Kyaing Tong (Keng Tung),
the capital of Golden Triangle
 Kyaing
Tong has been the seat of powerful Shan
(Siamese) kingdom founded around 1243AD,
with its approximate number of 45 Sao Bwas
(Shan Chieftains) rulers. Its deliberate
location among four nations - Laos, Thailand,
Myanmar, and China make extremely important
in terms of either geopolitics or military
tactics. This area is internationally recognized
as infamous Golden Triangle for the opium
trades until recent years before the painful
efforts to crackdown the planting and trafficking
of opium & heroines by the Myanmar military
with the help of international community.
After a long closed period following the
narcotic trades and insurgent legacies,
the trading business thrives again between
four nations, where Kyaing Tong serves as
a hub, and thus it should rightfully called
the capital of Golden Quadrangle. And it’s
challenging position of begin one of the
most scenic regions in Shan State that rivals
to Inle Lake, Kalaw, and Pindaya of nation’s
tourist incentive sites, Kyaing Tong is
now ready to serve as a new face in the
Myanmar tourism. For most of the people,
the main reason to visit Kyaing Tong area
is to explore the villages of colorful ethnic
tribes mostly living on the steep slopes
of the foothills of Himalaya. The trekking
trips can be rated from easy to moderate
and the minimum stay should be at least
two nights, by using Kyaing Tong as your
base. Currently overnight stays at the tribe
villages is not allowed.
 Kyaing
Tong lies in a valley at the elevation of
785m surrounded by the peaks higher than
1600m, offers stunning scenic beauties with
the picturesque mountain backdrops, aging
Buddhist monasteries that pronounced “Wats”
locally & colonial era houses encircled
to the legendary Naung Tong Lake. While
Kyaing Tong & the immediate plains flourishes
the Khün culture, which is pretty much like
a long forgotten corner of northern Thailand,
the nearby hills are inhabited with diverse
but colorful ethnic-minority villages of
Wa, Akha, Lahu, Loi, Akhi, Palaung, Li,
Gon, Eng and such. Virtually Kyaing Tong
can be reached by road via Taunggyi (Inle
Lake) – a three day drive for 452km on the
hilly road passing scenic villages, and
beautiful vistas is somehow considered unsafe
for the visitors and thus government is
banned until now. It is possible to enter
Myanmar overland from Thaichileik / Maesai
border crossing with prior arrangements,
and 176km drive to Keng Tong. There is no
other way to get there from any of Myanmar
cities but to fly from Yangon, Mandalay,
and Heho (Inle Lake). Recently there are
daily flights on Air Mandalay, Air Bagan,
and Yangon Airways.
Highlights
Kyaing Tong In-City
Highlight
The Central Market
 The
central Market is an excellent spot for
an interesting morning tour to see colorful
ethnic tribes come to exchange goods from
their home in the surrounding hills. The
imported commodities from China and Thailand
are also cheap here. The most appealing
shopping items may be woven fabrics of ethnic
minorities, the headdress of Akhar tribe,
utensils made out of bamboo, and many other
locally produced souvenirs. There are different
types of local foods to savor… including
yummy beef ball & rice noodle soup, to sticky
rice & fried fish and hot English tea and
Indian-style pastas. It is an enjoyable
to stroll around the bustling market, not
for just one time but should be visited
for every morning while you are in Keng
Tung.
Buffalo Market
Another place of interest on the western
end of the town is (water) buffalo market,
which held twice a week in an open-air lot.
Learn what the basic features of a good
buffalo are and how a price is set, while
the men curiously grilling these animals
before making up their buying decision.
Religious sites
 There
are over thirty monasteries (pronounced
Wat in Khün language) in Kengtung. Among
them, Wat Jong Kham (dated to 13th century)
and Wat In are two most impressive in the
architectural style closer to Laotian and
Thai temples. The interior walls are painted
red and gilded scenes of the Buddha Life-stories
written in old Gon Shan language, and huge
ancient Buddha images at one end. The city
center features striking 19th century Wat
Pha Jao Lung or Maha Myatmuni Mandalay Style
Buddha image. A number of catholic churches,
dated from British era, can also be seen,
including Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) and
Immaculate Heart Cathedral.
Other Places
The big Naung Tong Lake, which is relating
to the foundation of Keng Tung, in the city
center is a scenic spot and best for the
evening strolls. The teashops on the street
that rimmed the lake serve good tea and
fried fritters. The Lone Tree Hill, where
245-years old Kanyin-byu (Diptero carpus
Spp) still stands, that planted by King
Alaungpaya, the founder of third Burmese
empire, on his march to Thailand in the
18th century, provides some bird-eye views
of the city and surrounding Keng Tung plains.
The fading tradition of making Shan-style
lacquerware can be seen at U Mu Ling Ta
workshop, where the decedents of U Mu Ling
Ta reveal the secrets of gilded relief work.
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