Kachin State

Kachin State: The northernmost land of Myanmar that mr.hotsia must experience

Many times when I, mr.hotsia, travel to neighboring countries like Myanmar, it always feels like discovering a new corner of the world. And the latest time I experienced Kachin State was truly an exhilarating experience in every dimension.

Kachin State is located at the northernmost part of Myanmar, covering a vast area of 89,041 square kilometers, divided into 3 main districts:Myitkyina DistrictThe state capital,Bhamo DistrictAlso known as Phamo, andPutao District(Putao) A highlight that impressed me greatly is Mount Hkakabo Razi, which rises to 5,881 meters and is the highest peak in Southeast Asia.

Traveling to Myitkyina, the important city to visit

My journey started in Mandalay, where I took a VIP sleeper bus departing at 3 PM and arrived in Myitkyina the next morning. Although traveling by sleeper bus in Myanmar is not as comfortable as expected, the roads under construction and improvement have significantly reduced travel time. For those planning to come, I recommend booking tickets through the Fortune Hotel in Mandalay for convenience and safety. Alternatively, if you want to save time, you can fly directly to Myitkyina from Yangon or Mandalay. Airfare usually starts around 100 USD with multiple flight options.

I stayed at the New Light Hotel near Myitkyina’s central market, a place where I truly experienced the local life. Myitkyina warmly welcomes tourists in the city, but traveling to other towns in Kachin District requires careful checking of which towns allow entry or may require flying only. I obtained information and a list of permitted towns from the local government to avoid travel mistakes and wasted time.

Myitkyina Morning Market: A Colorful Must-See

The morning market in Myitkyina is another highlight I, mr.hotsia, strongly recommend. Located by the Irrawaddy River, locals bring fresh fish, vegetables, and other goods to sell energetically in the morning. The market’s highlight is the “Pla Som” (fermented fish) carefully piled like a mountain in basins, and fish balls made from a special Myitkyina fish recipe, shaped into balls and wrapped in leaves for sale.

I love the market atmosphere where fish are laid on fresh green leaves, something becoming rare in other towns. Here, the traditional and unique Kachin food culture remains clearly preserved.Read more about Myitkyina morning market

The Origin of the Irrawaddy River at Myitsone

From Myitkyina, I rented a motorcycle and traveled to Myitsone, the famous source of the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. The trip took about 1 hour covering approximately 40 kilometers. Along the way, you can stop to see small villages, a simple lifestyle that impressed me deeply.

Myitsone is where the Mali Hka and N'Mai Hka rivers converge to form the main Irrawaddy River, which stretches 2,170 kilometers and is vital to the local people’s lives. This trip gave me a profound insight into the relationship between nature and the local community.Read about the experience of visiting the source of the Irrawaddy River

Kachin Food: Simple Yet Full of Flavor

I tried various local Kachin dishes, both from markets and local restaurants in Myitkyina. The food ranges from spicy to mild flavors typical of northern Myanmar, such as the fermented fish I mentioned, and dishes mainly made from fish and fresh vegetables.

For me, mr.hotsia, I really enjoyed tasting local food that differs from general Myanmar cuisine, especially dishes using unique local spices and herbs. I have written stories and shared photos of Kachin food.HereIf anyone is interested in the authentic flavors from this northernmost land,

Experience Kachin lifestyle and culture deeply

Besides nature and food, what impressed me most was the cultural and linguistic diversity here. Kachin State has many ethnic groups speaking various languages such as Burmese, Jinghpaw, Rawang, and Tai Khun, blending with both Buddhist and Christian beliefs living harmoniously together.

Traveling in each town requires caution and always checking information with officials or hotels because some towns are still not easily accessible to tourists. But with proper help and accurate information, I was able to travel smoothly and impressively.

An exhilarating trip recommended by mr.hotsia

If you want to experience the beauty of Kachin State like me, I recommend this short itinerary:

• Start by traveling to Myitkyina by VIP sleeper bus or direct flight from Mandalay or Yangon.
• Stay at New Light Hotel or hotels near Myitkyina morning market for convenience in exploring the market and finding food.
• Wake up early to visit Myitkyina morning market and taste local fermented fish and fish balls.
• Rent a motorcycle to ride to the source of the Irrawaddy River at Myitsone, stopping at roadside villages to absorb Kachin lifestyle.
• Ask for town and travel route information from the hotel to safely plan visits to other towns in the district.

This trip showed me that Kachin State is more than most tourists know. It is a land full of natural beauty, simple yet profound lifestyles, and fascinating cultural diversity.

If you want details about the journey and experiences I, mr.hotsia, encountered at each spot, you can click to read the storiesTraveling to MyitkyinaandTraveling to Indawgyi Lake, Kachin Statewhich are close to each other and are also very interesting destinations.

Finally, if you are interested in local food, another charm of Kachin State, don’t forget to readKachin Food in Myitkyinawhich I have written in detail with photos of the flavors I have tasted. It will surely make your trip much more complete.

I, mr.hotsia, hope this article inspires everyone to travel and experience the beauty of Kachin State by themselves.