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Shan State is the largest administrative region in Myanmar and with its location in the east of the country borders the neighbouring nations of China, Thailand and Laos. Predominately rural, life in Shan State is slow paced – a largely sleepy, sedate region in direct contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life in Mandalay and Bagan. 

Best time to visit

Shan State is the appropriate and best place to visit in Mid-March and June. Therefore, it is very convenient to visit southern Shan states, Taunggyi, the capital of southern state during Mid- March, and Mid-June and it is famous for its fabulous mountains, where people can enjoy the hot air ballroom festivals, Shan traditional foods and cultural, heritages in Taunggyi. Another one is Hsi paw which located in Northern Shan state and people can see the loyal palace of Shan regime with the relaxing times and weathers.

Check the below table for the general idea of Shan State weather throughout the year.

Month Avg. High (°C) Avg. Mean (°C) Avg. Low (°C)
Jan 24.1 17.9 9.9
Feb 26.7 20.2 10.5
Mar 28.7 22.9 14.5
Apr 29.8 24.2 17.1
May 27.7 23.2 18.1
Jun 25.5 22.2 18.7
Jul 24.3 21.4 18.4
Aug 24.1 21.2 18.4
Sep 25.3 21.7 18.1
Oct 25.3 21.1 16.4
Nov 25.6 20.4 14.1
Dec 23.8 18.1 10.9

Shan State's current weather and 7-day forecast

SHAN STATE WEATHER

Shan State’s beautiful bucolic scenery attracts visitors from all over Myanmar and the wider world. Here are our must-see sights.

Kalaw

It is about 7 hour-driving from Yangon. It was once a favored get-away of the colonial era. The trace of this era still exists in the architecture of this mountainous holiday resort area. Kalaw is an ideal destination for hiking and trekking due to immense pine forests.

Pindaya

Pindayya is about 45-minute drive from Kalaw. With magnificent caves, it is one of the greatest destinations in Shan State. In these caves, you will be surrounded by hundreds of ancient stupas. The cave is the pilgrimage destination for thousand people each year. It is one the signature sight of Pindaya that you can’t miss on your vacation in the Shan state.

Inle Lake

Inle Lake is the essential destination of any Myanmar trip. It is hard to resist its charm and incredible landscape. It stands out from other destinations for the unique lifestyle of Shan people. Here you can visit the floating villages and spend the last hours of the daytime to watch the incredible sunset.

Click here to get more information about Inle Lake

Taunggyi

Taunggyi is the capital of Shan state. The city is blessed with cool weather and a peaceful atmosphere, which makes a favorable place to live. Taunggy is busiest during the festival season. The city annually holds a hot-balloon festival in every November. It is also one of the musts to visit pagodas in Taunggyi. To enjoy the culture, you should visit the famous local market where you can find a lot of unique items embedded with the distinctive culture feature of the local people.

Click here to get more information about Taunggyi

Kakku

The pagoda complex at Kakku is a centre of worship for the Pa-O people and features thousands of closely-packed stupas in a small area, all with tinkling bells on top – making for an enchanting atmosphere. Unfortunately, many of the structures have been insensitively restored, using concrete instead of traditional brickwork – but the setting remains an impressive one.

Behind the pagodas to the east, you will find a lovely rural scene, with the Shan hills stretching out into the distance and a small river in which you can take a swim. Kakku is one and half hours south of Taunggyi on the road to Loikaw.
The Kakku pagoda festival is held on the Full Moon of Tabaung (usually February or March). During the festival, the Pa-O pay homage by wearing their finest ethnic clothing and by decorating their prize bullocks. For exact dates, see our festivals calendar.

Hsipaw

It is a miss not to mention Hsipaw on this list. Hsipaw is a worth-visiting destination with full of surprise. Owning a wonderful landscape, it is one of the greatest places for trekking and hiking. And it is also a promising destination for having one of the most beautiful train tracks in the world.

Kyaing Tong (Khengtung)

Khengtung, hidden in concealing mountain valleys of Shan State, lies close to the Thai border and forms part of the Golden Triangle, a picturesque region of green rice paddies. Maymyo, Kalaw, Ngapali – the British definitely knew where to find the nicest spots during their colonial regime… During this time they built the town around the picturesque Naung Tong Lake, near the Pyin Monastery. There are not only wonderful temples, monasteries and old catholic churches to be marvelled at, but hiking to the nearby Akha, An, Lahu or Lisu villages that will bring you back into ancient Asian times…

Goitek Viaduct

For train enthusiasts, traversing the Goitek Viaduct is arguably the most exhilarating rail journey in South East Asia. Boarding in Pyin Oo Lwin, the train rumbles through northern Shan and midway to Hsipaw crosses the 870ft deep gorge at Goitek. Completed in 1901, the viaduct was the longest railway trestle in the world and to this day remains the highest bridge in Myanmar with the track bed towering over 100 metres above the gorge below.

There are several options to stay overnight in the Shan State surrounds. Here are some of our suggestions to make it easier for you to choose your accommodation:

Budget hotel

Mother's Home Hotel 

Located within 1.1 km of Mingala Market and 5 km of Red Mountain Estate Vineyards, Mother's Home Hotel provides rooms in Nyaung Shwe. Great room, comfy bed, private balcony with a good sunset view. Staff is helpful and kind.

Silver Lake Hotel 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 1.7 km from Mingala Market, Silver Lake Hotel offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, free bikes and a garden.

Primrose Hotel 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 800 metres from Mingala Market, Primrose Hotel offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. 

Mid-range hotel

Inle Strand Hotel 

Located in Nyaung Shwe, 700 metres from Mingala Market, Inle Strand Hotel provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a terrace. This hotel is a must go in the city! Very quiet, big room, comfortable bed, perfect breakfast, you can have pancakes, fruit, omelette, all delicious, very friendly and helpful staff.

Immana Grand Inle Hotel 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 700 metres from Mingala Market, Immana Grand Inle Hotel offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a garden. clean clean super clean. Small but good enough swimming pool. Good breakfast. rental free bicycle.

Spring Lodge Inle 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 1.2 km from Mingala Market, Spring Lodge Inle offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. Staff was amazing, very clean and comfortable, excellent price!

Inle Cottage Boutique Hotel 

Located in Nyaung Shwe, 1.1 km from Mingala Market, Inle Cottage Boutique Hotel provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, free bikes and a bar. All staffs are very kind. Night market is close by. 

Kumudra Hill - Mountain View 

Featuring free WiFi, a whirlpool tub and an outdoor pool, Kumudra Hill - Mountain View offers accommodation in Hsipaw. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. 

Deluxe Hotel

Amazing Inlay Resort 

Located in Nyaung Shwe, 12 km from Maing Thauk Bridge, Amazing Inlay Resort provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. Very nice hotel for reasonable price. Very clean rooms, nice pool area, helpful staff. And also, it is very quiet, which is quite important when you are in Myanmar.

Myanmar Treasure Resorts Inle 

Situated along the north-eastern edge of Inle Lake, Myanmar Treasure Resorts Inle offers peaceful accommodation and views of the lake. Free WiFi is available. Wonderful service, fantastic views, good local and western food.

Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min 

Located on the beautiful and peaceful Inle Lake in Myanmar, Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min offers accommodation with lake, garden or hill views. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the resort.

The spacious suites and villas features a contemporary style with a touch of traditional Myanmar. Each comes with a private balcony along with separate living room, and en-suite bathroom with shower and bathtub. All rooms are fully-equipped

Luxury Hotel

Sanctum Inle Resort 

Set in Nyaung Shwe, 1.3 km from Maing Thauk Bridge, Sanctum Inle Resort features free bikes and a garden. The property is located 8 km from Red Mountain Estate Vineyards and 10 km from Mingala Market. The restaurant serves local and international cuisine. Every room includes a private bathroom with a bath and all rooms come with a balcony. Guests can relax at the spa or work out at the fitness centre.

Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle

Offering villa-style rooms that are over the water or near it, Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle is next to Inle Lake and south of Nyaung Shwe.

Air-conditioned accommodation features a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a safety deposit. There is also a balcony with lake or mountain views. A shower, bathtub, slippers and free toiletries can be found in the en suite bathroom.

Every Asian country is known to have its own delicious cuisine but on looking carefully, one would find that within a country itself various regions and states have their own typical variations of cuisine.

Along the same lines, the Shan state of Myanmar has a distinct set of dishes which have been perfected over 100 of years by using the local products of the state.

Here are the most popular and authentic Shan State dishes:

Shan Noodles (Shan-Khow suey) 

It’s one of the most popular dishes in Myanmar and one can get it very easily in every tea shop and restaurant.
Shan noodles are served either as a soup or as a salad, with sautéed tomato and peanuts as topping. The noodles used for the soup are flat rice noodles and for the salad are round rice noodles. One can either choose vegetarian noodles or with shredded chicken.

It’s very delicious with the taste of tanginess. 

Chickpea tofu soup (Tofu Nway) 

The rich thick tofu soup or chickpea gravy noodle is prepared by mixing soft creamy tofu paste with rice noodles and served with garnishing like sesame seeds, garlic oil and spring onions.

Tofu nway is usually preferred for breakfast in Shan State but one can enjoy it at any time of the day. Due to the tofu paste, it is a filling and satisfying meal.

Shan Yellow Rice cake with tomato sauce (Shan-Htamin) 

It’s made using steam Shan sticky rice with turmeric. It is usually served as a round cake, with a garnishing of sautéed tomato and fried garlic will be on top of the cake.

Variations of this dish are made by using different toppings like shredded chicken, dried chilly fried, coriander leaves and cloves of raw garlic.

This dish can be eaten either as a meal or as a snack.

Shan fish rice (Nga-Htamin)

This dish is a mix of steamed Shan rice, shreds of cooked fish and garlic oil.  It served as a ball of the mix, with a topping of crispy fried noodle flakes, spring onions and fried dried chilly.

All Shan dishes are served with Monnyinchin (pickled mustard greens) on the side and a small bowl of soup.

Meat ball noodles

It’s a soup type noodle dish with different meat balls as per your choice. There are beef meat balls, chicken meat balls and pork meat balls. Although the noodle soup is a little bland in taste but the meat balls enhance the taste and make it super delicious.Shan state dishes are most commonly prepared with thin, flat rice noodles with chicken or pork, garnished with garlic oil and toasted dried chilly. They are served with a side of pickled vegetables.

Shan State can be reached by road or air. The most convenient way is to fly from Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay to Heho and then take a transfer to Shan State. You can refer to the information below:

Yangon to Shan State

The best way to get from Yangon to Shan State is to fly which takes 3h 26m including transfers and costs $85 - $170. 

Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $25 - $40 and takes 11h 14m.

The driving distance between Yangon to Shan State is 646 km. It takes approximately 7h 35m to drive from Yangon to Shan State.

Bagan to Shan State

The best way to get from Bagan to Shan State is to fly which takes 1h 14m including transfers and costs $70 - $130. 

Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $23 - $26 and takes 9h 59m.

The driving distance between Bagan to Shan State is 332 km. It takes approximately 4h 57m to drive from Bagan to Shan State.

Mandalay to Shan State

The best way to get from Mandalay to Shan State is to fly which takes 1h 21m including transfers and costs $95 - $160. 

Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $14 - $20 and takes 8h 6m.

The driving distance between Mandalay to Shan State is 323 km. It takes approximately 4h 7m to drive from Mandalay to Shan State.

Contact us for the latest flight schedule and price. Or you can check via some online platform such as SkyScanner.com or Kayak.com

Here you can find some tips to book the cheapest flight

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

TOUR PACKAGES INCLUDING "Shan State"

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Trek & Hike / 10 days / fr. $1,360

This trek throughout the Shan Plateau is a once in a lifetime opportunity to discover remote ethnic tribes, nature and historical monuments of Shan State. Covering the loop of the beautiful Inle La... More

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Myanmar BLOG ARTICLES

Taking a cruise on the fascinating Mekong River offers a unique and memorable travel experience. The Mekong River, one of the longest rivers in Asia, flows through several countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Each destination along the river offers its own distinct cultural, historical, and natural attractions. In this article, we will go over what you can expect when cruising the Mekong River. 

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The “unlocking” statuses vary widely. Travelers entering Asian countries may be required to do everything from going into quarantine, submitting negative COVID-19 test results, presenting proof of health insurance, and proof of vaccination (known a vaccine passports).

There is an understandable uncertainty with how you should travel to the Asian region if you are planning to. This is why we present you the list of 19 Asian countries, along with details on the current travel situation. As each country applies precisely defined regulations, you should always check the official websites listed in the article below for the latest government announcements.

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