Northern Shan State

Northern Shan state highlights (the must-do’s)

Shan village walk

Easy, guided 2.5 hour walk through a panoramic scenery of paddy fields and other seasonal crops passing small creeks, Shan villages and local schools and monasteries. The guide will explain in detail about Shan life around Hsipaw and show you some home industries like cheroot (cigar) rolling and bamboo weaving.

Living the royal history in a former Shan Kingdom

Visit Baw Gyo pagoda where the royal family’s Buddha statue is currently situated. Hop on the boat for a trip on the Dokthawaddy River and visit a traditional, car-free Shan village for to taste the excellent tea leaves salad from this region. Enjoy a traditional Shan lunch and visit a monastery built by a Shan prince.

Train ride over Gokteik Viaduct

Enjoy a wonderful train journey through the Shan mountains crossing the mighty Gokteik Viaduct which was constructed in 1901 by the Pennsylvania Steel company and was once the second highest railway bridge in the world. Through spectacular mountain scenery the train will slowly move forward over the old railway track passing small villages and towns where vendors will enter the train to sell drinks and local snacks.

A walk through the fields visiting Palaung tribal villages

One of the most colourful tribes in Shan State are certainly the Palaung people who are famous for their high quality tea plantations. During this full day walk through tea plantations, colourful fields and forest, we visit several villages and have a simple home cooked typical Palaung lunch in a traditional village.

Botanical gardens and a high tea

A walk through the fields visiting Palaung tribal villages

Your guide will pick you up by horse carriage for a short ride to the beautiful botanical gardens to enjoy a stroll around this park which has hundreds of different flowers, plants and butterflies. Continue to discover more of the colonial buildings that this former British hill station is famous for. We visit the market, the Anglican Church and stop at a local coffee plantation. High tea is taken at the colonial Club Terrace.

Northern Shan State