Tourists increase to Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain in Thantaunggyi region, Kayin State

It has been reported that visitors have begun to flock to Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain in Thantaunggyi region, Kayin State, in June 2026, after an absence of approximately six years due to security conditions in the region, including the COVID-19 pandemic. A resident of Taungoo city, who traveled to Nobu Bo Mountain this June, stated, "I went yesterday and returned safely. The road conditions are also good. The road is not blocked. There were many motorcyclists on the road as well. It might have been because it was Saturday and Sunday. The mountain top was also full of people," he said, describing the road conditions. Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain (Bwe Hki Kho Mountain) is located at an altitude of 4824 feet above sea level and is known to be one of the highest mountains in the Thantaunggyi region of Kayin State. From the top of Nobu Bo Mountain, visitors can see layers of clouds and, at sunrise, beautiful layers of clouds illuminated by the sun, making it a popular tourist destination where visitors used to arrive in time for the morning sunrise. It is known that travel to the Thantaunggyi region, including Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain, was suspended starting from the COVID-19 pandemic period in 2020. Following the political changes in 2021, due to security conditions in the Thantaunggyi region of Kayin State, checkpoints were established on the Taungoo-Thantaunggyi road, leading to a halt in travel. Normal tourism operations did not resume until 2025, and it was in June 2026 that visitors to Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain in the Thantaunggyi region began to increase again. Regarding the situation of increased visitors to the Thantaunggyi region of Kayin State via the Taungoo-Thantaunggyi road, it has been reported that there are critical comments on social media, such as, "We are not saying don't go, but it is very dangerous if there is fighting on both sides of the route. Local residents who know better do not go. Some young people from the city who don't know are going. Be aware and cautious. If you really want to go, inquire first. Don't think that just because it hasn't happened to others, it won't happen to you. We are worried about something unfortunate happening." It is known that Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain (Bwe Hki Kho Mountain) is named after Princess Nobu Bo, a heroine from Karen folklore. It is believed that prayers made at Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain are fulfilled, and therefore, people from all over Myanmar, regardless of ethnicity or religion, visit to pray. Although foreign tourists were previously restricted from entering the Thantaunggyi region, after 2015, foreign tourists were allowed to visit, and even stay overnight on Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain. Officials at the Prayer Mountain also explain the legend of Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain. There are 374 steps leading up to Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain, and near the stairs, small prayer rooms have been built where people of all ethnicities and religions can pray. It is also known that the trees on the cliffs surrounding Nobu Bo Mountain have not grown beyond their normal size for many years, making it a unique Prayer Mountain. To travel from Taungoo city to Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain, one must travel about 28 miles along the Taungoo-Thantaunggyi road. The route is lush and green, making Nobu Bo Prayer Mountain in the Thantaunggyi region of Kayin State a refreshing and peaceful destination for both domestic and international tourists.