Northern Myanmar Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Map of Northern Myanmar

• 25.38666797.3936111 Myitkyina – The capital of the Kachin State.
• 21.88222295.9786112 Sagaing – The capital of the Sagaing Region.
• 24.2525697.233573 Bhamo
• 25.13333396.3333334 Indawgyi – A lake and nature reserve.
• 23.1994.0638895 Kalay – Township near Tamu (for India).
• 24.18222296.3305566 Katha
• 24.7697.5633337 Laiza – Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) headquarters, bordering China
• 24.72797.4998 Laja Yang — an important village on the way to the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina via Bhamo Hwy, about 20 km from Laiza.
• 24.2534697.750359 Mai Ja Yang – A rebel-run casino-laden border boom town. Although it seems that the casino has been converted to a university now.
• 22.10833395.13583310 Monywa – A town famous for its two huge statues of Buddha and a golden pagoda.
• 27.33305697.427511 Putao
• 24.21947294.30869412 Tamu – The border town and gateway to India's Manipur state.

• 25.13333396.3333331 Indawgyi Lake. Seasonal lake and weekend area known for bird watching. (updated May 2019)

Kachin State has been de facto independent from central government's control since 1962, when the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) unilaterally seceded from the Union of Myanmar. A peace deal struck in 1994 after a government army offensive made the arrangement more or less permanent, with the KIO-controlled area formalized as Kachin State Special Region #1, although KIO promptly split up into squabbling factions and the internal situation remains precarious at best.

Unlike much of predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, the Kachin people are predominantly Christian.

In Special Region #1, Mandarin will get you a lot further than Burmese (or English).

Getting in depends on where you're going. For access to government-controlled areas like the capital Myitkyina, there are direct flights from Yangon, although the adventurous may also opt to travel by train from Mandalay (24-30 hours). For the rebel-controlled north, you'll either have to battle your way through massive bureaucracy to secure permits, or take the easier way by entering via China.

Myitsone (Mali Zup), a confluence of the Mali and Nmai Rivers, a naturally splendid hangout.

• 22.4795.8186111 Pyu Ancient Cities (Pyu city-states). A world heritage site made up of several ruins around Northern Myanmar, some of them older than 2,000 years. (updated May 2019)

WARNING: Overseas job scams are rampant in Northern Myanmar. People are lured in by offers of a high-paid job with little to no experience or work visa needed, then held hostage under threats of violence and forced to work in call centers, online gambling, etc. See Human trafficking for details. Chinese speakers are most frequently targeted, but others have been trapped as well. If you or somebody you know have been caught in this scam, contact your country's diplomatic mission.

Government travel advisories Hong Kong