Shan State
Inle Lake
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Taunggyi
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Kalaw
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Cave adventure - Pindaya
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Holy land (Kekku)
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Kyaing Tong
Inle Lake is the most famous scenic spot
in Shan state. It is about 30 km south
of Taunggyi, the capital of Shan state.
The vast picturesque lake, 900 meters
above sea-level is one of the main
attractions of legendary land, Myanmar.
The lake is 22.4 km long and 10.2 km
wide has a population of some 150,000,
many of who live on floating islands of
vegetation. It is famous for its scenic
beauty and the unique Leg Rowing of the
Inthas, the native lake dwellers.
Situated over 1430 meters above sea
level. Taunggyi is ideal for
holidaymakers during summer. It is cool
the whole year round and the area is
colorful with lovely flowers, pine trees
and green orchard. Taunggyi is most well
known for its hot air balloon
competitions held in November every
year.
Kalaw
A gateway to trek through the Palaung,
PaO and Danu villages nearby. A rare
chance of studying traditional cultural
heritage, native way of living of hill
tribes’ people. Kalaw is 71 km west of
Taunggyi.
Cave adventure - Pindaya
When
a brave young prince knew that seven
beautiful sisters were trapped in the
big cave by a giant spider, he killed
the extraordinary insect and rescued the
girls. He married the youngest one. That
is the brief account of the long story
of the Pindaya Cave, now famous as
visitors’ paradise because of its
strange geological formations the locals
are using as evidences to prove that the
story is true.
Holy land (Kekku)
The
significance of Kekku Pagoda is that
both are located together with smaller
pagodas. But not all the pagodas were
built at the same time. The first
pagoda, may be the largest one, was
built by a regional administer (Sawbwa)
or a Myanmar king during his tour of the
country. When the Sawbwa renovated the
original pagoda, the natives took part
in the work and built smaller pagodas
around it. We can assume that the local
people built those cetis or smaller
pagodas to show their loyalty to their
leader and to make the whole compound
where all the pagodas are located a holy
land. Pagodas as in Indein at Inle
region and Kekku about 30 miles from
Taunnggyi stand witness to the
prosperity of the region and the
flourishing of Buddhism during the
ancient times.
The tradition of building pagodas in
groups is the significance of the
region. The locals built pagodas on open
ground and Buddha images in the caves.
Groups of pagodas captivate more
pilgrims.
456 km northeast of Taunggyi near the
China and Thailand border. It is an
colonial town and the center for the Wah,
Shan, Akha, Anh, Khun, Akhu, Palaung and
Lahu hill tribes. The hill tribes offer
a simplistic view of traditional village
life. Located in the cornor of the Shan
State in the Golden Triangle.
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