South East Asian Trips

Myitkyina is the capital of the Kachin State in Myanmar (Burma). It is the northern most railway terminal, 919 miles from Yangon(Rangoon), 487 miles from Mandalay, and 26 miles south of "Myit Sone", the confluence of MaiKha and MaliKha Streams.

Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy), the most useful river in Burma has its source from "Myit Sone", and flows 1325 miles from north to south of Burma. The water over here is crystal clear.

Burma's highest snow-capped mountain Khakabo Razi (5881 m) lies in the Putao town, a half hour's flight from Myitkyina.

About 148 km west of Myitkyina, there is a place called "Hpa Kant", which is home to the best jade mines in the world .

Myitkyina and its environs, long-forbidden to foreigners, have recently become newly emerged destinations for international travelers, meaning the whole region with its different indigenous ethnic nationals, and their cultures remain unspoiled, exotic and original.

People can travel to Myitkyina by two and half hour flight from Yangon (via Mandalay) or 24-26 hours by train from Mandalay.

Small, but Diverse and Strong

Although Myitkyina is a small town, it is ethnically diverse. There are different kinds of people: Kachin, Ba Mar, Shan, Li Shu, Chinese, Indian, and others.

People are friendly, and kind. They are living peacefully while exercising their own religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. There are churches, pagodas, and monasteries at many places.

Basically, people open small shops for living. However, jade mining is always a very attractive business for many people. Obviously, many people go to 'Hpa Kant' to do jade business hoping they will get rich quickly. Actually, there are a few people became very rich with jade business. For others, they always have hope.

Recently, discovery of gold near the confluence, Myit Sone, has changed Myitkyina. Not only many local people are flocking to gold mines but also many Chinese businessmen from China, which has border with northern Burma, are pouring into Myitkyina. Therefore, Myitkyina is filled with many new guests who see the opportunities. The effect of the 'gold rush' is that local businesses are getting better than before.

The appearance of private banks, Asia Wealth Bank(AWB), Kan Baw Za Bank (KBZ), and May Flower Bank, in recent years shows the growth of Myitkyina's economy.

Latest Development (Dec, 2003)

Until a couple years ago, it was not easy going to China from Myitkyina by car due to the road condition. Although Myitkyina is pretty close to the border area of China, southwest area of Yunnan province in China, most businessmen from Myanmar have used different route, roads in Shan State, cross the border and go into Yunnan, and huge volume of China products flow into Myanmar from Shan State.

The situation has totally changed these days in Myitkyina. There is a bus station in downtown Myitkyina and many vans(they are called station wagons in US) are sending passengers to the border of China back and forth everyday. The cost of renting a van from Myitkyina to Lisar, the area close to the border of Yunnan is 35,000 Kyats, and 6000 Kyats for each passenger.

It is learnt that it will take only 4-5 hours to border of China when a new road, which is being built and expects to be finished in 2004, is open.

No wonder, there is sign of large amount of China products is rolling into Myitkyina. Today, many roadside sellers, who sell China products, can be seen in many places around the Myitkyina main market. It is said today's China products have better quality, modern designs, and good prices. Finally, folks in Myitkyina are enjoying using China products.