Lashio
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. 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 viaduct will be an unforgettable
experience. There is a hot spa near Lashio which is always crowded
with local pilgrimages to enjoy the nature warmed both of they
believe bathing here will purify body and mind.
Hsipaw
(Thipaw)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
Myanmar (Burma) people pronounce the name as Thibaw and the last
king of Myanmar, King Thibaw (1875-85 AD) got his name from this
town. 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 an architecturally interesting two storey building which
looks like an English mansion with bay windows and wide covered
verandas, the upper one supported by five attractive pillars, where
the family could sit out and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the
distant hills and the nearby winding Namtu River known as the
Myitnge or Dokhtawaddy in its lower reaches before it joins the main
Ayeyawady at Innwa (Ava).
Hispaw
has a large local market in the center of the town, with cinemas,
small guest houses and restaurants near the bus stands. The Haw is
at the northern end of the town and the main pagoda, the Maha
Myatmuni Phaya is right at the southern end. The roads are parallel
to the Namtu or Dokhtawaddy River with its clear, cool waters
against a backdrop of hill and mountains. Muse
A small town on the banks of the Shweli River, is the main border gateway between Myanmar and Yunnan Province (China). Located 190 km from Lashio, it is a bustling trading center. Namkham and Kyukoke are nearby border towns.
