During December holidays, Bagan ancient cultural region situated in Nyaung-U Township, Mandalay Region, was crowded with holiday-makers and pilgrims also climbed Mount Popa in Kyaukpadaung Township. 

Since December 23, there have been a large number of pilgrims visiting Bagan. It is reported that a large number of people climbed the 4,981-foot-high Mt. Popa  on Christmas Day which fell on December 25, and many climbers come every year until the New Year period.

“The majority of those who arrived in the mountain came from nearby Kyaukpadaung Township. The locals also came from the Yananchaung, Magway and Nyaung-U townships. On Christmas day, there were groups of hikers who spent the night in makeshift tents at the old helipad," said a vendor from Mt.Popa.

“Pilgrims come to Bagan during Christmas and New Year until the hotels are almost full. Although, the pilgrims are not as crowded as usual this year, almost all the rooms are not empty," said a local from Bagan ancient archaeological site.

It is reported that the number of people climbing the Mt.Popa is increasing year by year, and locals from downtown and nearby villages in Kyaukpadaung and Nyaung-U townships frequently come to the Mt. Popa.