Things to do in Shan State, Myanmar: The Best Sights & Landmarks

April 7, 2022 Esmeralda Fenner

Shan State (Burmese: ရှမ်းပြည်နယ်, pronounced [ʃáɴ pjìnɛ̀]; Shan: မိူင်းတႆး [mə́ŋ.táj]) is a state of Myanmar. Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south, and five administrative divisions of Burma in the west. Largest of the 14 administrative divisions by land area, Shan State covers 155,800 km², almost a quarter of the total area of Burma. The state gets its name from the Shan people, one of several ethnic groups that inhabit the area. Shan State is largely rural, with only three cities of significant size: Lashio, Kengtung, and the capital, Taunggyi. Taunggyi is 150.7 km north east of the nation's capital Naypyitaw.
Restaurants in Shan State

1. Indein Village

Inthein, Taunggyi Myanmar http://www.myanmartravellingart.com
Excellent
63%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 910 reviews

Indein Village

Reviewed By 982suel - County Carlow, Ireland

This area reminded me very much of Angkor Wat in Cambodia the way trees had become an integrated part of the temple structures. Certainly this is on a much smaller scale regarding the vegetation encroachment but there are literally hundreds of ancient temples from 17th & 18th century in various states of disrepair but still showing marvellous ornate carvings, animals & Buddhas hidden inside. Truly a sight to wander at leisure & all so close to each other. By boat one first arrives at a small village where women & children try to entice you into buying their beautiful colourful scarves. According to our guide their quality is lacking however they were incredibly cheap & if none other than to aid their economy, a purchase is not beyond anyone's means.

2. Kengtung Market

Kengtung Myanmar
Excellent
60%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 92 reviews

Kengtung Market

3. Kakku Pagodas

Está en Taunggyi, no en Kyaing Tong, Taunggyi Myanmar 95812123136
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 328 reviews

Kakku Pagodas

Reviewed By 441ardyt - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Kakku Pagodas, is a must see when you are in Inle Lake area, or Taungyi. Its a good 1 hour drive from Taungyi and a 2 hour drive from Nyaung Shwe. It's a fabulous destination. More than 2000 pagodas of which not one seems the same have been built over a vast area. Their condition is good and a lot of them a a metal sphere on top with little bells. So if you walk up into the area it gives a very spirtual atmosphere while the wind is moving the little bells in lovely angelic sounds. Photographers will find this a heavenly site. I must say I did not immerse myself enough in the spirituality of the place as I was too focussed on making great photos. As we went just recently i would like to share with you that the place is open; you are asked to wear a mask; and there is no need to bring a guide. So the rule that it was mandatory to take a guide from Taungyi is not longer. You can just take a car/taxi and go as you please. We stopped in Taungyi and went to the market and met a lot of the lovely dressed Pa O women which was a feast for our eyes. We stayed at Inle lake, Nyaung Shwe at Thanaka hotel, which is a lovely place, which I can recommend for all kinds of travelers. It;s a very child friendly hotel as well. We experienced some rainfall, but definitely not all the time. Overall very enjoyable to spend some days at the lake.

4. Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung

1 km north of Nyaungshwe, Nyaungshwe Myanmar http://www.inlelake-myanmar.com/interesting-places/66-shwe-yan-pyay-monastery.html
Excellent
44%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 620 reviews

Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung

Reviewed By BholaBanstola

Small but well-taken care of, this is a beautiful wood make monastery. The nearby Paya with different sizes of statues, glass works and volunteer-contributed restauration is worth a visit.

5. Shwe Oo Min Pagoda

Oo Min Road, Kalaw Myanmar +95 9 787 825569
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 222 reviews

Shwe Oo Min Pagoda

Reviewed By WorldDiveD - North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Only one and a half hour away from Kalaw (driving a motorcycle) this cave is a great place and the perfect thing to do before starting the trekking to Inle lake. More than 8000 budha status inside gives this cave a really unique atmosphere. it is not crowded with tourists (at least when we were there). on the other hand you will get to see a lot of local people coming here on a pilgrimage. Important to note : like any other Buddhist place you must respect a certain dress code: no shoes or socks, no short pants (up knee level) and for the ladies no spaghettis strap, naked shoulders etc... I highly recommend to visit this place.

6. Gokteik Viaduct

Nawnghkio Myanmar http://www.goodlifemyanmar.net
Excellent
64%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 108 reviews

Gokteik Viaduct

Reviewed By cintansh

I was initially skeptical when our guide told us that the train ride from Pyin Oo Win to the Viaduct is 3+hours but we glad we made the trip upon his encouragement. Took the best seats which tourists usually go for. Expect a jerky ride but with wonderful views along the way. There are also locals selling food & drinks in the train. Lavatory situation is basically a hole that goes directly to the tracks if you know what I mean. The Gokteik Viaduct was the tallest trestle in the world when built by the English in 1900, an architectural feat at that time. An experience worth going for.

7. Floating Gardens

Nanpan, Inle Lake, Taunggyi Myanmar
Excellent
46%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 664 reviews

Floating Gardens

Reviewed By 143nicolasw

Well worth the trip when on inle. Head up early and miss all of the tourists. The gardens are amazing and the farmers all friendly. The work is back breaking and long. Our guide and boat driver were both fantastic. Speak great English and we're knowledgeable and funny. The guide Eliyas works also guiding from kalaw to inle trekking. Wonderful human being. He sees the world in which he loves with awe. He has some fantastic historical knowledge and also some very funny stories. The man is a pleasure to be around. So much so that we employed his services for four days as we wanted to enjoy his company longer. He can sort out the boat and will Taylor make an itinerary for you. Even missing the most part of the tourist crowd and eating lunch in a local traditional house with a family. This is what made all the difference to our trip. Otherwise the area is very much centred around tourism and touches like lunch made and eaten with locals make the difference. His number is below and can be contacted by WhatsApp Eliyas +959443735997

8. Wat Yai Dao Ao

Northern Road, Lashio Myanmar
Excellent
67%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Wat Yai Dao Ao

9. Main Ma Ye' Tha-Khin-Ma Mountain

Taunggyi Myanmar
Excellent
60%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Main Ma Ye' Tha-Khin-Ma Mountain

Reviewed By rooddo - Mandalay, Myanmar

Traveling from Pindaya on a bike trip we passed this mountain. Very very impressed and worth stopping at. When traveling in Myanmar it is sometimes easy to get tired of looking at religious sites. This one is worth it.

10. Sagar Village

Taunggyi Myanmar http://inlelake-myanmar.com/interesting-places/64-sagar-village.html
Excellent
57%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Sagar Village

Reviewed By SandraGinkgo - London, United Kingdom

The trip by boat takes 2 hours from the south of Inle lake: if you have time, take this trip to discover amazing landscape, cultured land,villages, waterways, and stop on the way to the friendly potter Shwe Yaung Myae in Noung Po. You can walk around, discover the pottery, the kiln and the villagers way of life, without disturbing them. Sagar village itself is very low key,with atmospheric stuppas, some being built new. The houses,well looked after gardens, schools, are all worth discovering. A rustic type of tourism, our recommendation, this is the real Myanmar,with friendly people.

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