Indawgyi Myanmar 1/46: Thrilling Start to the Exploration Trip in Kachin State, Myanmar

Indawgyi Myanmar 1/46: Thrilling Start to the Exploration Trip in Kachin State, Myanmar

When it comes to adventure travel in Myanmar, Kachin State is one of the destinations that mr.hotsia must say is truly a “thrilling start.” This trip was an extremely challenging exploration filled with unexpected moments right from the first step after landing.

For this trip, I chose to start at the lakeIndawgyi(Indawgyi Lake), the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, located in Kachin State. Although the name is not very familiar to general tourists, it holds a charm and mysterious natural beauty that remains remarkably abundant. Around the lake, there are more than 20 villages where most residents are Tai Red, also known as Shan, as well as Kachin people who still firmly maintain their traditional agricultural lifestyle.

Traveling here is not easy, but that is part of the charm of deep tourism in Myanmar. The atmosphere on the plane before descending to the local airport was a mix of excitement and fear because mr.hotsia experienced the plane suddenly pitching up just as it was about to land, making my heart race and grip the seat tightly – this was truly a “thrilling” start.

Nature and Lifestyle at Indawgyi

Indawgyi Lake is about 166 meters above sea level, approximately 13 kilometers wide and 24 kilometers long. The area around the lake is full of mountains and forests that remain lush. It has also been designated asIndawgyi Wildlife Sanctuarysince 1999 by Myanmar’s Ministry of Ecotourism, covering over 780 square kilometers. It is home to many rare or endangered mammals and bird species.

I rented a boat from a local guesthouse to watch various bird species flying over the water, especially Greylag geese and the pied harrier, which are symbols of this area. The cool breeze and bird songs mixed with the scent of earth and damp leaves made this boat trip a rare moment of peace in the modern world.

Villages and Communities Around the Lake

During the boat trip and walks around the lake, I had the chance to visit Shan and Kachin villages that still live simply. Most villagers practice traditional farming, growing rice and vegetables. I tasted local dishes made from fresh ingredients in the village, with rich and balanced flavors that you cannot find in city restaurants.

The locals here are very friendly and welcoming, speaking some local language and some English. I felt like I had stepped back to a time before the internet or modern technology disturbed life. The simplicity here made mr.hotsia feel happy and fully immersed in learning true culture.

Connecting to the Origin of the Irrawaddy River

From Indawgyi, my next journey headed to the source of the Irrawaddy River, also called “Myitkyina,” where the Mali Hka and N'Mai Hka rivers meet. This place is not far from Indawgyi and is a key route that mr.hotsia highly recommends for nature and history lovers because the Irrawaddy is the main river that sustains life in Myanmar and holds deep cultural significance.

For traveling to Myitkyina, I rented a motorcycle from accommodation in the city for about 350 baht per day. Riding here requires wearing a helmet by local law. The route is a mix of dirt and paved roads, passing interesting small villages to stop at, including chances to taste local food at roadside markets. This is another dimension of travel that mr.hotsia enjoys because it lets you truly feel the local pulse.

This trip is not just about nature but also stories to experience.

Traveling in Kachin State is challenging and not as easy as typical tourist cities. You must be prepared for underdeveloped roads and possible communication difficulties. But what you gain is the feeling of discovering a new world that is still largely untouched.

Myanmar is not just Bagan or Yangon that tourists know well. Kachin State and Indawgyi are another side that mr.hotsia believes adventure and nature lovers will surely fall in love with. For more in-depth stories about Kachin State, you can visitKachin Statewhere I have recorded detailed experiences and travel information.

Anyone planning their next Myanmar trip, don’t forget to set aside time for Indawgyi and Kachin State. It’s guaranteed to be thrilling from the start but exciting and unforgettable.

For a video clip capturing the atmosphere and thrills from the start of the trip, watch hereIndawgyi Myanmar 1/46: Thrilling Start to the Exploration Trip in Kachin State, MyanmarYes