Page 331 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

Lashio NortherN MyaNMar 329
Lashio

The last major town before the Chinese border, LASHIO sprawls over a series of hillsides
170km south of the Muse–Ruili border crossing (see box, p.331) and has a large
Chinese population. The town itself has repeatedly risen from its own ashes like an
ungainly phoenix, most recently after a 1988 fire ripped through many of its old
wooden houses. Formerly the seat of a Shan saopha, Lashio is today an important
regional hub, sitting between the Burma Road (see box, p.330) leading east, and the
Mandalay–Lashio railway heading west.
There’s little reason to visit Lashio unless you’re heading on to Hsipaw or to China
(though the border was closed at the time of research; see box, p.331). If you find
yourself here, you’ll still find plenty to keep you occupied, with a few temples and
several thronging markets to explore.

The markets and around
The closest thing to a town centre in Lashio is the area around the covered Myoma
Market between Lanmadaw Street and Thukha Road. A morning vegetable market
spreads out before dawn along Bogyoke Road (sadly no longer lit by candles), before
the action moves inside around 7am. To end the day, a lively night market sets up each
evening along Bogyoke and Thiri roads, selling food and Chinese clothes. Just next to
all the market action is Lashio’s pretty central mosque, which was rebuilt after its 8
predecessor was torched during anti-Muslim riots in May 2013.
Thathana Pagoda (1km) Bus Station (2km), Airport (8km) & Muse (171km)
LaShIo MU S E R O A D Monastery N
Railway Station (4km)

S A N K A U N G R O A D
Independence
Monument
MUSE R O AD
Hsipaw (73km) Lashio Y A N K E E N S T R E E T
City hall
Mahamyatmuni S A N K A U N G R O A D
Paya P YA Y S T R E E T
St
Internet
L A N M A D A W S T
Shwe CB Bank
Ka thit
THEINNI ROAD
Myoma THUKHA RO AD
Market BOGYOKE ROAD
Night THIRI ROAD
Market
eatING
Indian Restaurant 3 L A N M A D AW S T
Shwelai 1
Sun Moon 2
KYANI ROAD
aCCoMMoDatIoN
Golden Kinnara 4
Royal Ground Hotel 2 0 200
Sann Shwin 3
Two Elephants Hotel 1 metres
Y E B AW S T
Local buses to Hsipaw (800m)
310-355_Myanmar_B2_Ch8.indd 329 30/06/17 2:21 pm