Discover Myanmar’s fascinating tribal villages and ancient ethnic minorities
Kengtung is a small, sleepy little backwater town tucked away in the far east of the Shan state. The town is close to the infamous area known as The Golden Triangle, once famed for its opium smuggling and production. It’s also close to both Laos and Thailand and has more cultural affiliation with its two neighbours than the rest of Myanmar. Add to this the fact that it’s cut off from the rest of the country by a mountain range and you have a place that has a unique identity all of its own.
A visit here offers a truly unspoiled glimpse at an area forgotten by the rest of the world. If you like walking, you’ll really enjoy exploring the lakes, villages and hillsides on foot, meeting friendly local tribespeople along the way. The main focus on a visit to Kengtung is the authentic tribal villages and ethnic minorities that inhabit the surrounding hills. A wander around the town is itself a great way to take in the crumbling colonial architecture and a stroll around the lake is popular in the morning or early evening. A trip to the daily market is a great way to see the hustle and bustle of rural life, with all the various ethnic minorities travelling into town to sell their various wares and buy supplies not readily available in the countryside.