Kakku (or Kak Ku) is a pagoda complex comprising about 2500 stupas, located on the eastern shore of Inlay lake (the Kulu mountain range, with its highest peak towering over 2000m, runs between the shore and the area where Kakku lies, making it easier to access the place via the dust road from Taunggyi -which is about 60km north-). Kakku is named after an adjacent village. The legend says that the two main stupas were built by two kings of different eras: Indian king Asoka (who allegedly built over 84000 sanctuaries during his life) and Bagan king Alaungsithu. Most stupas though appear to be from the 17th and 18th centuries (Konbaung and Yadanabon periods, Shan style). This array of diverse Buddhist-related architectural styles in such a secluded place is a pure delight! Walking thru this entire field filled with narrowly spaced stupas was one of the highlights of our "Burmese days".
Important to notice is that the land around Kakku is inhabited by ethnic PaO. The Yangon government let them deal with tourism and thus every visitor must get a PaO guide before heading on the bumpy road towards Kakku. Ours was a nice old man with many stories to tell…