Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
but visiting for a few hours is no problem. Like all markets, the earlier you get here,
the more you'll see.
Mensen lies also along a much more scenic route to Lashio than the main Man-
dalay- Lashio highway. Starting from Hsipaw, you'll first reach Panglong (where
you turn left into the hills for Namhsan) and then Mensen. After that, take the
right-hand fork off the main road at the end of Mensen; Lashio is 32 miles further
on along a road that winds through Shan villages and maize fields.
Technically, this road is out of bounds for foreigners. At the time of writing,
though, there were no checkpoints and travellers could use the route, making a
Hsipaw- Namhsan-Lashio loop possible. Take local advice before trying this.
Getting There & Away
In theory, shared pick-ups run to Namhsan (K6000, five to six hours) at least five times a
week from Kyaukme bus stand, picking up passengers in Hsipaw (same price) by pre-ar-
rangement on 09 4730 6067. Ask your guesthouse to call for you. From Hsipaw, rent-
ing your own jeep will cost around K60,000.
Hiring a motorbike is the best way to reach Namhsan, but it's not a journey for
novices. The road is mostly an unsealed, pot-holed, rocky track and it's a knee-jarring,
back-breaking, arms-aching four-hour ride. The consolations for the pain are the stunning
views along the way and the chance to stop off in Palaung hamlets.
There's also a very local bus that runs from Namhsan to Lashio and then onto Man-
dalay (K10,000, 15 hours) every other day. Foreigners are normally barred from taking
it, but only a masochist would consider it anyway.
TRAVEL PLANNING FOR THE MANDALAY-LASHIO ROUTE
Factors to consider:
» If you want to cross the Chinese border, you'll need to arrange a visa and permits
well in advance.
» Flying to/from Lashio is worth considering as a quick, comfortable way to link
Hsipaw with Inle Lake or Yangon.
» The Mandalay-Lashio railway journey is extraordinarily slow and bouncy enough
to inspire seasickness. However, it does offer trainspotters the joy of crossing the
remarkable Gokteik Viaduct between Kyaukme and Pyin Oo Lwin.
» Cool, fresh Pyin Oo Lwin is barely two hours' drive from Mandalay.
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