Taunggyi

Capital of the Southern Shan State lies 1,430 meters above the sea level and has a moderate climate. Taunggyi maintain ethnological museum where cultural objects, musical instruments, traditional dresses, household and farm implements, paintings, sculptures, arts and crafts of the different national races residing in Shan State in display. The most significant festival is the annual Tazaungdine Lighting Festival (Oct / Nov). Lu Ping festival commonly known as hot balloon festival celebrates by Pa O, one of the many ethnic groups in the region. On the occasion people enjoy fun and merriment by holding firework-launching competitions. 

The firework is in the form of rockets. There is also hot balloons competitions on the day and night occasions. Day balloons are usually in the form of Pagodas, and animals such as elephant, dragon or ducks while the night balloons usually in the shape of rugby ball, huge elongated paper balls with small lighted multicolored paper lanterns hung around their sides and balloons would sting along fireworks and fire sticks which are set off mid-air fireworks.

Kakku pagoda complex
Kakku a hidden treasure an unusual, magnificent collection of Buddhist Stupas unheard of by historians and unlisted in guide books lies in the deepest Pa-oh territory, 26 miles south of Taunggyi the capital of Shan State. There lies more than 2000 stupas in a site closely packed together in ranks covering an area of approximately a square kilometer apparently unknown to outside world. Kakku area is covered and scattered by Pa-oh villages especially stretching along on both sides of the main road from north to south. 

The land route for tour groups starting from Taunggyi is possible and accessible for all year round. But tours originated from Inle Lake are considered to be possible only in the open season from late October to early May or before heavy rain falls. The yearly religious festival normally takes about one week. The climax of this festival usually falls on fullmoon of the Tabaung (Mid-March) every year. The Kakku pagodas festival also draws thousands of visitors from all parts of the Shan State. The weather around Kakku tends to be cold and dump in rainy season with the temperature ranging from 10-20 (Celsius). And normally dry in the summer month with temperature ranging from 20-35 (Celsius) and the average rainfall is 200-400 cm in the region. Normally muddy in the rainy season and more or less dusty in the summer months. Mainly due to widely use of bullocks carts within the villages as a means of transport and also to generate and regulate the flows of goods and services within the areas.

Mongshu 
After Mogok, has become famous as the new ruby-land of Myanmar. Mongshu stone tract at Lihsaunghtauk hills has attracted a large number of national and foreign gem lovers. Te main market is in Taunggyi and Tachilek. Even the famous Mogok is surprised to hear the news of its rival. Some jewelers like to call the Mongshu ruby as 'red diamond'. For Myanmar ruby is the king but other gems must stand beside like queens, knights, bishops and castles. Mongshu stands a day and a half ride away by car to the northeast of Taunggyi.