Kyaing Tong is a town in eastern Shan State, Myanmar and it is also the principle town of Keng Tung Township. The weather in this area is particular cooler than compare to the tropical area of Myanmar which is a suitable place for those visitors who would like to enjoy plenty memorable sceneries in the chilling weather. Kyaing Tong is geographically located in an easily accessible location to the golden triangle area.
Kyaing Tong is known for its scenic beauty and many colorful ethnic tribes. There are many villages of various ethnic tribes resided around Kyaing Tong. The tribes known as Gon, Lwe, Li, Wa, Lah Hu, Thai Nay, Shan, Li Shaw, Li Su, Palaung, Akha, and we can only differentiate the tribes by colourful dresses which is different to one another.
About 40 km, 1.5 hours drive to the south of Kyaing Tong is a very scenic town of Loi Mwe situated at an altitude of 1600m. This hill station used to be the headquarters of the British District Commissioner at the time of British occupation. This scenic town features a number of old colonial buildings and a century-old Catholic church. The main attraction is the scenery on the ascent to Loimwe, passing through forests, terraced rice fields and a picturesque lake.
Mong La
About three hours north of Kengtung lies the bustling town of Mongla bordered with China’s Daluo port in Xishuangbanana, Yunan Province. A day return trip from Kyaing Tong is possible and local mountain tribes can be visited along the way. The interesting places in this border town are opium Museum and the Shwe Madaw Pagoda. Optional visit to one of the casinos is possible on the way back to Kyaing Tong.
Places of Interest in Kyaing Tong
Kyaing Tong, is still untouched by mass tourism is well known for its scenic beauty and colorful tribes, incredibly outstanding and appealing. This sprawling city in the Eastern Shan Province is the homeland of the ethnic minorities, exceptionally attractive with their unique style of living and ancient customs and traditions surprisingly preserved. The place is one of the most scenic spots offering the splendid opportunities of hiking in the natural environment, studying a vast array of ethnic cultures. With its breath-taking views of the hills and interesting treks to the minority villages, daily marketplace where tribes in their colorful consumes congregate are the main attractions. Its stunning landscape and ethnic minority cultures have made Kyaing Tong a paradise for anthropologists, photographers and adventurous travelers.
Central Market “Myo Ma Zay”
Myo Ma Zay, the main market of Kyaing Tong, is a marvelous place to see the hill tribes gathering to trade fresh produce and household goods and to take in the really spiritual atmosphere. You will see vendors all the way through the main aisle, selling fruits, tea, foodstuff imported from Thailand, spices and herbs, prayer flags, ethnic textile, head dresses of Akha people, beautiful outfits of Lahu people, babmboo baskets, various kinds of rice including mountain rice in red color and etc. The entrance of the market is packed with motor bikes from early in the morning.The Market is located in downtown Kyaing Tong, which is the ancient capital of eastern Shan State.
Naung Tone Lake
So pleasantly located at the centre of the town is Lake Naung Tone. This picturesque lake is the perfect place to wonder along its little walkways and to soak up the atmosphere of the sleeping town, dotted with examples of colonial architecture and numerous tea shops, where the locals end their working day. The lake is so refreshing especially in the evenings and delicious Shan food and tea are available at a few street vendors around this area even at night time. This marvelous place delights a mid-night craving for some moonshine and local food.
So pleasantly located at the centre of the town is Lake Naung Tone. This picturesque lake is the perfect place to wonder along its little walkways and to soak up the atmosphere of the sleeping town, dotted with examples of colonial architecture and numerous tea shops, where the locals end their working day. The lake is so refreshing especially in the evenings and delicious Shan food and tea are available at a few street vendors around this area even at night time. This marvelous place delights a mid-night craving for some moonshine and local food.
Buffalo Market
About 20 mins drive in the western outskirt of Kyaing Tong is water buffalo market where water buffalo and several cattle are traded twice a week. This funny market is an interesting place to wander and watch the negotiations.
Maha Muni Pagoda
In the centre of the town is the Maha Muni Pagoda, specially revered by the town folks. There are culturally rich monasteries and pagodas in the remote valleys of the Shan mountains and in Kyaing Tong that are well worth a visit.
Yat Taw Mu Buddha Image
The 20 meter tall Yat Taw Mu Pagoda or the Standing Buddha, is located at Son-sah as Jom-rak hill in the town. The Buddha image with a hand in pointing position means that the Lord Buddha is making a prophecy
Ethnic races and villages
The surrounding villages located within a day trek from Kyaing Tong are inhabited by the Loi, Akha, Lahu, Akhu, Palaung and Eng tribes. The villages are very much still in their traditional ways of living.
Akha people have written language so their history was carried to this century on the backs of many rich legends, proverbs and rituals handed down from one generation to the other. They are able to at least recite the male line of their family back to the “beginning.
Enn ethnic group inhabits higher slopes and is distinctive for their black-dyed teeth and traditional costumes.
Lahu women are skilled in weaving cloth, both on back-strap and foot-treadle looms, producing delicate patchwork trims, and unusual embroidery work. The Black Lahu women wear the most distinctive costumes within this tribe. They wear a black cloak with diagonal cream stripes. The top of the sleeve is decorated in bold colours of red and yellow. Lahu men produce excellent crossbows, musical instruments, and other items made of wood, bamboo and rattan.
Wan Nyut and Wan Seng villages
Wan Nut is a village of the Loi tribe who prefers living in a huge long houses, including at least 5 families. On the way to Wan Nyut, there is an old monastery, a very beautiful one and very different form the other monastery. One hour from Wan Nyut is Wan Seng, another village of the same tribe. Scenery along the trails is so appealing and hiking is not difficult, suit to all levels of fitness.
Trekking In Kyaing Tong
Kyaing Tong has plenty of hiking, mountain climbing trips in a trekking pilgrimage to nearby mountains to visit the villages of different Shan ethnic tribes, enjoy the breath-taking sceneries along the way while admiring the pagodas along the way.
How to get to Kyaing Tong
Plane
There are direct flights from Yangon, Mandalay and Heho.
Car
Kyaing Tong is about 456km from Taunggyi, the capital city of Shan State. It is only 170km away from Tachileik and it takes 3 hours by 4WD or Vans.