At the time of writting, Kengtung was only accessible by air or on foot through the Tachilek border of Thailand, which explaining its isolated nature hosts a collection of temples and monasteries as well as nicely-preserved and genuine customs of local tribes.
Give your spirits a boost by a day's trekking in the peaceful countryside filled with rice fields and call it a day by raising up the hills to visit an Akha tribe in its purest forms.
Things to do:
- Trekking
- Home to a myriad of ethnic tribes of the likes of Akha, Palaung,Khun, Wa, Shan and Lahu villages, Shan hills encircling Kentung gifts you some of the best trekking opportunities.
- Visit monasteries and Temples
- Due to the influences of its nearby neighboring nations, the monasteries and temples of Kentung are different in style and built to any any other temples seen in Myanmar echoing a mix of Shan, Thai, Burmese and Chinese touches.
- Experience the local culture of Kengtung
- Inhabited by locals who are proud of their inheritance of Temples and Monastries yet not proud enough to pass without welcoming visitors to share a cup of local tea over a friendly chit chat. Due to its isolated geography, you will witness well-preserbed, virgin customs and culture of the local tribes. To catch a glimpse of a gathering of tribes men and women selling their home grown goods, remember not to miss a stoll to the town's central market in the early morning.
- Visit Naung Tung Lake
- A perfect spot to take in the ambaince of this laid back town, while sipping a cup of tea at one of the many tea shops set around buildings relating to colonial architecture.
Crossing into Thailand
To cross over to Thailand you can take a four hour ride over bumpy roads form Kentung to Mae Sai in Thailand via Tachilek. From there you can go to Laos on a boat ride down Mekong River to Luang Prabang in Laos.
Places nearby:
- Nawngkeng
- Wan Hwe-hpun
- Hwe-hpun
