Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: KENGTUNG
Byplane
Ifyou'recombiningKengtungwithanyMyanmardestinationbarTachileik,you're
going to have to make use of its tiny airport, located 3km east of the centre - within walking
distance, for sure, though since the route isn't terribly pleasant you may want to take a tuk-
tuk (K2000) or bus (K500) to or from town. To fly to or from Yangon, you'll need to go via
HehoorMandalay;ticketsareavailablefromagenciesdottedaroundthetowncentre,though
given the fact that foreigners have no other option, flights are usually very expensive (figure
on $135 to Heho, one-way).
Destinations
Heho (1 daily; 55min); Mandalay (1 daily; 50min-1hr 30min); Tachileik (1
weekly; 25min).
By bus
Foreigners are still prohibited from using overland transport between Taunggyi and
Kengtung: you've no option but to fly, but though the situation doesn't look like changing
in the foreseeable future, there's no harm in re-checking before you travel. The only route
you're allowed to take is south to Tachileik on the
Thai border
,
and even for this it's
essen-
tial
to get permission from the local immigration office. This is free, and only takes a few
minutes: you'll need to present your passport, as well as your bus ticket, and these will also
need tobephotocopied uptosixtimes forpresentation at road-blocks; thoughyourbuscom-
pany should take care of this before you board, it's safer to have it taken care of the day be-
fore.SeveralcompaniesmaketheruntoTachileik(askatyouraccommodationfortheclosest
one),thoughstrangelytheyallmaketheruninnear-convoyatthesametimes(8amandnoon;
5hr); the times are the same back from Tachileik.
Bybusandsharedtaxi
ToMongLa,sharedtaxiistheonlyoption(2hr;K5000);theydepart
fromayard-likeareabehindthe
Golden Banyan
restaurant.Yourdriverwilllikelypopbythe
immigration office on the way to get your trip stamped and signed off.
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
.
Harry's Trekking House
Mong Yang Rd 084 21418.
Though Harry is sadly no longer
around, this guesthouse remains excellent value, and is the only real recommendation at this
priceleveldespiteafar-flunglocationnorthofthelake.Roomsare
seti
nthreeseparatebuild-
ings and differ a fair bit, so look at a few before plumping for one.
$15
New Kyaing Tong
Mong Yang Rd 084 21620,
kyaingtongnewhotel.com
.
If you're
looking for something resembling a real hotel, this is your only option, with smartish rooms
and a swimming pool (out of service since incurring earthquake damage in 2011). Though
it's apparently no longer government-owned, there are still qu
estio
ns about where the money
is going; in addition, the place can feel utterly empty at times.
$65
