Lashio

Lashio is a town of 131,000 people (2009) on a low mountain spur overlooking the valley of the Yaw River in Shan State, Myanmar.

Understand
During World War II it was a stop on the Burma Road. Today it is a mercantile town that is mostly avoided by tourists except the few who make it across from China. Lashio is important for border trade between Myanmar and China.

Climate
Lashio receives heavy rains from May to October. Temperatures are generally warm throughout the year, though nights are cool from December to March.

Get in
It is 190 kilometres (120 mi) from Muse, midway between Muse and Mandalay.

The Burmese part of the Burma Road is short (Ruili border to Lashio) and can be traversed only one way (Ruili to Lashio) and only under escort.
 * By train from Mandalay: departures daily at 04:45. Travel time: 13.5 hours. Price: US$12. The scenic Goteik viaduct is near Lashio and trains travelling from Mandalay pass over the bridge, which is the highest bridge in Myanmar.
 * By bus from Inle Lake – 15,000 kyat.
 * By bus from Inle Lake – 15,000 kyat.

See

 * Kwan Yin San Temple
 * Thathana Hnahtaung Nga Pagoda
 * Man Su Pagoda
 * Sarsana mission
 * Pawdaw-mu pagoda
 * Myo U Zedi

Religious sites include the Sasana (Pyilon Chanta) Pagoda and the Mansu Pagoda. O

Do

 * Lashio Hot Spa
 * Yepusan spa is nearly 8 km away from the city center.
 * Peikchinmyaing caves

Go next
China