 |
|
Other Destination |
|
 Myitkyina : The capital of Kachin State and the first town on the
Ayeyarwady river. The Myitsone or the Confluence, where the two rivers ,
the N'maihka and the Maihka joins to form the Ayeyarwady River is 27
miles to the north a popular and picturesque picnic spot. Myitkyina is
home to the Kachins, Rawangs and Lisus etc. The Kachins hold annual new
year festivals called Manaw during January.
|
|
Putao : When the
British were here they called this place Fort Hertz in honour of Capt
Hertz, the British Administrator of the region. Putao is located on the
Hkamtilon Plain and the northernmost air terminal in the country. The
predominant ethnic group are the Rawangs but there are also Hkamti Shans
and Lisus and Kachins. Ice-clad peaks are easily visible from Putao and
Mt. Phungan, at above 3500 metres, is a favourite among people who wants
to do some medium trekking. The Hkakaborazi National Park, named after
Mt. Hkakaborazi, is a natural living museum of wild and exotic flora and
fauna species. Mt. Hkakaborazi is 5881 metres above sea level and is the
highest mountain in S.E Asia and snow and ice covered the whole year
around. It is 30 days march distant from Putao and was conquered only
very recently by two professional climbers; a Myanmar national and a
Japanese. The Rawangs also celebrate the manaw like the Kachins.
Trekking enthusiast can go to many villages around Putao, either on
soft, medium and hard treks. Mountaineering, white-water rafting and
canoeing are also possible for the adventurous. 
Sittwe : The British called it Akyab. It is situated on the
western seaboard at the mouth of the Kaladan River and the capital of
Rakhine (Rakhine) State. When Rakhine had its own kingdom Sittwe was
just a small fisher village but when the British conquered parts of
Myanmar after the 1st Anglo-Myanmar War Rakhine was ceded to them and
Sittwe made into its capital. Sittwe is now a busy coastal city trading
mostly in seafood products and the markets are colourful at best when
the fishing boats arrive with their daily catch. 
Thandwe (Ngapali) : The beach area is Ngapali and the airport
is at Thandwe ( formerly called Sandoway by the British). This is one of
the most popular of three beach areas on the western seaboard. Ngapali
Beach stretches approximately 7 miles and many come here for the sun,
fun and relaxation. Thandwe also has a long history. In ancient times it
was known as Dvaravati and it is believed that when attacked by enemies
the city would rise into the sky and stay suspended until the siege is
over.
