Chin State Myanmar

Chin State Myanmar: The cold land on the mountain peaks and diverse cultures by mr.hotsia

On March 19, 2016, mr.hotsia had the opportunity to explore Hakha city, the capital of Chin State in Myanmar, a land hidden on mountain peaks over 2,000 meters above sea level. This altitude gives the area a cold climate with snowfall possible throughout the year. The first impression was the quietness of the town, which was not very lively. Light dust floated in the small morning market, which was not large but served as the heart of the community here.

Chin State is home to various Chin ethnic groups. One of them is the Sakna people, who originated from Tibet via Myitkyina and migrated to settle in Chin State. The Chin and Kachin people are like siblings but speak different languages, making communication difficult. I spoke with locals through someone who spoke Thai, which opened the door to their stories, including their language and lifestyle that remain intensely unique.

In Hakha city, I had the chance to taste a distinctive local dish: boiled animal offal with corn, which had a fragrant aroma and a mild flavor without the strong smell that many might fear. There was also sour pickled mustard greens soup that added interest to the meal. The food here blends Burmese and Chin cuisines, showing a harmonious cultural diversity.

One memorable experience was visiting an ancient Chin house with a single bedroom for the entire family—parents, children, and in-laws living together with a central hearth that provides warmth during winter when temperatures drop to -8 degrees Celsius. Snow falls on some days of the year, and the altitude above 2,000 meters makes the weather changes very noticeable.

However, I found that the people of Hakha still face serious water shortages. Tap water does not reach every household, so they have to buy water at 10 baht per container from their own drilled groundwater source, which is very costly. This is another side of life that mountain town residents must endure.

For travelers wishing to visit Hakha, there are two main routes: by land from Mandalay or Kalay. I recommend flying into Kalay first and then taking a car to Hakha, as the southern road from Mandalay is still under construction and takes a very long time. For more travel details, you can read further atTraveling to Hakha citywhere I have recorded my detailed experience.

Kalaymyo (Kalay), where I stayed before continuing to Hakha, is an important transit city to Chin State. It has a few hotels for tourists and a lively night market. For those preparing for the mountain trip, I recommend reading hotel reviews and market information from the articleKalaymyoandFood in Kalaymyo

Another special feature of Hakha is the strawberry farms popular among the youth. There, besides tasting fresh fruit, you can also enjoy strawberry wine in a relaxed atmosphere. It is another vibe that shows normal life in a cold town that is not far from modernity.

Most people in Hakha are Christians. Sundays are quiet because villagers go to church and no vehicles run on the roads. Returning to Kalay must be postponed to Monday, as I experienced on this trip.

Regarding expenses, Hakha is a town where almost all food and goods must be imported from Mandalay, making prices quite high. The shampoo I bought was twice as expensive as in Thailand. However, one very cheap item is rice sold at 30 baht per pot, which is considered affordable for locals.

Hakha's future looks bright with the construction of an airport nearing completion. This will greatly improve access to the city, which currently requires several hours by car from Kalay or Mandalay. Domestic airlines may soon offer direct flights to Hakha. Anyone wanting to experience snow in Myanmar without going far to Kachin State should not miss early January, when I believe you will definitely see white snow.

For those interested in traveling to Chin State, remember to plan well because distance and road conditions remain major obstacles. But the reward of beautiful nature, unique lifestyles, and distinctive local food will make every hour of travel worthwhile.

If you want to read about other routes I have traveled to get here, such asMonywa cityor recommended accommodations there likeHotels in Monywa cityyou can click the links to prepare before your trip.

Finally, mr.hotsia would like to share impressions from Hakha, Chin State, a cold land on mountain peaks full of culture and simple yet uniquely charming life. If you want to experience a different Myanmar beyond Yangon or Mandalay, I recommend coming to Chin State, and you will love it as much as mr.hotsia does.