shan state tour

THE 10 BEST Shan State Cultural Tours

Cultural tours in shan state.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Walking Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Photography Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Kakku Pagoda Private Day Trip from Inle Lake

2. Best experience out on Beautiful Inle Lake

3. Mr Zaw's Tofu Tours

4. 9-day Myanmar Private Tour By Plane From Yangon

5. A Magnificent Day on Inle Lake

6. Inle Lake - Indein - Khaung Daing Full-Day Tour

7. Hidden Face

8. Inle Lake Full-Day Tour

9. Inle Lake Full-Day Tour with Boat Trip and Lunch

10. Adventure Trekking to Palaung Villages in Kalaw

11. Quarter Day Adventure

12. A Little Adventure Village Explore

13. Half Day Adventure Mountaineering

14. Day Excursion to Hidden Place of Shan State - Kakku

15. Full-Day Trip to Pindaya from Nyuang Shwe

What travellers are saying.

THE 10 BEST Shan State Cultural Tours

Cultural tours in shan state.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Walking Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Photography Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Kakku Pagoda Private Day Trip from Inle Lake

2. Best experience out on Beautiful Inle Lake

3. Mr Zaw's Tofu Tours

4. 9-day Myanmar Private Tour By Plane From Yangon

5. A Magnificent Day on Inle Lake

6. Inle Lake - Indein - Khaung Daing Full-Day Tour

7. Hidden Face

8. Inle Lake Full-Day Tour

9. Inle Lake Full-Day Tour with Boat Trip and Lunch

10. Adventure Trekking to Palaung Villages in Kalaw

11. Quarter Day Adventure

12. A Little Adventure Village Explore

13. Half Day Adventure Mountaineering

14. Day Excursion to Hidden Place of Shan State - Kakku

15. Full-Day Trip to Pindaya from Nyuang Shwe

What travellers are saying.

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• Places to visit
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Check out all the must-see places and things to do & see

The combination of fun and educational activities

Unique experience combined with top-notch services

Easy excursions combined with unique experience making the long-lasting romantic memories

Reveal off-the-beatentrack routes, least explored destinations, and unknown tribe groups

Explore the least visited destinations and unknown experience on foot

Explore every corners of the destination on two wheels

Easy excursion combined with week-long beach break

The combination of some must-see experience and the cruise tour along the mighty rivers

• Myanmar travel

Shan State Travel

• Mt. Kyaiktiyo Golden Rock
• Pyin Oo Lwin
• Ngapali Beach
• Rakhine State
• Kayah State
• Mergui Archipelago
• Kachin State

Shan State is the largest administrative region in Myanmar and with its location in the east of the country borders the neighbouring nations of China, Thailand and Laos. Predominately rural, life in Shan State is slow paced – a largely sleepy, sedate region in direct contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life in Mandalay and Bagan. 

Best time to visit

Shan State is the appropriate and best place to visit in Mid-March and June . Therefore, it is very convenient to visit southern Shan states, Taunggyi, the capital of southern state during Mid- March, and Mid-June and it is famous for its fabulous mountains, where people can enjoy the hot air ballroom festivals, Shan traditional foods and cultural, heritages in Taunggyi. Another one is Hsi paw which located in Northern Shan state and people can see the loyal palace of Shan regime with the relaxing times and weathers.

Check the below table for the general idea of Shan State weather throughout the year.

Shan State's current weather and 7-day forecast

Shan State’s beautiful bucolic scenery attracts visitors from all over Myanmar and the wider world. Here are our must-see sights.

It is about 7 hour-driving from Yangon. It was once a favored get-away of the colonial era. The trace of this era still exists in the architecture of this mountainous holiday resort area. Kalaw is an ideal destination for hiking and trekking due to immense pine forests.

Pindayya is about 45-minute drive from Kalaw. With magnificent caves, it is one of the greatest destinations in Shan State. In these caves, you will be surrounded by hundreds of ancient stupas. The cave is the pilgrimage destination for thousand people each year. It is one the signature sight of Pindaya that you can’t miss on your vacation in the Shan state.

Inle Lake is the essential destination of any Myanmar trip. It is hard to resist its charm and incredible landscape. It stands out from other destinations for the unique lifestyle of Shan people. Here you can visit the floating villages and spend the last hours of the daytime to watch the incredible sunset.

Click here to get more information about Inle Lake

Taunggyi is the capital of Shan state. The city is blessed with cool weather and a peaceful atmosphere, which makes a favorable place to live. Taunggy is busiest during the festival season. The city annually holds a hot-balloon festival in every November. It is also one of the musts to visit pagodas in Taunggyi. To enjoy the culture, you should visit the famous local market where you can find a lot of unique items embedded with the distinctive culture feature of the local people.

Click here to get more information about Taunggyi

The pagoda complex at Kakku is a centre of worship for the Pa-O people and features thousands of closely-packed stupas in a small area, all with tinkling bells on top – making for an enchanting atmosphere. Unfortunately, many of the structures have been insensitively restored, using concrete instead of traditional brickwork – but the setting remains an impressive one.

Behind the pagodas to the east, you will find a lovely rural scene, with the Shan hills stretching out into the distance and a small river in which you can take a swim. Kakku is one and half hours south of Taunggyi on the road to Loikaw. The Kakku pagoda festival is held on the Full Moon of Tabaung (usually February or March). During the festival, the Pa-O pay homage by wearing their finest ethnic clothing and by decorating their prize bullocks. For exact dates, see our festivals calendar.

It is a miss not to mention Hsipaw on this list. Hsipaw is a worth-visiting destination with full of surprise. Owning a wonderful landscape, it is one of the greatest places for trekking and hiking. And it is also a promising destination for having one of the most beautiful train tracks in the world.

Kyaing Tong (Khengtung)

Khengtung, hidden in concealing mountain valleys of Shan State, lies close to the Thai border and forms part of the Golden Triangle, a picturesque region of green rice paddies. Maymyo, Kalaw, Ngapali – the British definitely knew where to find the nicest spots during their colonial regime… During this time they built the town around the picturesque Naung Tong Lake, near the Pyin Monastery. There are not only wonderful temples, monasteries and old catholic churches to be marvelled at, but hiking to the nearby Akha, An, Lahu or Lisu villages that will bring you back into ancient Asian times…

Goitek Viaduct

For train enthusiasts, traversing the Goitek Viaduct is arguably the most exhilarating rail journey in South East Asia. Boarding in Pyin Oo Lwin, the train rumbles through northern Shan and midway to Hsipaw crosses the 870ft deep gorge at Goitek. Completed in 1901, the viaduct was the longest railway trestle in the world and to this day remains the highest bridge in Myanmar with the track bed towering over 100 metres above the gorge below.

There are several options to stay overnight in the Shan State surrounds. Here are some of our suggestions to make it easier for you to choose your accommodation:

Budget hotel

Mother's home hotel  .

Located within 1.1 km of Mingala Market and 5 km of Red Mountain Estate Vineyards, Mother's Home Hotel provides rooms in Nyaung Shwe. Great room, comfy bed, private balcony with a good sunset view. Staff is helpful and kind.

Silver Lake Hotel 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 1.7 km from Mingala Market, Silver Lake Hotel offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, free bikes and a garden.

Primrose Hotel 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 800 metres from Mingala Market, Primrose Hotel offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. 

Mid-range hotel

Inle strand hotel .

Located in Nyaung Shwe, 700 metres from Mingala Market, Inle Strand Hotel provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a terrace. This hotel is a must go in the city! Very quiet, big room, comfortable bed, perfect breakfast, you can have pancakes, fruit, omelette, all delicious, very friendly and helpful staff.

Immana Grand Inle Hotel 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 700 metres from Mingala Market, Immana Grand Inle Hotel offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a garden. clean clean super clean. Small but good enough swimming pool. Good breakfast. rental free bicycle.

Spring Lodge Inle 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 1.2 km from Mingala Market, Spring Lodge Inle offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. Staff was amazing, very clean and comfortable, excellent price!

Inle Cottage Boutique Hotel 

Located in Nyaung Shwe, 1.1 km from Mingala Market, Inle Cottage Boutique Hotel provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, free bikes and a bar. All staffs are very kind. Night market is close by. 

Kumudra Hill - Mountain View 

Featuring free WiFi, a whirlpool tub and an outdoor pool, Kumudra Hill - Mountain View offers accommodation in Hsipaw. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. 

Deluxe Hotel

Amazing inlay resort .

Located in Nyaung Shwe, 12 km from Maing Thauk Bridge, Amazing Inlay Resort provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. Very nice hotel for reasonable price. Very clean rooms, nice pool area, helpful staff. And also, it is very quiet, which is quite important when you are in Myanmar.

Myanmar Treasure Resorts Inle  

Situated along the north-eastern edge of Inle Lake, Myanmar Treasure Resorts Inle offers peaceful accommodation and views of the lake. Free WiFi is available. Wonderful service, fantastic views, good local and western food.

Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min 

Located on the beautiful and peaceful Inle Lake in Myanmar, Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min offers accommodation with lake, garden or hill views. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the resort.

The spacious suites and villas features a contemporary style with a touch of traditional Myanmar. Each comes with a private balcony along with separate living room, and en-suite bathroom with shower and bathtub. All rooms are fully-equipped

Luxury Hotel

Sanctum inle resort .

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 1.3 km from Maing Thauk Bridge, Sanctum Inle Resort features free bikes and a garden. The property is located 8 km from Red Mountain Estate Vineyards and 10 km from Mingala Market. The restaurant serves local and international cuisine. Every room includes a private bathroom with a bath and all rooms come with a balcony. Guests can relax at the spa or work out at the fitness centre.

Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle

Offering villa-style rooms that are over the water or near it, Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle is next to Inle Lake and south of Nyaung Shwe.

Air-conditioned accommodation features a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a safety deposit. There is also a balcony with lake or mountain views. A shower, bathtub, slippers and free toiletries can be found in the en suite bathroom.

Every Asian country is known to have its own delicious cuisine but on looking carefully, one would find that within a country itself various regions and states have their own typical variations of cuisine.

Along the same lines, the Shan state of Myanmar has a distinct set of dishes which have been perfected over 100 of years by using the local products of the state.

Here are the most popular and authentic Shan State dishes:

Shan Noodles (Shan-Khow suey) 

It’s one of the most popular dishes in Myanmar and one can get it very easily in every tea shop and restaurant. Shan noodles are served either as a soup or as a salad, with sautéed tomato and peanuts as topping. The noodles used for the soup are flat rice noodles and for the salad are round rice noodles. One can either choose vegetarian noodles or with shredded chicken.

It’s very delicious with the taste of tanginess. 

Chickpea tofu soup (Tofu Nway) 

The rich thick tofu soup or chickpea gravy noodle is prepared by mixing soft creamy tofu paste with rice noodles and served with garnishing like sesame seeds, garlic oil and spring onions.

Tofu nway is usually preferred for breakfast in Shan State but one can enjoy it at any time of the day. Due to the tofu paste, it is a filling and satisfying meal.

Shan Yellow Rice cake with tomato sauce (Shan-Htamin) 

It’s made using steam Shan sticky rice with turmeric. It is usually served as a round cake, with a garnishing of sautéed tomato and fried garlic will be on top of the cake.

Variations of this dish are made by using different toppings like shredded chicken, dried chilly fried, coriander leaves and cloves of raw garlic.

This dish can be eaten either as a meal or as a snack.

Shan fish rice (Nga-Htamin)

This dish is a mix of steamed Shan rice, shreds of cooked fish and garlic oil.  It served as a ball of the mix, with a topping of crispy fried noodle flakes, spring onions and fried dried chilly.

All Shan dishes are served with Monnyinchin (pickled mustard greens) on the side and a small bowl of soup.

Meat ball noodles

It’s a soup type noodle dish with different meat balls as per your choice. There are beef meat balls, chicken meat balls and pork meat balls. Although the noodle soup is a little bland in taste but the meat balls enhance the taste and make it super delicious.Shan state dishes are most commonly prepared with thin, flat rice noodles with chicken or pork, garnished with garlic oil and toasted dried chilly. They are served with a side of pickled vegetables.

Shan State can be reached by road or air. The most convenient way is to fly from Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay to Heho and then take a transfer to Shan State. You can refer to the information below:

Yangon to Shan State

The best way to get from Yangon to Shan State is to fly which takes 3h 26m including transfers and costs $85 - $170. 

Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $25 - $40 and takes 11h 14m.

The driving distance between Yangon to Shan State is 646 km. It takes approximately 7h 35m to drive from Yangon to Shan State.

Bagan to Shan State

The best way to get from Bagan to Shan State is to fly which takes 1h 14m including transfers and costs $70 - $130. 

Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $23 - $26 and takes 9h 59m.

The driving distance between Bagan to Shan State is 332 km. It takes approximately 4h 57m to drive from Bagan to Shan State.

Mandalay to Shan State

The best way to get from Mandalay to Shan State is to fly which takes 1h 21m including transfers and costs $95 - $160. 

Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $14 - $20 and takes 8h 6m.

The driving distance between Mandalay to Shan State is 323 km. It takes approximately 4h 7m to drive from Mandalay to Shan State.

Contact us for the latest flight schedule and price. Or you can check via some online platform such as SkyScanner.com or Kayak.com

Here you can find some tips to book the cheapest flight

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

What to see & do

Where to stay, what & where to eat, getting there & around.

TOUR PACKAGES INCLUDING "Shan State"

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We believe you have the right to arm yourselves with as much information as possible before making any decision. Check below our recommended plans regarding the theme you prefer or what you can do based on the time frame you have

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Taking a cruise on the fascinating Mekong River offers a unique and memorable travel experience. The Mekong River, one of the longest rivers in Asia, flows through several countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Each destination along the river offers its own distinct cultural, historical, and natural attractions. In this article, we will go over what you can expect when cruising the Mekong River. 

How many days do you need in Myanmar

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian countries has taken the cautious approach to inbound travel and has had some of the strictest border restrictions and closures. At the moment, the nations of the region are in the beginning stages of reopening their borders for tourism, with every country introducing its own regulations.

The “unlocking” statuses vary widely. Travelers entering Asian countries may be required to do everything from going into quarantine, submitting negative COVID-19 test results, presenting proof of health insurance, and proof of vaccination (known a vaccine passports).

There is an understandable uncertainty with how you should travel to the Asian region if you are planning to. This is why we present you the list of 19 Asian countries, along with details on the current travel situation. As each country applies precisely defined regulations, you should always check the official websites listed in the article below for the latest government announcements.

Myanmar will resume international passenger flights from April 17, the military said on Saturday, lifting a two-year ban on foreign tourists.

Thanaka or  thanakha is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of the culture of Myanmar, seen commonly applied to the face and sometimes the arms of women and girls, and is used to a lesser extent also by men and boys. The use of thanaka has also spread to neighboring countries including Thailand.

Within this article, we will learn everything about Thanaka and the benefits of its powder in making a secret beauty ingredient of Burmese women.

Burmese Longyi, along with the country’s longtime history, art, and heritage sites has contributed to the richness of the local culture that will grasp your attention whenever you find yourself in strolling around the streets of Myanmar. With just a piece of fabric grasping on the lower part of the body through time, the longyi has made it become an incredible pattern of Myanmar traditional costume for both men and women. In this article, we are going to find out the secret of Myanmar quintessence through Longyi, about why it has been worn for centuries by the Burmese people.

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6 Days Cycling Tour in Shan State, Myanmar

• FULL ITINERARY

Duration 6 Days/ 5 Nights Departure Yangon

Contact for price

Embark on our Shan State cycling tour 6 days in Myanmar, commencing with an exploration of Yangon, followed by an enchanting journey across the hilly terrain of Shan State.

Myanmar’s second-largest city, Yangon, is steeped in history and features several significant landmarks that are a testament to its colonial past. The Post Office, Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden, and Independence Monument are among the prominent sights. The Chaukhtatgyi Buddha and Shwedagon Pagoda are architectural marvels that showcase the profound influence of Buddhism on Myanmar.

Next, enjoy a four-day cycling tour through the verdant forests, rolling hills, and authentic villages of southern Shan State. This Myanmar tour concludes with a visit to Inle Lake for a serene boat ride, providing a perfect finale to this exhilarating journey.

Tour Highlights

• Visit Yangon’s major highlights, including the Post Office, Shwedagon Pagoda, Mahabandoola Garden, Independence Monument, etc.
• Have a wonderful biking experience in southern Shan State, from Pindaya to Inle Lake, riding through lush forests, rice fields, and hill tribe villages.
• Embark on a boat cruise on Inle Lake, observe local people’s unique fish-catching methods
• Meet with local people on a floating village

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: arrive in yangon.

Upon arrival at Yangon Airport, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for checking in and taking a short break.

Start your Myanmar tour with a visit to Yangon City through the Post Office , Mahabandoola Garden , and Independence Monument .

Shwedagon Pagoda

If there is enough time, you can admire the Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple , which is famous for the 66-meter-long reclining Buddha.

End your day with a sunset view at Shwedagon Pagoda . Overnight in Yangon.

DAY 2: Yangon - Heho - Pindaya

You take a domestic flight to Heho in the early morning and be welcomed by our biking team right at the airport.

Take time to test your bike and read a safety briefing before starting your Shan State cycling tour 6 days in Pindaya. Ride through the rolling hills, rice fields, and lush forests of Shan State and enjoy breathtaking countryside scenery.

Overnight in Pindaya.

DAY 3: Pindaya - Kalaw

In the morning, you will ride to Pindaya Cave , which is home to more than 8,000 Buddha images of various sizes and shapes. Then, continue to Kalaw by riding through rice fields, pine forests, and hill tribe villages.

Stop at a hotel in Kalaw, check-in, and have a shower. After that, you can relax at the hotel or stroll around the town to observe its magnificent colonial buildings.

Overnight in Kalaw.

DAY 4: Kalaw - Nyaungshwe

After breakfast at the hotel, you ride a short distance to a nearby village to enjoy the authentic rural scenery. Onwards riding to a flatland near Inle Lake.

Enjoy another unique experience of your Shan State cycling tour 6 days with a visit to the gateway of Inle Lake – Nyaungshwe .

Overnight in Nyaungshwe.

DAY 5: Nyaungshwe - Inle Lake

This will be the final biking day of your Myanmar tour. You will ride along the eastern shore of Inle Lake to observe local people’s lives. Embark on a boat and cruise along the lake, witnessing the traditional fishing methods of the leg-rowing technique.

Fishermen in Inle Lake

Continue the boat ride to visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda , Nga Phe Chaung monastery , and a 200-year-old Buddha statue . End your cruise at the Kyun-Hmyaw floating garden where you can enjoy a sunset over Inle Lake.

Return to the hotel and overnight in Inle Lake.

DAY 6: Inle Lake - Yangon, Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, you check out and transfer to Heho Airport for a flight back to Yangon, connecting to your flight back home.

End of Shan State cycling tour 6 days. Say goodbye and hope to see you on the next Myanmar tour.

What's included

• Accommodations (Hotels, resorts, or homestays as mentioned in the program)
• Meals as indicated in the program (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
• Airport pickup
• Domestic flight tickets
• Bike and biking accessories
• Boat trip on Inle Lake
• Tour guides (English speaking or other languages upon request)
• Entrance fees as per itinerary

What's excluded:

• Visa/passport
• International flights to and/or from Myanmar
• Travel Insurances
• Meals and/or drinks not mentioned in the program
• Peak season surcharges (if any)
• Tips, laundry, and gratuities
• Other personal expenses

Cancellation by Customer

– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines, boats, trains…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.

– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:

• Cancellation received 60 days prior to the arrival date: Cancellation fees applied by airlines, hotels… (if any)
• Cancellation received from 60 days to 30 days prior arrival date: 20% of total package tour charged + Cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, boats, trains… (if any)
• Cancellation received from 29 days to 15 days prior arrival date: 50% of total package tour charged + Cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, boats, trains… (if any)
• Cancellation received from 14 days to 7 days prior arrival date: 70% of total package tour charged + Cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, boats, trains… (if any)
• Less than 7 days prior to arrival date, or no show: 100 % charge

Children Policy

• Free of charge for child under 5 years accompany with 1 full paying client, sharing room and food with parents. He/ she shall pay for air tickets (if any) and/ or incurred expenses
• 75% charged for child from 5 – under 11 years accompany with 1 full paying clients, using services as an adult
• Child age of 11 years up is subject to adult rate
• Best price guarantee
• Wonderful Experience
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• Money back guarantee
• Customizable by local experts

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Are you interested in this tour or would you like to customize your own trip? Call our local experts: +84913.000.858

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Questions & answers.

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• About Shan State

Geographically Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south. It is made up of five administrative divisions of mainland in the west. Being the 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. Most of the Shan State region is full of hilly plateaus, which joined together with the higher mountains in the north and south forms the Shan Hills system. The gorge of the Thanlwin (Salween) River cuts across the state allowing many settlements to be formed along the river.

Shan State is the largest of Myanmar’s seven states located in Eastern Myanmar, sharing a border with China in the north and Thailand in the south. The Shan plateau is picturesque with its natural beauty that includes the Shan Hills, often referred to as Shan Highlands stretching across to neighbouring Thailand. The hills with their narrow valleys are a trekkers’ delight, who get to see the alignment of the mountain ranges to the Himalayan foothills in the North West.

Being located at an altitude of 1436 metres, Taunggyi (which means ‘Big Mountain’ in Burmese) has a cool and pleasant year-round climate. The capital city of the Shan State lies on a hill region the atmosphere is conducive to good health especially by means of the salubrious mountain air. Set spectacularly on a mountain ridge and home to a large number of traditional ethnic tribes, including the Intha and the Pa-O, who in fact outnumber Shan here. The city hosts a bustling market, where you will find large numbers of Pa-O, instantly recognisable by the colourful towels that the women wear on their heads. There is also a variety of tasty local Shan dishes to be tried out, as well as a range of wines at the nearby Aythaya vineyard. The dazzling fire balloon festival that takes place in November and the thousands of pagodas that can be found nearby at Kakku are other reasons to visit Taunggyi. The Shan State Cultural Museum offers some insight into the history and style of the various tribes in the area, as well as some local political history.

The pagoda complex at Kakku is a centre of worship for the Pa-O people and features thousands of closely-packed stupas in a small area, all with tinkling bells on top – making for an enchanting atmosphere. Unfortunately, many of the structures have been insensitively restored, using concrete instead of traditional brickwork – but the setting remains an impressive one. Behind the pagodas to the east, one will find a lovely rural scene, with the Shan hills stretching out into the distance. The Kakku pagoda festival is held on the Full Moon of Tabaung (usually February or March). During the festival, the Pa-O tribe pay homage by wearing their finest ethnic clothing and by decorating their prize bullocks.

Before World War II Kalaw had belonged under the rule of the Sawbwas, but as the British took over Myanmar (Burma) Kalaw served as a sub-division head office to the army while Aung Ban served as the District office. By 1966 Kalaw became the headquarter taking over Aung Ban and Heho which then served as sub-divisional townships. At an elevation of 1400 meter above sea level, Kalaw is spread around 582 sq miles and is located in the Shan highlands. Kalaw was initially founded by the Palaung Tribe, where they used to call it “Kalaung” in their native tongue. This old hill station on the rim of the Shan Plateau, located the Pine-land, remains a favorite place for holidays.

The main attractions of Kalaw are the town itself with its mock-tutor colonial bungalows, its ethnic mix of people, and its location; trekking distances of many ethnic minority villages. Many colonial Tudor-style houses and English gardens of remain. People from the villages of the Palaung tribe and other hill tribes come to the Kalaw market held every five days, in their colorful costumes adding to the sentient. This old hill station on the rim of the Shan Plateau, in the Pineland, remains a favourite place for holidays. The main attractions of Kalaw are the town itself, with its mock-tutor colonial bungalows, its ethnic mix of people, and it’s setting within trekking distance of many ethnic minority villages.

is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar located in the middle of the greatest depression in Nyaung Shwe valley between two parallel mountain ranges running north to south in the southern Shan State. 35 km from the nearest airport at Heho. There are flights from both Yangon and Mandalay. Inle Lake is shallow, 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, 4358 feet above the sea level among the hazy Blue Mountains. Inle’s most unusual feature is its extraordinary ‘leg-rowing fishermen’ who have developed an original, eccentric method of rowing their small boats with one leg. Floating gardens are built-up from strips of water hyacinth and mud, dredged from the lakebed. Villages, farms and monasteries perch over the water on stilts. Visitors may observe cottage industries of weaving, netting and cheroot making etc.

Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar, located in the middle of the Nyaung Shwe valley between two parallel mountain ranges it runs north to south in the southern Shan State. It is located 35 km from the nearest airport at Heho; there are often flights from both Yangon and Mandalay. Shallow, 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, 4358 feet above the sea level among its surrounding hazy Blue Mountains. But the shallow lake is what allows its residents to LIVE ON the lake in hut style houses, and also have commercial activities. Inle’s most unusual feature is its extraordinary ‘leg-rowing fishermen’— that have developed an original, eccentric method of rowing their small boats with one leg. There are many floating gardens that are built-up from strips of water hyacinth and mud, dredged from the lakebed. Villages, farms and monasteries perch over the water on stilts. Visitors may observe cottage industries of weaving, netting and cheroot making etc.

Pindaya is known for its extensive network of limestone caves, situated at the foot of Menetaung Range at an elevation of 1160 meters above sea level, and about 45 km north of Kalaw is a picturesque place called Known to the world as the home of the countless Buddha Images in its extensive lime stone caves and picturesque lake. The main sight in the area is Pindaya Cave, locally known as Shwe Oo Min Cave and unique Shan traditional paper umbrella making works. The limestone caves contain a maze of chambers with 6226 Buddha statues. Some of them are tiny, others are huge, and are made of white marble, bronze or plaster, coated with gold leaf. Some of the smaller caves within the complex serve as meditation chambers. Scenic drive over the rolling hills of the Shan plateau through colourful mustard and wheat field. The road from Kalaw to Pindaya (38 km) passes through countryside of magnificent scenic beauty. Oxcarts are not an uncommon sight and the pace of life is unhurried here.

Padah-Lin Caves

Padah-Lin Caves are limestone caves, located on a spur of the Nwalabo Mountains within the Panlaung Reserved Forest. There are two caves, the smaller of the two is a rock shelter while the larger cave comprises nine chambers connected by narrow passages in a north-south axis, three large sink holes that let natural light in, and several active speleothem formations. Red ochre paintings of human hands, fish, bulls, bison, deer and other objects are visible at the rock shelter. The art has not been directly dated. The walls of the cave have also been decorated with carved patterns. More than 300 cupules have been documented in the rock shelter.

Excavations at the rock shelter recovered seven pieces of charcoal and bone that were radiocarbon dated to between 1750 and 13000 years BP. The excavation also recovered over 1600 stone artefacts as well as many pieces of bone and red ochre. The stone artefacts include uni-facial choppers, bifacial chopping tools, perforated stone rings, adzes and scrapers. Excavations in the larger cave revealed deposits dating to 65000 years ago, and flaked stone artefacts dating to 25000 years ago.

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The Shan people consist of various ethnics like Wa, Pa-O, Palaung, Lisu, Lahu, Akha, Kokang and Intha. Some of the religions practised are Buddhishm, Christianity, Animism, Islam, and Hinduism. The locals speak Myanmarese and Shan, a language that resembles the Thai language.

Shan State is mostly hilly and the climate is cold and tropical with a state size of 155,801 km². It is bordered by China, Laos and Thailand.

interesting facts

As the state derived its name from the Shan people, self-administration areas can be found in Shan. Coming into 2014, the state’s population is at 5.824 million people.

Indulge in the exquisite mix of the wonders of nature and customs of the state.

Wondrous caves.

Due to the mountainous topography, tourists can find some of the best caves in Myanmar in Shan state. Apart from admiring the formation of these caves, visitors can take in the view of diverse flora and fauna found in the surrounding area . Tourists also get to see magnificent limestone caves that take millions of years to form. The longest and deepest caves and archaeological caves can also be found in Shan State, making cave-exploring a compulsory activity for tourists. Taunggyi and Kalaw would be the best place for cave explorers to visit, as both places are known to have caves that date back to the Neolithic era.

INTERESTING ACTIVITIES

Plenty of activities involving nature could be done in this state. Tourists can hike and trek hills and mountains while observing lush pine trees in pine forests, or watch sunsets by the lake. Tourists should also visit the floating villages. Villagers in the floating village are known for their unique rowing method in which they row their boats with only one leg, and this style can only be seen in Shan state. As Shan state offers tons of picturesque views with its hilly landscape and diverse ecosystem, the place is the ideal destination for photographers to take brilliant photos of nature. For those who prefer to learn more about Myanmar’s history while keeping in touch with nature, they can visit caves that also serve as archaeological sites.

ETHNICS & BELIEFS

Diverse ethnics and cultures could be found in Shan. Each ethnic has an interesting background and history of how they began and it is an eye-opening experience to watch them interact with tourists and each other in their home ground. There is the once-fearsome Wa ethnic from the mountains that was called ‘Wild Wa’ by the British due to their head-hunting practices in the past. The Pa-O people are easily identified. The people mostly wear dark clothes with bright and colourful embroidery along with turbans on their heads for both men and women The Shans also have a folklore that dates back to the days of their ancestors. There is a belief that lonely places like graveyards and the forests are crowded with ghosts and demons, and the locals even have exorcisms to get rid of evil spirits. They also believe in reincarnation after one’s death. As the Shans are mostly Buddhists, they highly regard compassion and enlightenment. They deeply respect the disciplined Buddhist monks and believe that staying away from negative practices would ward off evil and better their lives.

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Situated 46 kilometres from Taunggyi at 1,800 metres above sea level, this magnificent limestone cave was found by a young monk. Standing at 10 metres high, the cave showcases the beautiful formation of stalactites and stalagmites that take millions of years to form. This rare beauty is greatly admired by tourists and cave-explorers from all over the world.

The cave is filled with an array of Buddhist statues and images of all materials, shapes, and sizes. There are more than 8,094 statues in the cave, including statues that are centuries old and those that are recently placed there by other Buddhists. As the cave serves as a religious site for monks, the statues and images are to be treated with respect.

The caves contain an impressive amount of history dating back to the Neolithic era. The caves are only 30 metres apart from each other. Some of the earliest wall carvings and paintings can be found here, along with weapons made of bones and stones by primitive people. This makes the Pyadalin Caves some of the few places in the world that contain evidence of prehistoric times.

Thousands of years ago, the rocky cave was formed on the surface of a mountain wall. Located only 3 kilometres from Taunggyi, the Montawa Cave can be accessed by car. The entrance of the cave is narrow but it has a deep interior, lined with more than 1,000 Buddha images. The depth of the cave is still not identified, making it an intriguing cave to visit.

The capital city of Shan has a comfortable, peaceful environment, making it a great spot for tourists to spend some nights there. Taunggyi is busiest and packed with people when it comes to festive seasons. Tourists can join in the festivals or visit some of the pagodas found in the city. The local market offers a variety of items that reflect the culture of Shan.

Lashio is famous for the Burma Road built by the British during World War II. Tourists would enjoy the journey along the Shan state, admiring the scenic view and taking in the clean, chilly air of the environment or take a train ride on the winding tracks on the hill. Tourists can also enjoy the hot springs available in Lashio.

Kakku Pagoda Festival

The Pa-O ethnic group will gather at the pagoda in traditional costumes to celebrate a successful harvest. Villagers sell their produce in ox-carts and donate their earnings to the pagoda to earn merits. Aside from being an important religious activity to the locals, this festival plays a crucial role in contributing to the country’s economy.

Thingyan New Year Festival

The Myanmarese celebrate the new year on the second week of April. Locals would pour water on each other as a cleansing ritual for the body and soul to ward off negativity from the past year. In this exciting festival, people will also perform kind deeds to people around them to celebrate the new year.

Hot-Air Balloon Festival

Held in Taunggyi, this highly anticipated festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. The festival can be enjoyed for the whole day as the balloon display is available for day and night with distinctive balloon shapes and sizes for both times. There will be pagodas and animal balloons during the day and illuminated balloons at night.

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The gong resounds, the curtain opens, and a heavenly scene is right before your eyes. Fairies emerge from a sea of billowing clouds. Mongolians ride on horseback across grasslands as vast as the sky. Classic stories of love and loss, of humor and heroic deeds, come to life. You will be amazed by how vibrant, exciting, and profound classical Chinese culture can be.

“An explosion of color and sound... Chinese culture in its fullest flower.” — Charlotte Observer

A Divine Culture—Lost

Through breathtaking dance and music, Shen Yun’s artists tell of a time when divine beings walked upon the earth, leaving behind a culture that inspired generations. Ancient Chinese wisdom, infused with Buddhist and Taoist spirituality and values, gave birth to everything from medical innovations to opera, dance, architecture, and even martial arts. But after decades of communist rule, much of this divinely inspired culture has been destroyed or forgotten.

5,000 Years of Civilization Reborn

Shen Yun is a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China’s rich cultural heritage.

Each performance consists of about 20 pieces, quickly moving from one legend, region, or dynasty to the next. Themes range from the delicate elegance of Tang court ladies to the battlefield heroics of valiant generals, from the timeless philosophical works of Lao-Tzu to spectacular scenes of magical realms. Some pieces also touch upon the topic of today’s China, shedding light on the oppression many experience for their spiritual beliefs, such as Falun Dafa. These tales of courage are often what audience members find the most touching and uplifting.

Shen Yun’s works convey the extraordinary depth and breadth of genuine Chinese culture, and bring the magnificence of five thousand years of civilization back to life on stage.

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Soaring Insurance Costs Could Force House Prices To Fall—and Some Homeowners To Forgo Coverage

When Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss learned his windstorm insurance was doubling to $20,000 a year, his insurance agent had an unexpected solution: Pay off the mortgage on his West Palm Peach, FL, home and drop the insurance entirely.

So, two years ago, he did just that. He figured his century-old home had survived “numerous” hurricanes. The money he saved on the insurance was used instead for a new roof. He also installed impact windows in the three-bedroom home, which is located about a mile from the shore.

“It felt terrible. … [But] it just didn’t make sense anymore,” says Weiss, who is also a former mayor. “When you look at the cost-benefit analysis, I couldn’t justify the cost of that insurance anymore.”

He continues to pay his regular insurance policy.

(Getty Images)

In the past few years, insurance companies have been increasing homeowners’ premiums , dropping longtime customers, and exiting risky parts of the country entirely as climate risks and their potential losses grow due to disasters like flooding, wildfires, and hurricanes.

That has forced homeowners such as Weiss to make tough choices, such as accepting the risks if they drop their insurance coverage, paying higher premiums, or moving to lower-cost areas. (Most homeowners with a mortgage are required to have insurance, which they can drop once their loans are paid off.)

High insurance premiums are already affecting the housing markets of the most affected areas, which continue to attract new residents often due to their natural beauty.

Homes might sit on the market for longer, prices are being forced down, and deals are falling apart. And it’s expected to only get worse as communities continue to grapple with increasing climate risks and insurance premiums. These forces are likely to contribute to where people live and what happens to the communities they leave behind.

Almost half of the homes in the country are at risk of severe or extreme damage from environmental threats, affecting nearly $22 trillion in real estate, according to a recent Realtor.com® report .

“It’s making it much more expensive to live here than it was just a few years ago,” says Weiss. “It causes a lot of stress.”

Last month, State Farm said it would discontinue offering coverage for 72,000 houses and apartments in the wildfire-prone state of California beginning in the summer. This comes less than a year after it stopped issuing new home insurance policies in the state.

The news follows Farmers Insurance announcing last summer that it wouldn’t be offering any home, auto, or umbrella policies in the state of Florida. This affected about 100,000 customers.

(David McNew/Getty Images)

If these homeowners can’t find other insurance plans, they will be forced to move onto the state plans of last resort that cover the customers that private insurers find too risky. This can often be expensive and homeowners might have to pick up additional plans to cover any gaps, especially if their mortgage lenders require the extra coverage. Some will go without insurance.

About 12% of homeowners did not purchase homeowners insurance, according to a 2023 report from the Insurance Information Institute and Munich Reinsurance America.

“The biggest challenge is lots of people have made decisions based on where to live and what properties to buy based on existing insurance policies,” says  Benjamin Collier , a risk management and insurance professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. “When you change the costs, people get hurt.”

Nationally, insurance premiums rose 11.3% in 2023 and shot up 33.8% from 2018 to 2023, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence .

“In certain regions, the surge in insurance costs has been staggering, nearly tripling within a span of just a few years,” says  Jenny Lenz , managing director of Dolly Lenz Real Estate. “This sharp rise is placing immense strain on the budgets of homebuyers, with some even being forced to withdraw entirely due to insurance premiums becoming simply unmanageable or unattainable.”

How much could home prices be affected by higher insurance premiums?

Estimates vary on how much home prices could be affected by climate risk and higher insurance costs.

If home insurance premiums were expected to rise 20% annually for the next 20 years, home prices could fall as much as 10%, according to a recent report from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Homes at risk of flooding could face even deeper price reductions. For every $1 increase in someone’s flood insurance premium, their home value falls by $41, says Shan Ge , a finance professor at New York University. In areas with high sea level risk, that $1 increase translates into a $250 home value decline. Home price appreciation also falls.

“If premiums go up by $100, home values go down by $4,100 for homes not exposed to sea level rise and by $25,000 for homes that are exposed to sea level rise,” says Ge. She was one of the authors of an academic paper that looked at how the increases in the National Flood Insurance Program premiums affected home prices.

More people are beginning to take the threat of a 100-year storm more seriously as insurance premiums rise, says Ge. Just a few years ago, the threat of a natural disaster striking their property might have seemed improbable or a problem for the distant future. But higher insurance costs that better measure their risks are hitting their budgets today .

The higher insurance costs haven’t pushed home prices down by too much—yet. With so few homes available on the market, buyers and investors are keeping prices high, even for homes in risky areas. However, experts believe it’s only a matter of time before that changes.

“In some areas, homes that are legitimately in a high-risk area, they begin to sit on the market longer. Ultimately, you begin to see discounting,” says Jesse Keenan , a sustainable real estate and urban planning professor at Tulane University in New Orleans.

The discounts are just due to higher insurance premiums. Homebuyers are also weighing the likelihood of future damages.

Higher insurance premiums are hurting home sales in some areas

Already, some homebuyers are having trouble qualifying for mortgages or are backing out of deals due to higher insurance costs, says Joe Uzee , president of the mortgage division of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust. It has 20 branches in Louisiana, a state that has been ravaged by hurricanes .

About 30% to 40% of the deals he sees in his state fall apart after someone who is under contract to purchase a home gets insurance quotes.

“They may say the insurance premium is making this payment unaffordable,” says Uzee. “It could certainly hinder a seller’s ability to sell a house.”

About 90% of Florida investors missed out on at least one deal because of insurance issues, says Rick Sharga , CEO of CJ Patrick Co., a real estate and mortgage intelligence firm. They couldn’t get insurance or couldn’t afford it for a property they wanted.

He’s personally experienced the troubles with rising insurance premiums. His insurer canceled the policy on his Orange County, CA, home due to wildfire risk. This pushed him into the state’s FAIR plan (the insurer of last resort), and he purchased an additional plan to go with it. He’s paying twice as much as he was just two years ago.

Experts say that eventually only the very wealthy and investors may be able to afford homes along the storm-prone coasts and wildfire-prone parts of the West. Everyone else, including retirees on fixed incomes, might move to nearby inland or safer counties—if they can afford to do so.

(Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

“Lower-income and middle-income people will find it increasingly challenging to live in these areas,” says Dave Jones , the director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He is also the former insurance commissioner for the state of California. “Some wealthier people and investors will move in behind those who are moving out.”

Many of the people moving to flood zones along the nation’s scenic coastlines are indeed wealthier individuals, says Parinitha Sastry , a finance professor at Columbia University in New York City.

“If people want to rebuild and retain their communities, I’m for that,” she says. However, “people who can’t afford to bear the disaster losses shouldn’t be in those areas. It’s going to wipe them out.”

Insurance premiums are often artificially low for the riskiest homes

As high as insurance costs are, they’re often artificially low for the riskiest homes.

Prices have been driven up in recent years due to rising climate risks, more people moving to vulnerable parts of the country (such as Florida), inflation increasing the costs to rebuild after a disaster, and reinsurance companies, which insure the insurance companies. When reinsurers increase their prices, those costs get passed on to policyholders.

However, federal and state governments have been trying to keep prices in check so as not to hurt homeowners or destroy communities.

For example, the federally run National Flood Insurance Program, which provides flood insurance to homeowners, has capped increases to 18% a year for most policyholders. Critics have said that this keeps premiums lower for the highest-risk properties, but requires less vulnerable property owners to pay more to spread out the risk.

In addition, each state has an insurance commissioner, many of whom must approve rate increases before insurers hike premiums. That can become a standoff in some states where each side is waiting for the other to blink first.

The result is insurance companies are pulling out of the riskiest areas, pushing homeowners into the state insurance plans.

One potential solution is to build more resilient homes that can withstand natural disasters, says Lars Powell , director of the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

“That has to be the future,” says Powell. “Or only the rich people will live on the coast because only they can afford the insurance or afford not to have insurance.”

Clare Trapasso is the executive news editor of Realtor.com. She was previously a reporter for the Associated Press, the New York Daily News, and a Financial Times publication. She also taught journalism courses at several New York City colleges. Email [email protected].

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