Two Nights Stop Three Days Trekking On Shan Plateau

“I love to go a wandering along the mountain track, and as I go, I love to sing beneath the clear blue sky, Valere, Valera ….”

I used to sing this song when I was a young boy in missionary school during British colonized Myanmar. At that time I was too young to accompany the teachers for a trekking on the high mountain. I was dreaming about the wonderful enjoyable times walking on the Shan mountain ranges.

My wish fulfilled when I was grown up. Here, the Shan plateau is round about 3000 feet (1000 meters) high above the sea level and the weather in Shan State is invigorative climate for the visitors. Kalaw which is touristic place in Shan State perched on western rim of the Shan plateau; it was once a favourite hill station retreat for the British officials during the hot season.

Now the peaceful town is nestling surrounded by pine wood and it is an ideal starting point for trekking to pass through the villages of Pa-oh, Taung Yoe, Dhanu and Inthas. All of the hill tribes inhabited along the track of the Shan hilly region. There are round about 33 tribal groups inhabited on the Shan plateau and they speak their own dialects. All of those tribes have their own culture and costume. Burmese is a common language to communicate each other. Although they have their own culture and custom, all of the tribal groups are harmony because all of those believe in Buddhism. The trekking starts from the southern part of the town it takes about seven hours to get to Nan-tha-le-the which is Pa-oh, village where the visitors can stay overnight in the monastery as a traditional way of sleeping bed in a big cozy room. There is a strolling in the village, looking enjoyable their ways of lives as the farmers return to their residence riding on the back of their water buffaloes in the gorgeous sunset view on the mountain ranges.

The houses with a window in particularly constructed as houses climbing the hill is tremendously pleased and gave as a picturesque painting hanging under the blue sky. The next morning is the second day which is the most enjoyable time for the visitors passing through on the beautiful landscape of the colourful fields such as yellow, green, brown, white, of sesames, ginger and other crop at both sides of the track winding up the hill. The long narrow way takes you through a region of such a great scenic beauty of canyons and mountains lower slopes. The visitor could be able to get extreme satisfaction as walking beside of the cabbage fields, reddish cayenne plantations on the hill. Some tall big banyan trees are grown up on the hill top providing a good shade for the travelers. At noon time, there is a quiet small village named Khong Hla which is located beyond the cluster of the bamboo plants. It is such a great scenic beauty at dotting with more white pagoda and houses where the visitors could have a lunch and taking a rest. After relaxation the visitors start to proceed at one o’clock at noon time and walk another four hours to get to the second destination village named Htee-Thein, where visitors could stay overnight in that old monastery.

Watching the gorgeous sunset view from that monastery to the panoramic site of the western rim is fabulous and romantic. The villages are very busy like bees, such as weaving the bamboo sheets making baskets, the land under the plough, some women are husking near their house, and men are snaring the fowls for their dinner. All of the scenic are active and spectacular in the visual sight.

The chief monk from that monastery cordially welcomes to the visitors and is very hospitable. As a final day, the visitors have to walk to seven hours to get to Inle Lake which is the area’s main attraction for visitor. A few hours later the visitors get a cool shade of the cluster of tall banyan trees near a little pond where the children near by used to swim as a fun in this region.

It is the ideal starting point for the visitors to proceed to Inle Lake. You will be tremendously pleased looking at the panoramic tranquil water of Inle Lake located on Shan plateau between the hazy mountain ranges. Along the way you will hear the music of water fall and enjoy looking at the wild local orchid growing on the tall trees till you get to the foot of the mountain. Along the way to jetty, they have developed an amazing culture as their farming and fishing skill attest, and their additional talents as blacksmith, carpenters and weavers. At noon time the visitors will get to Than-Thaung jetty and the boat service is ready to take you to the hotel.

On your way to the hotel, you’ll feel extremely satisfy on your trekking and everything is still in vivid till you get to your home. November, December and January are the best season for trekking in Shan State.

By: Saw Pyi Soe (alias) Mr. Lionel
Tour Guide
Shan State
Myanmar