Shan state located at North East of the country can make the best highlight of any cultural and natural exploration to Myanmar due to its hidden natural beauty with unique Shan ethnic lifestyle.
Stupas at Kakku
The stupas at Kakku were built upon an area designed to look like the Buddha’s footprint. The stupas at Kakku were built upon an area designed to look like the Buddha’s footprint. Thought to have been originally constructed in the 16th Century, the origin of the stupa fields is currently unknown. The Stupas of Kakku are a short drive from Taunggyi, capital of the mountainous Shan State, and are best visited in March, when an annual festival takes place.
Curious Fish, Fascinating People Home at Inle Lake.
Inle Lake certainly holds the distinction of being the highest lake in Myanmar and home to some unusual fish. At an altitude of just over 800 meters, the lake is one of the most unique ecosystems in Myanmar (Burma), playing home to mollusc and fish species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Hidden Gems: Lashio
Lashio lies near the Chinese border with Myanmar and is a surprisingly large city for its remote location. It is the capital of the Shan Province and a hive of activity. The city itself is the beginning of the once infamous “Burma Road.” It was built to serve the Allied forces in Burma and extends all the way to central China and the city of Kunming. The major attraction in Lashio is a Buddhist Temple. The Mansu temple is about 5 kilometers out of town and easy to reach by bicycle or taxi. It blends in perfectly with the landscape and, as with much of Lashio, the Chinese influences are clear in the design work.
Hidden Gems: Kyaing Tong
Kyaing Tong (or variously Kengtung, Chiang Tung, Kengtong, or Cheingtung depending on the local dialect being spoken) is a small town in Shan State. It’s worth noting that Kyaing Tong was until fairly recently in the center of the “Golden Triangle”. The area has only recently been opened to tourists. So when you decide to visit, you’ll be among the first foreigners for many years to set foot in this friendly, rural community.
Astonishing 8,000 statuses in Pindaya Caves
The Pindaya Caves are set in the hills of Shan State near Pindaya, a small city with a spidery legend. The best places to visit here is one of the three major caverns at Pindaya, only the southernmost cave is currently open to the public. It extends back into the hillside for about 500 feet or so. What makes it special is not the cave itself but the 8,000 or so images of Buddha enshrined there. They were placed in the cave during the late 18th and early 19th centuries in the main. This reflects a very different Buddhist branch to main stream of Myanmar.
Hidden Gems: Kalaw
Kalaw is a hill town located on the rolling hills of the Shan Plateau. It is a former colonial British hill station and there are some interesting colonial remains to see. Primarily, however, Kalaw is fast developing a reputation for its hiking potential in the charming and scenic mountains. The weather is cool and the landscape is a beautiful combination of pine forests and bamboo groves. Notably it is located to the west of stunning Inle Lake and many travelers are now hiking between the two.
