forest are on the hillsides. Evergreen Forest can be seen along the major streams.
Alaungdaw Kathapa is wonderful place for birds watchers and nature lovers. In this park only 235 bird species have been recorded, but it is believed many unseen species are yet to be discovered. This Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birding, birds watching and trekking tours site is a wonder land of Woodpecker in South East Asia. Here can see 18 species of Woodpecker such as Eurasian Wryneck, Speckled Piculet, White-browed Piculet, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Yellownape, Common Flameback, Himalayan Flameback, Greater Flameback, White-bellied Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Pale-headed Woodpecker and Rufous Woodpecker. Other specialities are three species of Myanma endemic bird such as Hooded Treepie, White-throated Babbler and Burmese Bushlark, Kalij Pheasant, Blue-eared Barbet, Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Red-headed Trogon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Asian Barred Owlet, White-eyed Buzzard, White-rumped Falcon, Collared Falconet, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Large Woodshrike, Common Woodshrike, White-browed Fantail, Black-backed Forktail, Hill Myna, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatche, Olive Bulbul, Greater Neckalced Laughingthrushe, Lesser Neckalced Laughingthrushe, White-bellied Yuhina and others.
One may also see a range of larger animals such as Wild Elephant, Leopard, Cloud Leopard, Gaur, Banteng, Bear, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, as well as many other small mammals.
In addition the observation of butterflies (recorded in about 200 species), various species of reptile, amphibian, fish, insect, plant and orchid, elephant riding and trekking in several types of natural forests and visiting the historical famous Alaungdaw Kathapa Shrine can be made in this Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birding, birds watching and trekking tours site. Millions of bat host in the cave that is near the Alaungdaw Kathapa Shrine. It is one of the most famous pagodas in the region that is located in the center of the park. Hundreds of thousand pilgrims pay homage to the pagoda annually during the dry season.
The park is accessible by car in the peak season and by elephants in the rainy season. The best time to visit is from December to May.
