Travel of Myanmar >> Itineraries
Extension 2: Kyaing Tong
3 days / 2 nights
Tucked away in a corner section of the country, in north western Shan State, is the placid and historic Kyaing Tong. Kyaing Tong was built around a small lake, dotted with Buddhist temples and long-lived ruinous British colonial architecture and is probably the most attractive town in Shan. The town was opened to tourism in 1993, offering one of the most remote inhabited mountainous valleys of Myanmar. Access is difficult, and is limited to flights from Mandalay. Besides visiting temples and monasteries in the area we may enjoy the water buffalo market which is celebrated on the outskirts of the city. The market is open every day and is like a used car shop, with sellers who preach the virtues of their animals while buyers note defects. When the price is agreed, there is an exchange of money and the new owners take the buffaloes by the snout. Additionally the area around the city has interesting mountain landscapes, ideal for trekking followed by interesting ethnic minorities like Akha or Mon.
First day
Mandalay/ Kyaing Tong. There is a private transfer to the airport for flight to Kyaing Tong (with a 15 minute technical scale in Tachileik) followed by a transfer to the Kyaing Tong New Hotel. During our first day there is an excursion to the paddy fields nearby before reaching the town of Palaung, an ethnic minority in the area.
Second day
After breakfast we will enjoy the day visiting Thaugh Pin Village where we may visit the Akha minority, or two-and-a-half hours of trekking surrounding the mountains of the city throughout the morning. After a picnic lunch we will visit a typical rice liquor craft centre before returning to the city.
Third day
Kyaing Tong/Heho/Inle Lake
After breakfast we will visit the town of Kyaing Tong, including its funny Buffalo Market and Central Market. Lunch is followed by transfer to the airport and flight to Heho. Upon arrival transfer is by road to the town of Nyaung Shwe, which is on Lake Inle - from there you will take a motor boat to your hotel.
Important observations
-Electricity: it is very often that the area of Kyaing Tong is without electricity during major public seasons, so the only way to get electricity is through petrol generators, very common in Myanmar. The problems with electricity are quite usual throughout the country, although in tourist areas the lack of infrastructure is barely perceived because the hotels do not hesitate to use these generators during the whole day.
The case of Kyaing Tong is different than the rest of the country, because they have no tourism and the hotels can not afford keeping them on for 24 hours a day, so the generators work for only a few hours a day.
-Kyaing Tong New Hotel: the Hotel is very simple, equivalent to 2* and is situated near the lake.
-Normally the cars in the area do not have air conditioning, although the heat inside the car with opened windows is bearable because of the mountain breeze.
-Trekking is really spectacular and very beautiful, although it may be slightly hard as it is uphill. But trekking in Inle Lake passes in the shade in a completely forested area.
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