A train passes through the picturesque landscape between Mandalay and Lashio in Shan State. Pic: Douglas Long

LASHIO native U Hla Aye says the town where he was raised has undergone rapid development in the past 20 years and is ripe to become a major tourist destination in Myanmar within the next decade.

“I went back to Lashio for Thadingyut last month and there were lights everywhere, brightening the entire city,” he says enthusiastically as he peruses a recent map of the town.

“It was my first visit in three years, and the town has changed drastically in even that short amount of time,” adds U Hla Aye, who is the managing director of Shan Yoma travel company.

He says that 20 years ago the town was actually divided into two separate districts – Lashio and Lashio Gyi (Big Lashio) – connected by jungle pathways and often kept in the dark by a lack of regular electricity.

His description sounds familiar to me, describing Lashio as it was even 15 years ago when I visited with my mother.

We stayed in a comfortable wooden guesthouse with electricity, but the adjacent houses were lit only by candlelight. There was no nightlife to speak of – none of the pubs, discos or karaoke bars that are now common in developed areas. Just cool, dark and silent nights.

“In recent years Lashio has experienced plenty of economic development,” says U Hla Aye. “It is an important trading centre along the Muse-Lashio-Mandalay road. It is very busy now.”

Along with this economic boom has come an increase in accessibility, an essential ingredient in the development of tourism.

“The town has great access for transportation and it is very safe for travellers,” says U Hla Aye. “It is also on the GSM phone network, and the Shweli hydropower project, when completed, will supply Lashio with 24-hour electricity.”

He also quickly rattles off a list of sites that could draw tourists to the region: Yay-kan-taung recreation park; Taung Paw Paya (Hilly Pagoda), which offers a panoramic view of the city; Mansu Paya and Mee Paya, located on about 1 mile outside of town; Quan Yin San Chinese Temple; and the morning and evening markets.

“Tourists can also visit hot springs just outside of town, and Mansan Yay-kya waterfall between Hsipaw and Lashio is a nice spot for picnics,” he says.
“The Sri Shiva Hindu Temple is also in Lashio, which celebrates an annual Hindu festival in March that attracts devotees from across Myanmar.”

U Hla Aye says that stakeholders in Myanmar’s travel industry should act now to invest in the tourism business in Lashio.

“Tour operators should start arranging tour programs or packages that include Lashio, even if it is only a day-return trekking tour around the town,” he says.

“Lashio still needs to establish more tourist-standard hotels and hygienic restrooms in the restaurants, but I think it will really take off as a tourist destination in the next five to 10 years,” he adds.

Lashio is accessible by train from Mandalay, or by air conditioned bus from Yangon. The 20-hour bus ride costs about K15,000 to K17,000 one way.
Air Bagan also offers flights between Yangon and Lashio during some periods throughout the year.