Situated at 4,330 feet (1,320 meters) above sea level, among the rolling pine-covered hills of the Shan Plateau, Kalaw is one of the most famous hill stations in Myanmar, frequented in British colonial times by government and military officials looking to beat the summer heat. Today, Kalaw still retains pockets of this colonial charm, with large country houses and churches dotting the wide, sloping roads. Located 29 miles (47 kilometers) west of Inle Lake, Kalaw is a trekking heartland; hikers enjoy the journey through the misty blue Kalaw mountain ranges, peppered with vibrantly attired Palaung, Pa-O, Intha and Shan hill-tribe residents. The area is also a naturalist's paradise, boasting hundreds of species of birds, insects, butterflies, monkeys, other animals and orchids.