Page 275 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

KENGTUNG INLE LAKE AND THE EAST 273
case), with a few moth-eaten exhibits including costumes from all the main
ethnic-minority peoples hereabouts, along with assorted beads, necklaces and
farming equipment.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE KENGTUNG
Foreigners are prohibited from travelling overland between Taunggyi and Kengtung by bus or any other form of
unlicensed transport, meaning your only options are to fly or to arrange the trip using a licensed government guide and
transport – for which you won’t get much change out of $1000. Foreigners are, however, permitted to take the bus 6
between Kengtung and Tachileik, with the correct paperwork (see below), and also to visit the notorious border town
of Mong La – although we don’t recommend that you do (see box, p.274).
By plane If you’re combining Kengtung with any By bus and minibus The only roads unsupervised
Myanmar destination bar Tachileik, you’re going to have to foreigners are allowed to take out of Kengtung are those
make use of its tiny airport, located 3km east of the centre south to Tachileik on the Thai border and northeast to
– within walking distance, although the route isn’t terribly Mong La, though you’ll need to get permission from the
pleasant. It costs around K3000 for a tuk-tuk to or from nearby immigration office. This is free, and only takes a few
town. Tickets are available from agencies dotted around minutes. You’ll need to present your passport and your bus
the town centre; count on at least $150 for the flight to ticket, which will need to be photocopied for presentation
Heho or Mandalay. Given how few flights there are out of at the three checkpoints en route. Though your bus
Kengtung, it pays to book as far in advance as you can – or company should take care of this before you board, it’s safer
be prepared to fly out to wherever you can get to, then take to have it taken care of the day before. Several companies
a second (and possibly a third) flight to your preferred make the run to Tachileik, including Shwe Mya Taw Express
destination. and Thet Nay Woon, east of the market, though strangely
Destinations Heho (4 weekly; 35min); Mandalay they all make the run in near-convoy at the same times
(3 weekly; 1hr); Yangon (2 weekly; 1hr 45min). (8am & noon; 5hr).
ACCOMMODATION
Kengtung has very few decent places to stay, and most find that a couple of nights here is more than enough. Note that
though the following places claim to have wi-fi, it often goes down across the whole town. All places listed have a/c unless
stated otherwise.

Amazing Kyaing Tong Resort Mong Yang Rd more modern and pricier alternatives in the two newer
T084 21620, Wamazing-hotel.com. Part of the buildings out the back. $13
nationwide Amazing chain, this newly renovated resort Princess Zaydan Kalay Rd T084 21319, Ekengtung
is Kengtung’s most upmarket option, set in a big four- @main4u.com.mm. Reliable mid-range choice, though
storey complex overlooking a large pool, with well- overpriced for what you get, and some rooms lack
equipped, colourfully decorated rooms. Good value at windows. Rooms come with a fridge, and the location near
current rates. $70 the market is a plus point. $45
Harry’s Trekking House Mong Yang Rd T084 Sam Yweat Kyaing Lan Rd T084 21235. One of
21418. The only decent place at this price level, despite Kengtung’s best all-round options, at least once you’re past
a far-flung location north of the lake. Rooms (more the reception area-cum-moped park, in a bright and clean
expensive ones with a/c) are set in three separate modern building. Rooms are a bit bare but perfectly
buildings and differ a fair bit: those in the main wooden comfortable (albeit hot water is erratic), and staff can help
house are the cheapest and most basic, while there are arrange treks. $35
EATING
Eating options in Kengtung are decidedly thin on the ground. As well as the places listed below there are plenty of snack-
shacks around the market and on the streets leading down to the lake from Mong Yang Road. At night, you could try to
track down one of the town’s many barbecue-stick places for some cheap, tasty snacks; there’s one on the east shore of
the lake, near the corner where the road descends.

Azure East side of lake. Tiny lakeside place selling tasty even set up a table for you in the grassy area by the lake.
Shan-style noodles (mains around K2000) – the fried pork Daily 10am–9pm.
and prawns are both good – plus draught beer. They may Café 21 Zaydan Loang St T09 5842 1952. A sign of the