Hakha City

Hakha City: A cool highland town on the mountain peaks of Chin State in Myanmar

I, mr.hotsia, recently had the opportunity to visitHakha City(Hakha), the capital ofChin Statein Myanmar, located at an altitude of over 1,800 meters above sea level, with the highest mountains in the area reaching up to 2,300 meters. For those who enjoy cool weather and want to experience the natural beauty on mountain peaks, Hakha City is a destination not to be missed.

I traveled there in April. The temperature was still comfortably cool at only 15 degrees Celsius, quite pleasant and not hot at all, unlike other cities in Myanmar which are hot and humid. Although it was not the full winter season, you could still feel the freshness of the mountains and the pure air. Hakha City is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Myanmar because its high location offers surrounding views full of steep mountains and mist during the winter.

Lifestyle and Culture of the Chin People in Hakha

Most of the people in Hakha are of the Chin ethnic group, which includes several subgroups such as the Sakna people. I had the chance to talk with locals through someone who speaks Thai. They told me that the Chin people originated from Tibet, migrating through Mizina and settling in present-day Chin State. Interestingly, although they are related, the Chin and Kachin people have different spoken languages that make communication difficult. Similarly, the Chin people in Hakha have trouble communicating with the Sakna people in Chin Village, Yakhai.

The Chin people in Hakha mostly practice Christianity. I observed that every Sunday, people attend church together. There are no vehicles running to Kalay City on Sundays, so I had to plan my return to Kalay on Monday instead.

Local Food I Won't Forget

Speaking of food, I must say that the Chin cuisine in Hakha is distinctly different from typical Burmese food. I tried boiled offal with corn made by the locals, which tasted very good without any unpleasant smell. There was also a sour and salty pickled mustard green soup, a local delicacy that I really liked. Additionally, the town offers both Burmese and Chin dishes to try.

Food and goods here are quite expensive because most are imported from Mandalay, making prices higher than elsewhere. For example, the shampoo I bought cost twice as much as in Thailand. However, one thing that is very cheap is rice; you can buy a large pot of rice for only 30 baht. I think this is interesting for travelers who want to experience the real life of the locals.

Old Houses and Chin Architecture

One of the activities I was very impressed with was visitingold Chin houses in Hakha Citywhich are wooden stilt houses beautifully carved with patterns on the walls and doors. These traditional houses have only one bedroom where parents, children, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law sleep together, with a central stove to keep warm during the harsh winter when temperatures drop to -8 degrees Celsius. I deeply felt the simplicity and warmth of life here.

Another interesting feature is that old Chin houses often have an extension for nighttime urination, showing true adaptation to the environment. These houses are also located near the town center and can be visited by walking or renting a motorcycle.

Markets and Activities in Hakha City

The morning market here is not very large. Overall, the market atmosphere is still quiet and quite dusty. This is something I noticed and want to advise tourists to prepare for. The main activities for tourists visiting Hakha are to go up to see the mountain views, visit old houses, and try delicious local foods eaten by the Chin people.

Another popular attraction is the strawberry garden that local youth like to visit. They even have strawberry wine to drink. I plan to try it tomorrow. If anyone is interested, you can readthe story of Hakha's strawberry gardenthat I have written before.

Getting to Hakha City

There are two main routes to Hakha City. The first is traveling from Mandalay in the south, which takes no less than 15 hours. The other route is from Kalay City; if traveling from Mandalay via Monywa to Kalay, it takes almost a full day plus another 12 hours by car to reach Hakha.

I recommend flying to Kalay and then taking a car to Hakha as it is more convenient because land travel is difficult and time-consuming. Hakha is currently building an airport, but it will take several years to complete. Once finished, it will be an important connection point allowing Thai travelers to fly from Mandalay or Yangon to Hakha more easily. If you want to see snow, come in early January, which is the time when it snows every year.

Accommodation and Comfort in Hakha City

Hakha has about two small hotels, which are guesthouses with reasonable prices. Room rates are around 500-800 baht per night. Rooms have private bathrooms and do not require air conditioning because the weather is cool year-round. There is no motorcycle rental service here, but hotels may help arrange some.

Challenges of Hakha City

One issue the people of Hakha face is insufficient clean water. Locals have to buy water at 10 baht per container for daily use. Some households have to drill wells, which costs tens of thousands of baht. This is a reality I witnessed and discussed with locals, showing another side of life that tourists should be aware of.

Summary of Impressions from mr.hotsia

Hakha City has a unique charm with cool weather, high mountain views, and the traditional culture of the Chin people well preserved. I, mr.hotsia, was impressed by the simplicity and warmth of the people here. Despite challenges in travel and daily life, Hakha is an interesting destination for travelers seeking to experience nature and diverse culture in Myanmar.

If you are interested in more travel details, you can read the articleTraveling to Hakha CityAnd if you want to deeply experience the Chin way of life, don't forget to visitold Chin houses in Hakha Citytoo.