City: Shan State
Top Things to do in Shan State
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Top 10 Things to do in Shan State, Myanmar
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. Inle Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By James W - Draper, Utah
A beautiful lake with, unfortunately, some serious ecological problems. The lake is a source of food and water, provides major income from tourists and a method of transportation between villages. Large floating masses of vegetation are threatening to take over the lake if not controlled and you’ll see them all over the lake as you cruise through. Despite these problems, it’s great fun to hire a boat and cruise through various villages rimming the lake and see the “leg-rowing” fishermen at work. Most boats are equipped with umbrellas and blankets, but be sure to wear a hat and take water. Many of the boat drivers don’t speak English, so either hire a guide to go with the boat or make sure the boat driver understands what you want to do.
2. Indein Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 771 reviews
Reviewed By Joshua M
For me, the highlight of the trip was the boat ride to In Dien Village. It was an adventure in itself. It is rather loud but, interestingly, it can be relaxing.
At the village you may find some villagers rinsing off in the river and throwing in a line for fishing.
If you are not into the market and would prefer less people at the stupas, I suggest a lazy morning and getting a boat around 11am. There was no one at the stupas when we arrived and the sellers at the market were taking an afternoon nap. I can only imagine how crazy the morning must of been to require a nap!
3. Pindaya Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By TheWholeTruthHK - Hong Kong, China
Interesting drive through countryside and nice town with small lake, more a Reservoir really with beautiful colours.
The cave is really interesting also. You get a comfortable elevator and then get to navigate narrowly and glimpse the nearly 8,000 Buddhas in OK light and photos are possible with manual high ISO settings and if you are lucky enough to get to shoot between a group of Italians and a group of French tourists. This is not a joke, they just pop up I'm front of your camera the instant you get your composition and exposure settings right.
4. Gokteik Viaduct
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By sleepybexhill - Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom
We booked through 12GoAsia - it made ridiculously cheap tickets quite expensive, but they were waiting at our hotel when we arrived and our seats had been allocated, so we were happy. We left Mandalay at 04.00 and had a very long bumpy ride on a very old train. The seats were well sprung - you could even recline them - and the legroom really good. The high spot was the viaduct. It’s good that they stop the train before crossing so you can take the obligatory selfie! Great experience, plus you get to see a number of isolated communities and some lovely countryside. We got off at Hsipaw and went back to Mandalay on the bus the next day - much quicker than the train, but equally harrowing driving through the gorge.
5. Hill Tribe Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By yakyetiyak19 - Beijing, China
I thoroughly relished the chance to hike up to some of Kengtung's nearby hills and visit the hill tribe people. The villages you can reach on a day trip and back are all undergoing the same rapid change that's taking rest of the country by storm, albeit at varying speeds. More and more young people are decidedly choosing modern clothe over traditional costume, electricity is a constant need to not only fuel lights but the added necessity for communication via mobile phones, and tribal elderlies have developed a certain aptitude from familiarity to receiving foreign guests. All of which I'm absolutely fine with. Just like us, the tribal people around Kengtung are also having to face changes brought on by modernized living. For what it's worth, I do think the quality of your guide can play an important role in your visit. Language and knowledge is of utmost importance, but geniality and knowing understanding the needs of their clients is just as important. Out of the 5 nearby trekking routes, I wouldn't say any of them are particularly difficult treks if you hike often. Walking time range from 1 to 4-5 hours at most, depending on the route. Hills aren't too steep and there are clear paths. I did not go on the Loi Longhouse trek so that could potentially be more difficult.
One thing I do want to mention is a series of very strange exchanges that took place between myself and a reputable guide from the region. I had written ahead of time to inquire about price and route, but never confirmed my trip with him or to hire him. He followed up and I failed to reply for a week due to lack of Internet. Then a few more days later, he wrote me on his own initiative in a semi-threatening tone, all because I didn't end up hiring him for my trek. It's just plain creepy to say the least. I've posted our exchanges here so you can all judge for yourself.
All in all, I really enjoyed my time in Kengtung - the heart of Golden Triangle. Do try the assortment of Shan noodle, you won't find them better anywhere else than here.
6. Kakku Pagodas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By JD D - Prague, Czech Republic
Took taxi from Inle lake to Kakku pagoda and asked to visit also a Pa O village. Taxi order from hotel for 50k, one local agency on the main street offered also 45k but was not available on the date we needed. After about 45 minutes of driving we got to Thayunggyi where we paid the tickets and hired a Pa O local guide. If you do not want the guide you can buy the tickets directly in front of the pagoda but I can say that having our guide with us was very interesting and we learned a lot of new things. Guide fee is 5usd and some tip if you are happy with them. Our guide was called Mimì, she was fluent English and was very kind and fun. After another 90 min we arrived to the pagoda, she took us around and one of the very interesting part was the death buddha which is not found anywhere else in Asia. I feel sorry for the bad way of reconstruction as they totally destroy the historical value of the fourth day statue. After the visit of pagodas we had lunch at the restaurant in front. It's a tourist place but has clean toilets. After that we visited PaO village and Mimi explained everything about the living and housing etc. Highly recommended trip!
7. Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By EACAustralia - Sydney, Australia
I have travelled extensively and have a particular interest in Asian Temples. I rate this the most unique and equisite I have ever visited, it is joyful to move around in, I did several slow laps.
I travelled there by tuk tuk (motorbike with side chair) about 2 kilometres north of Nyaung Shwe.The mailn monastery is a large, imposing and signifcantly beautiful teak building That I had noticed previously when arriving in the area by car. When you visit you wonder where the temple is as there are no visible sign and certainly no hoards of tourists to signal the spot. I was directed to a small plain, white, barely noticable structure to the very corner of the site. It is only only enterring that you are surrounded by colour, pattern and textures.
8. Kengtung Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By hueyli2002 - Singapore, Singapore
There's all kinds of stuff here from food to household products to clothing to medication to money changer...It seems to be the central place where everyone gather to purchase things. One can also notice villagers in hill tribe costumes doing their marketing here. It's a good place to soak in the busy atmosphere of the local life.
9. Tachileik Shwedagon Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 507kennetht
If you have not to Myanma yet, This is a very life like miniature, replica to the real one in Yangon, Very much worth a visit. Once you arrived, there will be some young lady holding a umbrella to block the sun for you, and be your tour guide, The service is free and will not take a tip from you, they only want you to look at some souvenirs sold by their family member, buying is strictly voluntary, If you did not see anything you want, a smile and a thank you is good enough, but........
10. Mr. Bike Hsipaw Trekking
Overall Ratings
5 based on 92 reviews
Hsipaw Jungle Trekking is a small local community business set up and run solely by Mr. Bike, a local guide who speaks fluent English and two local dialects. We aim to provide local and international travelers with a genuine experience into the nature of northern Shan hills and life of the local ethnic people in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
Reviewed By Jon O - London, United Kingdom
Did the 2days 1 night treehouse trek Really enjoyed it our guides ton ton and soel oo we're friendly helpful and spoke good English. The views from the treehouse were excellent and the food also tasty and plentiful we also enjoyed sitting around at night playing cards and drinking "happy water" (rice wine) with the guides and the others in our group. better then the hiking I had done from kalaw so if your trying to choose between the two I'd suggest coming to hsipaw!! Even had 3 dogs that join the trek including a cute little puppy!!
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