Page 332 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

330 NortherN MyaNMar Lashio
THE BURMA ROAD
in November 1937, when the Japanese imperial army took control of shanghai after a savage
three-month battle, China lost its largest port and the last obstacle between the Japanese
forces and the Chinese capital, Nanjing. The government scrambled to relocate to a provisional
capital in Chongqing, deep in the interior, and alternative supply routes were urgently needed.
as a result, work began on the Burma Road, linking the Chinese city of Kunming to the
Burmese railhead at Lashio.
a rough, cobbled track that crossed countless jungle-covered hills and the Mekong and
salween rivers, built by an estimated 200,000 Burmese and Chinese labourers, the road was
1150km long at its completion in 1939. This vital supply route functioned for just three years
until the Japanese overran Lashio in april 1942 and closed the road. after months of airlifting
supplies from assam to Kunming – over the infamous “hump” at the eastern end of the
himalayas – the allies began construction of an arduous alternative route, the Ledo Road
between Ledo in assam and Kunming, which finished construction early in 1945, just months
before the Japanese surrender.

Thathana Pagoda
• Thathana Pagoda Hill, off the Mandalay–Muse road, 2km north of the market
A gilded octagonal pagoda, Thathana Pagoda sits on a ridge surrounded by wooded
slopes offering views over Lashio to the rounded hills beyond. The most interesting way
to reach it is along a steep staircase that leads from the Muse road uphill to an unusual
8 monument on stilts, before turning north to the pagoda.
arrIVaL aND DePartUre LaShIo
By plane Lashio Airport is 8km from the central market (5 daily; 10–11hr); Muse (daily; 4hr); Naypyitaw (daily;
area. When arriving, note that baggage reclaim is just 13hr); Pyin Oo Lwin (3 daily; 6hr); Taunggyi (daily; 15hr);
outside the gates. Shwe Ka Thit at 34 Theinni Rd (T082 Yangon (2 daily; 18hr).
25702), immediately to the left of the Royal Ground hotel By shared taxi Shared taxis to Muse (4hr; K10,000 or
(see p.331), offers competitive ticket prices and has helpful, K12,000 in the front seat) and west to Hsipaw (2hr), Pyin
English-speaking staff. Be aware that flight prices fluctuate Oo Lwin (5hr 30min) and Mandalay (7hr 30min) depart
from day to day. from around the main bus station each morning when
Destinations Heho (for Inle Lake; daily; 1hr); full, and the journey there costs K15,000 for all three.
Mandalay (weekly; 45min); Tachileik (daily; 1hr); Yangon Book through your accommodation and the car will pick
(daily; 1hr 45min). you up from your hotel.
By bus The main bus station is on Muse Rd, 3km By train Lashio’s railway station is 5km northwest of the
northeast of the market and just south of Mansu Pagoda. market. During the day, the journey there should cost
There’s also a more central local bus station just south of K1500 with a pick-up or motorbike taxi, but you may have
the market on Mandalay St, which has a few services to to pay more to get there early enough to catch the one
Hsipaw. Foreigners are not allowed on buses to Muse, daily train that departs at 5am. Tickets are on sale from
and you may also have difficulty buying tickets to around 4am.
Taunggyi. Destinations Hsipaw (daily; 4hr 25min); Kyaukme (daily;
Destinations Hsipaw (3 daily; 2hr); Kalaw (3 daily; 15hr); 6hr); Mandalay (daily; 17hr 40min); Pyin Oo Lwin
Kyaukme (3 daily; 3hr); Mandalay (3 daily; 9hr); Meiktila (daily; 11hr).
GettING aroUND
By motorbike taxi Motorbike taxi drivers gather around around K1500 per journey. Some shared tuk-tuks run from
the railway station, bus station and the market, with a the railway and bus stations to the market, with a trip from
journey around town typically costing K1000–1500. either costing K300/person.
By tuk-tuk A chartered tuk-tuk around town will cost
aCCoMMoDatIoN
Golden Kinnara 86 Kyani Rd T082 30891, 2014, this is one of Lashio’s better mid-range hotels. The
Egoldenkinnarahotel@gmail.com. Opened in early rooms are bland but spacious and comfortable, and come

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