Myitkyina is the capital and centrally located in the Kachin
State. It is the northern most railway terminal, 919 miles
from Yangon and 487 miles from Mandalay. Visitors can tour
the Myit Sone, the confluence of Maikha and Malikha Streams.
Ayeyarwady, the most useful river in Myanmar has its source
from this confluence and flows 1325 miles to the mouth of
the river. The water over here is crystal clear. For
mountaineering enthusiasts, expeditions to Mount Khaka Bo
Razi and Mount Gam Lan Razi would be an adventure.
Situated in the north of Myitkyina, the capital city of
Kachin state, can reach only by air route. The city
surrounded with snow peaked mountains and the weather is
cold around the year. Flora and Fauna can be seen in the
forest around Putao. There are also many different ethnic
minority tribes in Kachin state. It is the nearest town to
the base camp for Climbing Mt. Khakhaborazi (5889 metres),
which is the highest mountain in Myanmar and in Southeast
Asia. Putao is the starting point for Myanmar's most
adventurous trekking adventures.
Hsipaw is an ancient Shan town, the local capital of a Shan
principality of the same name which according to its
legendary history goes back to year 58 B.C. It is said to
have been founded by Sao Hkun Hkam Saw, the fourth son of
the Sawbwa (Saohpa) of Mong Mao named Sao Hkun Lai. The old
wooden traditional Haw, Palace of the Sawbwa was destroyed
by bombing during the last World War, but we were able to
visit the interesting modern Sawbwa s residence built during
colonial times by Sawbwa Sao Ohn Kya who ruled Hsipaw from
1928 to 1938.
It is the fascinating journey with twisting and turning
hilly trek by train from Mandalay through Pyin Oo Lwin. On
the way you have to cross over the famous Gote Hteik viaduct
and enjoy the most spectaculars scenic views of the Shan
plateau traveling one way by winding road with elbow
crossing hilly drive. You will find the local peoples and
landscape beyond your imagination. And you can do trekking
to the hill tribe, Palaung and on the way you can see tea
plantation, orange plantation and ways of life.
Lashio was famous in World War II as the starting point of
the Burma Road. Capital of the northern Shan State, major
settlement is Shan and Chinese being bordering with Yunan
province of China. The famous Burma Road built by the
British before the War, interests with Ledo Road leading
into the Yunnan province. It is a trade center and the
terminus of the railroad line from Mandalay. The highlight
about this trip is to enjoy the most spectaculars scenic
views of the Shan plateau traveling one way by winding road
with elbow crossing hilly drive and the other way by train
with twisting and turning hilly trek. Crossing over historic
Gokehtaik bridge, its a fascinating journey to Lashio.
Muse, a small town on the banks of the Shweli River, is the
main border gateway between Myanmar and Yunnan Province
(China). Muse is 112 miles (179 km) north of Lashio, it is a
bustling trading center.
Situated in the eastern Shan State and 452 km from Taunggyi
and 176km from Tachileik. Kyaing Tong is known for its
scenic beauty and many colorful ethnic tribes. Places of
interest around Kyaingtong are, the Spa, Naung Tong Lake,
Sunn Taung Monastery, Central market and Traditional Lacquer
ware works and weaving factory. There are many villages of
various ethnic tribes resided around Kyaing Tong. The tribes
known as Gon, Lwe, Li, Wa, Lah Hu, Thai Nay, Shan, Li Shaw,
Li Su, Palaung, Akha, and we can only differentiate the
tribes by colourful dresses which is different to one
another. You can observe their tribal dances and their way
of living on these mountainous regions around Kyaing Tong.
Located on the Myanmar - Thai border in the eastern Shan
State, is being upgraded as a gateway to the heart of the
Golden Triangle. The Friendship Bridge across the small Mae
Sai stream links Tachileik with the northern Thai border
town of Mae Sai. The area is currently being developed for
tourism and cross-border trade with Laos, Thailand and
China. One can fly direct from Yangon to Tachileik in an
hour. There is a ferry-landing site at Wanpon port on the
Mekong River at the Myanmar - Laos border, 29 km from
Tachileik. The port also handles goods shipments to and from
Thailand and China. Wok is under way to develop to town as a
exchange center for trading goods. A short flight to
Tachileik will be the beginning of a tour of the infamous
Golden Triangle. Tachileik sits on the banks of the Mekong
River across from Mai Sai in Thailand. It is a cross border
town. A one-and-half hour away from Tachileik we arrive at
Mai Pong, where we can enjoy a boat tour of Mekong River.
Located 175 miles from Yangon and is the only place for the
tourists where you can get good accommodation on
Yangon-Mandalay road. Taungoo (Kaytumadi City) was founded
by King Mingyinyo in 1510 A.D and later innovated by King
Minye Kyawhtin. It is one of the main gateways to Bago Yoma
and its teak forests and is worth exploring. It derives much
of its importance these days from the timber trade and the
teak forests on which its economy depends visibly seen on
the mountain ranges lying to the east and west of the town
Known as the Rice Pot of Myanmar, Pathein is situated on the
eastern bank of Pathein River (Ngawun River). It is about
120km distance from Yangon and the junction to the beautiful
beaches, Chaung Tha and Ngwe Hasung. The town is noted for
its colorful hand- painted umbrellas.
Mrauk U is the capital of the Rakhine State and is also
becoming a tourist attraction. Mrauk U was founded in 1430
AD and flourished till 1785 as recorded in its history.
Known as the Golden City by foreign travelers of the era it
was a focus of trade due to its strategic location on the
coastal region of bay of Bengal. It is 80 km N of Sittwe on
the river bank of Kispanadi (Kalandan) River it takes about
2½ hrs boat trip from Sittwe to Mrauk U.
Sittwe is the capital of Rakhine State. It is stituated at
south West of Myanmar at Rakhine Coast. It has a long
coasting bordering on the Bay of Bengal. It is a town
originally built by the British in 1826. There is a view
point to be enjoyed along the coast. Culture and traditional
heritage and colourful Rakhine races are filled in Sittwe.
The town’s popular sites are Payagyi Pagoda, the Buddhist
Museum, and Payamya Monastery. It is also the gate way to
Mauk U, an ancient city of Rakhine Kings.
Kawthaung, the southern most town in Myanmar (800 km from
Yangon and 2,000 km from the country's most northern tip),
formerly known as Victoria Point, is one of the entry ports
into Myanmar and is only separated from Thailand by a broad
estuary in the Pakchan River. Across the river is the border
town of Ranong, Thailand.
The home place of The "Salone "of Myanmar, who called
themselves, "Moken ", are forgotten people who fight for
their survival. They adopt their way of life as marine
nomads. They are expert in swimming, diving and submerging
in the sea ---- and hence the names “Sea - gypsy " or "Men
of the Sea" . Southern part of Myeik Archipelago has more
than 800 small islands. In the ancient times, on the Malay
Peninsula until the Malay incursion when they left their
native places and lived scattered throughout the Myeik
Archipelago. Nowadays, the Salone can only be found on the
coastal islands around Kawthoung, formerly Victoria Point
--- the southernmost town of Myanmar.