Early in the morning i am arriving in Lashio at 6.00 with the Express night bus… My intention is to be spending here a day before i get on board the train to Hsipaw, which is a hiking paradise… Lashio is located in North East of Shan State… One of the 3 main cities in Shan State… After checking in the hostel it is time to make myself ready for a hike trough Lashio.. Temperature in this area is wonderful, between 25-30*C feels as a warm touching hand on the skin…
Lashio has the all day market which is a pleasure to take a look at.. Making my trip through the city.. Gives me the opportunity to meet some amazing people. One of them is an older man who has been a teacher British English… He kindly shares some information about where can eat one of the best Shan foods here for a low price.. He even guides me to the place in Lashio…Arriving there it is time to take lunch and taste the delicious Shan Foods… Price 2500 Kyat including free thee… It is very casual here to serve the Myanmar thee for free.. This displays the kindness of the people living here… After thee with lunch its time for me to continue my walk..
Friendly people here, they wave and greet all the time. Frequently People inform where i come from.. During the trip i also make my way to the railway station and inform about a train ticket to Hsipaw, for departure on the next day.. The railroad officer at the desk explains me that the train will leave at 5 in the morning and one Upper-class ticket will be 1650 Kyat for the 7 hour trip to Hsipaw.. During my walk i enjoy the view around the city. This area is really beautiful!. Impressive are the mountains that surround this city. While i enter a path upwards the hill, it feels fantastic to take a closer view over Lashio…
Meanwhile the sunset has started and opportunity is there to make some great sunset photos… It fun to see the sun moving down the mountains, however temperature drops also quickly here.. Means it is time for me to go the hotel and sleep early… The next day at 4 in morning i have to wake up again.. The helpful staff in the hotel informs me that the moped driver will take me to the Lashio railway station… Opening my eyes in the morning and making me ready to go on way to the railway station..
The driver is at the hotel sleeping, however wakes up quickly and after 15 minutes we ready to go… On the back of the moped its only a 10 minute trip to the station… Half hour before departure the tickets are sold so i am right on time.. The train will departure from here for a 17 hour trip to Mandalay… However my first destination is Hsipaw.. Lashio is the start and end station of the Myanmar rail, since 1903.. The rail and railway station is from that time period..
Though the Steam locomotives have been replaced by the diesel trains, here the railroad track between Lashio and Hsipaw is still a single track all the way to Mandalay. Getting seated in the upper-class seats, they are bit more comfortable then the seats in the ordinary class… In the train several people offer their products for sale. Small dry foods and drinks.. One of the sellers borrows me a blanket to protect me from the early morning cold.. however In few hours it will be 25*c…
The view from the slowly moving train is amazing.. This undiscovered country always to draws a positive impressive picture.. The villages near the track are small, with wooden buildings as a living place.. Sometimes the train slows down even more, then keeps slowly rolling while people jump-up the train.. People in the train are very friendly, polite asking about my country, origin and destination.. Giving tips what to view in Hsipaw.. then 5 hours later full of impressions of the beautiful landscape, i arrive in Hsipaw.. It is still early in morning time for me to head to the guesthouse…
Read more about My stay at Hsipaw in the next post & page Trekking in Hsipaw …
Stop acting start living!! Enjoy your day!!
Active in Hsipaw: Trekking in Hsipaw
More to discover In Hsipaw: Trekking to the Waterfall in Hsipaw
Myanmar Kachin State: Myanmar Myitkyina Kachin State
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