Page 329 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

Hsipaw and around NortherN MyaNMar 327
HIKING AROUND HSIPAW
Trekking is firmly established in Hsipaw; almost every hotel or guesthouse has English-
speaking guides on hand (Mr Charles has over 20; see p.328). some agencies produce
brochures listing ten or eleven itineraries, ranging from a half-day boat trip with an hour-long
walk to a mountain monastery, up to strenuous treks of three or more nights. That said, guides
are always willing to adapt to your timetable and interests.
ROUTES
a popular hike from Hsipaw is the five-hour trip to Pan Kam village, where it’s possible to stay
overnight. The trail starts at the Muslim cemetery on the western edge of Hsipaw, and soon
passes a hot spring and winds uphill through farming villages and fields. while pan Kam can feel
a little touristy at times, it’s also possible to stay in Htan Sant, which is just an hour and fifteen
minutes further along the picturesque mountain paths. The standard route involves taking
the left-hand path at a fork just after you leave pan Kam, but the longer right-hand path has
exceptional views of the valley. The following day, you can retrace your steps or choose between
several routes further into the mountains. one leads to Sar Maw village and thence to Bawgyo
paya (see p.326), from where it’s 8km back to Hsipaw; your guide can call a motorbike from
Hsipaw to pick you up. another route passes through Man Loi village, from where you can again
branch off to the Mandalay–Lashio rd, or continue towards Kyaukme. Bear in mind, though, that
Hsipaw guides may not be au fait with the Kyaukme security situation (or vice versa).
PRACTICALITIES
although it’s usually peaceful around Hsipaw, skirmishes do occasionally break out between
shan and palaung militias, so it’s not advisable to set off into the mountains without a guide,
or at least without getting up-to-the minute information before you go. The local guides have 8
well-established lines of communication, both with the villages and with the militias
themselves.
Prices are fairly standard among Hsipaw guides, and vary mainly with the size of your group
– a couple might pay K20,000 each per day, while in a group of four or more you may only
need K15,000. This will usually include food and accommodation. You can find a guide through
your hotel, or go direct by contacting either Kham Lu (T09 250 693 985, Ekyawmoonoo
@gmail.com) or Than Htike (T09 3618 6646, Elionmanhpw@gmail.com).

arrIVaL aND DePartUre hSIPaW aND aroUND
By bus There is no bus station in Hsipaw, but buses and regardless of your destination. Book a seat through your
minibuses depart from restaurants and guesthouses that accommodation or through Khaing Dhabyay on Bogyoke
double as ticket offices, including Yee Shin guesthouse, Rd.
Duhtawadi Café on Lanmataw St and Khaing Dhabyay on By train Hsipaw’s railway station is west of the town
Bogyoke Rd. centre, 500m west of Namtu Rd. There’s one train in each
Destinations Kyaukme (6 daily; 1hr); Lashio (3 daily; 2hr); direction each day, and tickets only go on sale 30min before
Mandalay (6 daily; 6hr); Monywa (daily; 11hr); Naypyitaw each train arrives. If you are heading for Mandalay, you can
(3 daily; 12hr); Nyaungshwe (for Inle Lake, 3 daily; 15hr); knock 3hr off the journey by getting off the train in Pyin Oo
Pyin Oo Lwin (6 daily; 4hr); Yangon (3 daily; 16hr). Lwin and taking a bus or shared taxi (K7000) for the
By shared taxi Shared taxis east to Lashio (2hr; K6000/ remaining distance.
person) and west to Kyaukme (1hr), Pyin Oo Lwin (3hr Destinations Lashio (daily; 4hr 20min); Kyaukme (daily;
30min) and Mandalay (5hr 30min) depart Hsipaw around 1hr 25min); Pyin Oo Lwin (daily; 6hr 25min); Mandalay
6–7am. Westbound you will pay the same fare (K15,000) (daily; 13hr).
GettING aroUND
By tuk-tuk A short journey around town ought to cost no minor accidents, the local government discourages guest­
more than K1000. houses from renting motorbikes to foreigners. However, it’s
By bicycle Most of Hsipaw’s sights are within easy cycling still possible to find them in a couple of places: try Smile (no
distance of the town centre. Bikes are available to rent from English sign, but lots of motorbikes) just up the road from Lily
most hotels for K2000/day. the Home, or Sai Pha a bit further out of town at the southern
By motorbike Since a couple of tourists were involved in end of Namtu Rd (both daily 7am–7pm; K8000/day).

310-355_Myanmar_B2_Ch8.indd 327 30/06/17 2:21 pm