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KYAING TONG
 t
Kyaing
Tong is located in the
most eastern part of Myanmar, and its main activities largely depend on border trades
with China and Thailand. It is very interesting to
visit tribes and ethnic groups in remote villages,
such as Lahu, Akha, Lamone, Palaung, Gon, Lwe, Li, Wa, Li Shaw, Li Su and Shan.
We can distinguish
the tribes
by the various
colored clothes,
different from each
other.
This area is particularly recommended for travelers
loving trekking
and wishing to admire the natural beauty and different ethnic minorities in
an unspoiled land. In fact, no first class hotels can be found there.
Around
Kyaing Tong you can see: a Spa, the Naung Tong Lake, the Sunn Taung monastery, the central market with traditional
lacquer objects, and many
villages of
others ethnic
tribes living
near Kyaing Tong, where their
tribal dances and way of living can still be observed.
TACHILEIK
Tachileik is the
easternmost city in
the country and enjoys
the reputation of being the Burmese side of the “Golden Triangle”, a designation that
made its entry in the print media during the Vietnam War.
It lies on the banks of the Mekong River,
opposite the town of Mae Sai, Thailand.
Border trades occur at a fast pace between the two cities, with the offer of traditional Burmese goods such as hand-woven fabrics, golden
tapestries, lacquer, wood
carvings, jewelry
embedded with precious stones etc… All that is exposed to Talaw market, in the most popular neighborhood of bustling Tachileik.
It is also the home of many hill tribes such as Khun, Akha, Shan, Wa and
Lahus. The mixture of different ethnic cultures makes the cultural practices of this area much various.
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ITA
INLE LAKE Inle is one of the most
popular tourist destinations in Myanmar. Surrounded by the green mountains of Shan State at an elevation of
approximately 1,000 m.
above sea level, with a length of about 22 km. and a maximum width
of 11 km., the lake is
inhabited by the
Intha, “sons of
the lake”, known
for the curious leg rowing
style of the fishermen, standing on their boats.
 
In addition to the Intha, also Shan, Pa-O and other ethnic minorities
live inside hundreds of small villages.
Many Buddhist monasteries and thousands pagodas can be found in the area. People of Inle Lake depend on fishing and handicrafts (silk woven, cotton clothing, silver, boats, ceramics etc…). Especially unique is the cultivation of floating gardens.
SAGAR
 The village of Sagar is located in the deep south of Inle lake, about 3 hours by boat from Nyaungshwe. The area is protected and managed by the PNO (Pa-O National Organization). This village was probably a thriving city of a Sawbwa (Shan leader) and an unexplored place. The impressive ruins, the numerous temples and the welcoming Pa-O villagers will let you live a unique experience.
PINDAYA
 Pindaya is
a quiet little town mainly famous for its limestone caves, inside which more than 8,000
Buddha images have
been placed over the centuries. Some
of the older statues and images dating to the late 18th century.
The
collection as a whole forms a suggestive example of Buddhist iconography and
art, from early Konbaung era to the modern period.
No other place in Burma displays
such a range of styles, not only in the images, but also in the ornamental
thrones and reredos surrounding them. The road to Pindaya passes through Pa-O villages and a countryside that
shows sceneries of magnificent beauty.
Pindaya is
also known for the
manufacturing
of paper, from which the characteristic
umbrellas
of the monks are
derived.
KAKKU
Kakku is located 40 km. south of Taunggyi, at 1,300 m. above sea level.
It is the hidden
treasure of Shan state, a magnificent collection of Buddhist
stupas remained
hidden for
many years in the deepest Pa-O territory, because of difficulty of access: thousands
of buildings of
various shapes and
sizes, aligned
along a surface
of approximately 1
square km., surrounded
by beautiful landscapes
in an
apparently unknown place to the outside world. Many
people from
near and far
reach the
complex on hundreds of
bullock carts,
to participate in the
annual Festival
of the Pagodas
in mid-March.
Small winding roads leading to the complex,
allow close observation of vegetation and
crops in the region.
KALAW
 Located in
Shan State,
Kalaw is a popular hill station of Myanmar. It was a colonial town during the British rule
because of the cool climate. Nowadays, some churches are still in good
conditions and many British-style buildings can still be seen in Kalaw.
With an elevation of 1,320 metres, it is also a very peaceful and
quiet place, perfect for hiking among
pines, bamboo groves and rugged mountain landscapes.
The
plateau near Kalaw is inhabited by ethnic tribes such as Shan, Pa-O and Palaung.
They weave their own colorful clothes and make their living by farming and
selling their products to the Kalaw market.
TAUNGGY
 Taunggyi
is the capital of Shan State, the largest state of Myanmar. Therefore, it is an important commercial city. It lies at
an altitude
of 1,436 m. above sea level. The name Taunggyi means "huge
mountain" in the Burmese language. It has an estimated population of
345,000, composed of Shan, Bamar, Sikh and even some Muslims. The town
hosts an interesting market, attended daily by colorful ethnic
tribes. There is also another five-day market and a gemstone market
in the eastern side
where they can be
found jade,
rubies and sapphires.
Every year in November a famous Balloon festival is held in Taunggyi.
Villages compete to realize the best decorated and high flying balloon. The
paper balloons are decorated with cellophane lanterns, each containing candles
to form different designs. A flame heats the air in the
balloons which ascend carrying various types of lighting fireworks.
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