Getting to Hsipaw is part of the fun; follow a snaking road that climbs higher and higher into the mountains. Pine trees start to take over the lowland deciduous revealing a land of spectacular vistas of deep ravines and knife-edge ridgelines and you pass Shan, Palaung, Lisu and Gurkha villages. Drop into Hsipaw and you’ll find a languid riverside town that still retains its genuine Shan character and is home to one of the country’s best markets.

Your Walking Adventure Awaits

It’s no surprise to learn that those adventurous enough to venture here are drawn by the scenery and the chance to take to the walking trails whilst enjoying the slow pace of rural life. The walk with a private local guide allows you to not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but scratch under the surface and learn more of the history and culture of the tribal villages you’ll pass through. Those happy to include a simple homestay will get the most from this experience. As tourism is just taking off here you’ll find the treks far more authentic than those enjoyed anywhere else easily accessed in the region.

Or Let the Boat Take the Strain

If you’d preferred a more relaxed morning’s activity you can enjoy a half-day boat trip on the Dokhtawady River that gentling floats by monasteries, pineapple plantations, fields, forests and can be combined with a short walk in the countryside passing through farming communities.