Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MYITKYINA TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
At the time of writing, travel to and from Myitkyina was severely restricted due to
ongoing fighting between the Kachin Independence Army and the Myanmar milit-
ary. Foreigners are barred from taking both buses and boats to or from Myitkyina,
meaning the only way in or out of the town is by train or plane (unless you are pre-
pared to hire an expensive private car and guide). That situation will hopefully
change, allowing travellers to once more catch a boat south to Bhamo. We've in-
cluded details of the journey in the hope that happens soon.
Eating
Traditionally, Kachin food uses relatively little oil in contrast to Burmese cuisine. Classic
dishes include
chekachin
(steamed chicken pasted with spices and wrapped in a banana
leaf),
sipa
(mixture of freshly steamed vegetables sprinkled with sesame powder) and
nakoo-che
(hot-sour fish with bamboo shoots). Wash it down with
kaung-ye,
a cloudy
semi-sweet pink-brown beer made from sticky rice.
As well as the places reviewed here, there is a wide range of accessible (if fairly stand-
ard) eateries along Zaw Gyi St west of the rail tracks.
Orient Restaurant
KACHIN, JAPANESE $
(YMCA St; mains from K2000; 7am-9pm, closed Sun Morning; )
A meeting place for My-
itkyina's tiny foreign community, the menu here is an intriguing blend of local dishes,
Western faves and sushi and ramen (the Kachin owner lived in Japan previously).
Kiss Me
BURMESE $
(Zaw John Rd; dishes K500-1500; 6am-9pm; )
A hotspot for Myitkyina's fashionable
youth, this riverside pavilion turns out some fine food. Try the
gyin tok,
a crunchy ginger
salad; there are curries and fine shakes and juices too.
River View
CHINESE $
(Riverside; dim sum K400-700; 6am-10pm)
Get your morning nourishment from this
riverside terrace joint with the tastiest dim sum in town. Popular for coffee and tea too,
it's directly south of the main vegetable market.
Night Market
STREET FOOD $
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
