Kachin State

Myitkyina

Myitkyina is the capital and centrally located in the Kachin State. Myitkyina is the capital of Kachin State in the far north of the country located 1480 km from Yangon or 780 km from Mandalay. In Burmese it means ‘near the big river’ and Myitkyina is on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady River. The panoramic view of the scenario at Myit Sone (the confluence of two headstreams Maikha and Malikha) with the unspoiled beauty of nature is beyond the expression of words and will definitely be a fine attraction to tourists. Ayeyarwady, the most useful in Myanmar has its source from this confluence and flows 2132 km to the mouth of the river. The water here is crystal clean. The main attraction of Myitkyina is its cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity, and its hosts two of Myanmar’s most important ethnic festivals. The population of the town is around 150,000 and includes and ethnic mix of Kachin, Shan, Bamar people and some Chinese and Indians. Overland trade route to India and China, and the Second World War supply line to China along the Ledo Road pass through Myitkyina. Myitkyina is known for its colourful Kachin New Year festival in January called Manao festival, where all kachin come together in their full colourful costumes to celebrate the grand occasion with traditional dances, singing, and drinking of traditional rice wines.

Putao

Situated in the north of Myitkyina, the capital city of Kachin State, can reach only by air route. Putao itself is small and picturesque with a population of about 10,000 people are Kachin & Lisu, followed by Bamar, Shan and virous other smaller tribes’ groups. The elevation is 402m above sea level. During the late British colonial era, a military post called Fort Hertz was based in Putao. Putao is the nearest town to the base camp for Climbing Mt. Khakhaborazi (5889 metres), which is the highest mountain in Myanmar and in Southeast Asia. Putao is access point for trekking expeditions and climbing trips to the highest mountains in South East Asia.

Bhamo (Bhamaw)

Bhamo is small city located at the Ayeyarwady River in Kachin State. It is located 186 km (116 mile) south from Myitkyina, the capital of the sate of Kachin. It likes within 65 km (40 mile) of the border with Yunnan Province, China. The population is a mix of Chinese and Shan, with Kachin peoples in the hills around the town. Bhamo was once called Sampanago and was the capital of a now-extinct Shan Kingdom of Manmaw. The ruins of the old city walls still exist, some 5km from the modern town.

Indawgyi Lake

Another interesting place to visit in Kachin State is Inndawgyi Lake in MohNyin Township. It is the biggest inland lake in Myanmar and also has the Inndawgyi Wildlife Sanctuary. The lake is 8 miles east to west, and 15 miles north to south. There are over 20 villages around the lake. The predominant ethnic groups living in the surroundings of the lake are the Shan and the Kachin, who mainly practise agriculture. Indawgyi lake is within the confines of Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 1999 by the Ministry of Ecotourism. The sanctuary, which is 300 square miles, contains a variety of animal species, including rare mammals and birds.