The Enchanting Charm of Hsipaw, Myanmar

Discover the serene charm of Hsipaw, Myanmar - a hidden gem offering lush landscapes, rich history, and authentic cultural experiences in the heart of Shan State.

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Nestled in the Shan State of Myanmar, Hsipaw is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. This charming town is often overlooked by tourists, making it a perfect destination for those looking to escape the crowds and experience the authentic rural life of Myanmar. Hsipaw is surrounded by lush green hills, serene rivers, and traditional Shan villages. The area is ideal for trekking and exploring the countryside. As you wander through the scenic trails, you will encounter friendly locals and get a glimpse of their daily lives. One of the highlights of visiting Hsipaw is the opportunity to stay in a local guesthouse or homestay, where you can enjoy warm hospitality and delicious home-cooked meals. Apart from its natural beauty, Hsipaw is also rich in history and culture. The town itself boasts several historical sites, including the Shan Palace, which offers a fascinating insight into the region's royal past. The bustling morning market is another must-visit, where you can find a variety of fresh produce, local handicrafts, and traditional Shan food. Exploring Hsipaw is like stepping back in time, where you can appreciate the simplicity and tranquility of rural Myanmar.

Local tips in Hsipaw

Plan your visit during the dry season from November to February for the best trekking conditions.
Hire a local guide for treks to ensure you do not miss out on hidden trails and cultural insights.
Visit the morning market early to experience the bustling atmosphere and sample local delicacies.
Consider staying in a homestay to experience the local way of life and enjoy home-cooked meals.
Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting villages and religious sites.

File:Stupa and Statuary - Little Bagan - Outside Hsipaw - Myanmar (Burma) (12222455463).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Central Market Hsipaw, Myanmar (14896485751).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Facade of Maha Nanda Kantha - Teak Monastery - Outside Hsipaw - Myanmar (Burma) (12225673144).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:View from Bridge over Gokteik Viaduct - Train from Pyin Oo Lwin to Hsipaw - Myanmar (Burma) (12220204313).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Shan Palace, Hsipaw Myanmar (14921769994).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

File:Bawgyo Pagoda, Hsipaw.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

When is the best time to go to Hsipaw?

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

မဟာအံ့ထူးကံသာ မြတ်စွာဘုရား

Explore the tranquil Buddhist temple in Pyin Oo Lwin, a stunning blend of spirituality and nature, rich in cultural heritage and serene ambiance.

Maha Nandamu Peik Chin Myaung Cave

Explore the stunning Maha Nandamu Peik Chin Myaung Cave, a natural wonder with breathtaking limestone formations and rich cultural heritage in Myanmar.

Mr. Charles Hotel

Experience the warmth and charm of Hsipaw at Mr. Charles Hotel, your cozy haven for exploring Myanmar's breathtaking landscapes and rich culture.

Tai House Resort

Discover the tranquility of Tai House Resort in Hsipaw, Myanmar, where comfort meets natural beauty and unforgettable experiences await.

Mrs. Popcorn's Garden

Discover the charm of Mrs. Popcorn's Garden in Hsipaw, where delicious local dishes meet a serene garden ambiance, perfect for every traveler.

Sunset Hill

Experience the breathtaking sunsets and serene landscapes at Sunset Hill, Hsipaw's premier destination for nature lovers and peace seekers.

Red Dragon Hotel

Discover comfort and local charm at the Red Dragon Hotel, your ideal lodging choice in the heart of Hsipaw, Myanmar.

Little Bagan

Experience the tranquility and spiritual richness of Little Bagan, a captivating Buddhist temple complex in Hsipaw, Myanmar.

Hsipaw Sunrise , Shan State Trekking

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Hsipaw Sunrise in Shan State, a trekker's paradise with stunning landscapes and rich cultural experiences.

Maha Nanda Kantha Monastery

Discover tranquility and spirituality at Maha Nanda Kantha Monastery in Hsipaw, a peaceful retreat surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

Ko Pee Travel & Trekking Tours

Discover the beauty of Hsipaw with Ko Pee Travel & Trekking Tours, your expert guide to Myanmar's stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

The North Trek

Explore the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of Hsipaw at The North Trek, a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility in Myanmar.

Morning Market

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Hsipaw's Morning Market, where local culture, fresh produce, and artisan crafts come together in a delightful experience.

Haw Nan

Discover the serene beauty and rich cultural heritage of Haw Nan, a captivating attraction in Hsipaw, Myanmar, perfect for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts.

Unmissable attractions to see

Sunset Hill

Experience the stunning vistas and serene ambiance of Sunset Hill in Hsipaw, Myanmar - a must-visit for nature lovers and sunset enthusiasts.

Little Bagan

Experience the tranquility and cultural richness of Little Bagan, a serene Buddhist temple complex in the heart of Hsipaw, Myanmar.

Hsipaw Nant-Ton Waterfall

Explore the enchanting Hsipaw Nant-Ton Waterfall, a hidden natural wonder in Myanmar, perfect for tranquility, adventure, and stunning photography.

People’s Park

Explore the tranquil People’s Park in Hsipaw, an oasis of nature and culture perfect for relaxation and local experiences.

River Junction

Experience the tranquility of River Junction in Hsipaw, Myanmar, where nature and culture intertwine to create unforgettable memories.

ကွတ်လုံတောင်

Discover the serene beauty and rich culture of Hsipaw, Myanmar's hidden gem, where adventure meets tranquility amidst stunning landscapes.

တီႈဝၢၼ်ႈႁဝ်း

Explore the serene garden of တီႈဝၢၼ်ႈႁဝ်း in Hsipaw, Myanmar - a peaceful retreat filled with vibrant flora and tranquil pathways.

နမ့်ဟူးနွဲ့ ရေတံခွန် ၊ သီပေါမြို့

Explore the enchanting landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Baw Kyo, a hidden gem in Myanmar's tourist attractions.

စိန်နဂါး

Explore the serene beauty of Hsipaw's Garden, a lush retreat in Myanmar offering tranquility and stunning natural landscapes.

နမ့်အွန်ကုန်းညုရွာ

Discover Hsipaw's stunning landscapes, rich culture, and adventure-filled experiences in the heart of Myanmar's enchanting countryside.

Haw Nan

Discover the breathtaking beauty and rich culture of Haw Nan, a hidden gem in Hsipaw, Myanmar, perfect for nature lovers and cultural explorers.

Nature well

Discover the serene beauty of the Nature Well in Hsipaw, a tranquil escape surrounded by lush greenery and flowing waters.

ဘူတာ9ရပ်ကွက်

Unleash your adventurous spirit in Hsipaw's hiking areas, where breathtaking trails and serene landscapes await every explorer.

သီပေါ4မိုင်ကမ်းခြေ

Discover the serene beauty of Hsipaw Park, a peaceful retreat in Myanmar surrounded by lush nature and vibrant local culture.

ဆွန်လုံ

Discover the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Hsipaw, Myanmar's hidden treasure in Shan State.

Essential places to dine

Mrs. Popcorn's Garden

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine in a serene garden setting at Mrs. Popcorn's Garden in Hsipaw.

YuanYuan Restaurant Mr. Shake

Discover the rich flavors of Myanmar at YuanYuan Restaurant Mr. Shake in Hsipaw – where every bite tells a story.

Mr.Pizza(free wifi)

Experience mouthwatering pizzas in Hsipaw's cozy gem with free Wi-Fi and a friendly atmosphere perfect for relaxation.

A Kaung Kyite

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine at A Kaung Kyite in Hsipaw - where every dish tells a story.

Akaung Kyaik Restaurant

Discover authentic Burmese flavors at Akaung Kyaik Restaurant in Kyaukme – where every dish tells a story.

Hwai Ta

Experience authentic Myanmar cuisine at Hwai Ta - where tradition meets flavor in every dish.

အကောင်းကြိုက်မြန်မာထမင်းဆိုင် မြစ်ဘေး

Savor the authentic taste of Myanmar at Hsipaw's beloved Burmese restaurant known for its fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.

Pink Restaurant

Discover authentic Burmese flavors and warm hospitality at Pink Restaurant in Hsipaw – a must-visit dining destination for all travelers.

Hot Pot restaurant

Savor authentic hot pot dishes in Hsipaw's charming atmosphere—an essential culinary experience for every traveler exploring Myanmar.

ရွှေသစ္စာ 2 ရှမ်းနှမ်းထောင်း ခေါပုတ်

Explore rich flavors at ရွှေသစ္စာ 2 ရှမ်းနှမ်းထောင်း ခေါပုတ် - a vibrant food court showcasing authentic Shan cuisine in Hsipaw.

Hsipaw Garden

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine in a serene garden setting along Mandalay-Lashio Road.

Hsipaw ဆီချက်

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine at Hsipaw ဆီချက် - A delightful restaurant in the heart of Hsipaw offering traditional flavors.

Hsipaw Noodle House

Discover authentic Burmese flavors at Hsipaw Noodle House, where every dish tells a story of tradition and taste in beautiful Hsipaw.

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Htet Shan

Discover the finest footwear at Htet Shan, a charming shoe store in Hsipaw, Myanmar, where local culture meets quality craftsmanship.

Chit chaw lay's home

Discover the heart of Hsipaw at Chit Chaw Lay's Home, where local crafts and culture come together in a vibrant shopping experience.

Ko Nyi Mg work Shop

Experience the charm of traditional craftsmanship at Ko Nyi Mg Workshop in Hsipaw, where unique handmade home goods await your discovery.

ကိုမော်နူး

Explore the enchanting store of ကိုမော်နူး in Hsipaw, where local culture meets artisanal craftsmanship in a unique shopping experience.

NOON Fashion Shop

Explore the essence of Myanmar's fashion at NOON Fashion Shop, where unique accessories meet local craftsmanship.

စပွန်ဆာ စတိုးဆိုင်

Discover local flavors and cultural treasures at စပွန်ဆာ စတိုးဆိုင်, a charming grocery store in Hsipaw, Myanmar.

မွေနွံဖောင် ရှမ်းရိုးရာအထည်ဆိုင်

Explore traditional Shan clothing and vibrant local craftsmanship at Hsipaw's unique clothing store, a cultural gem for every traveler.

S.S.One

Explore the charm of Hsipaw at S.S.One, a unique home goods store filled with handcrafted treasures and local artistry.

U Hla Htun Store

Discover authentic local products and unique souvenirs at U Hla Htun Store in Hsipaw, Myanmar, where culture meets craftsmanship.

Nawarat-Yae-Sin

Discover Nawarat-Yae-Sin, your essential convenience store in Hsipaw, Myanmar, offering local snacks and everyday necessities amidst beautiful landscapes.

ပန်တိမ်မြောက်ရပ်ကွက်၊သီပေါမြို့၊(MLK Fashion Shop)

Discover the unique blend of traditional and contemporary fashion at MLK Fashion Shop in Hsipaw, Myanmar, where local culture meets style.

NgweLaMinLay clothing

Explore Hsipaw's rich culture through unique clothing at NgweLaMinLay - a treasure trove of traditional and contemporary styles.

Mg Kyaw Zin

Uncover unique treasures and stories at Mg Kyaw Zin, Hsipaw's charming second-hand store filled with local culture and craftsmanship.

Aung ဆန်ဆိုင်

Discover the vibrant fashion of Hsipaw at Aung ဆန်ဆိုင်, where local craftsmanship meets authentic Burmese style.

PINK LADY Cosmetics Hsipaw

Explore the vibrant world of beauty at PINK LADY Cosmetics in Hsipaw, featuring a stunning selection of cosmetics and fashionable bags.

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

Mrs. Popcorn's Garden

Discover the charming Mrs. Popcorn's Garden in Hsipaw, where unique popcorn flavors meet a serene garden ambiance.

YuanYuan Restaurant Mr. Shake

Discover authentic Burmese flavors at YuanYuan Restaurant Mr. Shake, a delightful eatery in Hsipaw known for its diverse menu and warm hospitality.

Law Chun / Mr. Food

Savor authentic Burmese cuisine at Law Chun / Mr. Food, a must-visit restaurant in Hsipaw known for its rich flavors and warm atmosphere.

Pioneer Billiard&Snooker

Discover the vibrant atmosphere of Pioneer Billiard & Snooker in Hsipaw, where games, drinks, and socializing come together for an unforgettable experience.

Yin Kyan

Discover the authentic tastes of Myanmar at Yin Kyan, a beloved restaurant in Hsipaw known for its traditional dishes and warm atmosphere.

Valentines-Burger & Ice cream

Discover the delicious blend of savory burgers and sweet ice cream at Valentines-Burger & Ice Cream in Hsipaw, a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

Hwai Ta

Discover the authentic flavors of Myanmar at Hwai Ta, a charming restaurant in Hsipaw offering traditional Burmese cuisine in a cozy setting.

Royal Restaurant

Experience the authentic flavors of Myanmar at Royal Restaurant in Hsipaw, a must-visit for food lovers and travelers alike.

New Shan

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine in Hsipaw at New Shan, where every dish is a celebration of local flavors and traditions.

Lao Lao

Experience authentic Myanmar cuisine at Lao Lao, a charming restaurant in Hsipaw that delights with its traditional dishes and warm ambiance.

Like Restaurant

Experience authentic Burmese cuisine at Like Restaurant, a culinary gem in Hsipaw, where local flavors meet warm hospitality.

Nang Saw Fried Restaurant

Experience the rich flavors of Myanmar at Nang Saw Fried Restaurant, Hsipaw's top destination for authentic Burmese cuisine.

Smile (မာလာဟင်း နှင့် မာလာရှမ်းကော)

Experience authentic Burmese flavors at Smile Restaurant in Hsipaw, where traditional cuisine meets warm hospitality in a cozy setting.

Smile

Experience the authentic flavors of Myanmar at Smile, a cozy restaurant in Hsipaw, perfect for travelers seeking local culinary delights.

Mister food

Discover the authentic flavors of Myanmar at Mister Food, a local restaurant in Hsipaw offering a warm atmosphere and delightful dishes.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide to Hsipaw

Discover Hsipaw with Evendo, a 100% free app-based local travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease and convenience.

Local Phrases about Hsipaw

- Helloမင်္ဂလာပါ
  [mingalarpar]
- Goodbyeသွားပါ
  [swabar]
- Yesဟုတ်ပါသည်
  [hotebarne]
- Noမဟုတ်ပါသည်
  [mahotebarne]
- Please/You're welcomeကျေးဇူးပါတယ်
  [chayzupata]
- Thank youကျေးဇူးပါတယ်
  [chayzupata]
- Excuse me/Sorryစောက်ရှား
  [soksha]
- How are you?ဘာလဲလား
  [bala la]
- Fine. And you?ကျွန်တော်လာ
  [kyawtaula]
- Do you speak English?အဂၤလိပ်လို့လို့ပဲ
  [agalaylo lo pye]
- I don't understandကျွန်တော်သိမ်းလုပ်ပါ
  [kyawtausaimlupar]
- I'd like to see the menu, pleaseမနက်ခင်းက စာရင်းကြည်ရန်လုပ်ပါ
  [manakhangka sairanggyinyalupar]
- I don't eat meatဟုတ်ပါသည် သစ်ကုလာ မဟုတ်ပါသည်
  [hotebarne thakyula mahotebarne]
- Cheers!လှပနောင့်
  [hla neaung]
- I would like to pay, pleaseငွေကျေးဇူးပါတယ်
  [nekyizupata]
- Help!ကူးပါ
  [kupa]
- Go away!သွားရပါ
  [swayarpa]
- Call the Police!ရုိက်လှည် ဆက္ခသွားပါ
  [yohtlay hokhswabar]
- Call a doctor!ဆရာဝိုင်း ဆက္ခသွားပါ
  [shayawin hokhswabar]
- I'm lostငါ့ရဲ့နောက်မှာ့
  [nerenokhma]
- I'm illငါ့ရဲ့အဆင့်မှာ့
  [nerenihsamha]
- I'd like to buy...ကျေးဇူးပါတယ် ... ဝယ်လို့ပါ
  [chayzupata ... yalopye]
- I'm just lookingငါက ရှောင်ပါပြီ
  [ngar shawngparpi]
- How much is it?ဒီအခြားဘက်လဲ
  [dikyakahpa le]
- That's too expensiveဤလူကြီးလေးပါပဲ
  [ilukyi lepye]
- Can you lower the price?စျေးခြုံဘက်လဲ
  [seykhonhakle]
- What time is it?ဘယ်အချိန်ပါလဲ
  [bayakhinpa le]
- It's one o'clockတစ်ချိန်ပါလဲ
  [tachinpa le]
- Half past (10)ဆယ် မှာ့ (၁၀)
  [say ma (la)]
- Morningနန်းနန်းကြီးခိုး
  [nanan kyi]
- Afternoonညနေ့ခိုး
  [nya ne kyi]
- Eveningညနေ့တွင်း
  [nya ne twin]
- Yesterdayမနေ့က
  [mane ka]
- Todayယနေ့
  [ya ne]
- Tomorrowမနက်
  [manakha]
- 1တစ်
  [ta]
- 2နှစ်
  [hna]
- 3သုံး
  [son]
- 4လေး
  [lei]
- 5ငါး
  [nga]
- 6ခြောက်
  [khauk]
- 7ခွေး
  [hwe]
- 8ရှောက်
  [shawk]
- 9ကိုး
  [ko]
- 10ဆယ်
  [say]
- Where's a/the...?ဘာတွင်အဲ့ရဲ့လဲ
  [batawingnerenle]
- What's the address?ဘာလဲရရပ်လဲ
  [baleleparle]
- Can you show me (on the map)?စျေးမြန်မာ့ကြည်ရန်လဲ
  [seyminma gyinyale]
- When's the next (bus)?ဘယ်နောင့်ရဲ့လဲ
  [bayaneaungnerenle]
- A ticket (to ....)လက်ဆောင်းလဲ (.... သို့)
  [lakhaung le (.... so)]

History of Hsipaw

Hsipaw, known locally as Thibaw, was once a significant town in the Shan Kingdom. The Shan are an ethnic group primarily found in the Shan State, one of Myanmar’s most culturally rich and diverse regions. The town's history dates back to the 13th century when it served as the capital of an independent Shan principality. The Shan princes, also known as Saophas, ruled from their grand palaces, overseeing a region that was pivotal in trade and politics.
In the late 19th century, Hsipaw came under British colonial rule following the annexation of Burma in 1886. The British influence brought changes to the administrative and socio-economic landscape of the region. During this period, Hsipaw became an important administrative center and saw an influx of British officials and traders. The unique blend of Shan and British colonial architecture in the town reflects this era.
One of the most captivating chapters in Hsipaw's history is the story of its last Saopha, Sao Kya Seng. Educated in the United States, he returned to Hsipaw and married an Austrian woman, Inge Sargent. His progressive ideas and efforts to modernize the region earned him respect and admiration. However, during the military coup in 1962, Sao Kya Seng was arrested, and his fate remains unknown. Inge Sargent's memoir, 'Twilight over Burma,' recounts their life together and offers a poignant glimpse into this tumultuous time.
The construction of the railway line and the Gokteik Viaduct in the early 20th century is a significant event in Hsipaw's history. The viaduct, built by the British, was once the largest railway trestle in the world and remains an engineering marvel. It connects Hsipaw with Mandalay and other regions, facilitating trade and travel. The journey over the Gokteik Viaduct offers stunning views and is a popular attraction for visitors today.
Despite the challenges faced during the 20th century, Hsipaw has retained its cultural heritage. The town is home to numerous historical sites, including the Hsipaw Haw (the Shan Palace), old monasteries, and traditional Shan villages. The local markets, festivals, and daily life offer a vibrant glimpse into the enduring traditions of the Shan people. Travelers can explore the town's rich history through guided tours, museum visits, and interactions with the local community.

Hsipaw Essentials

Hsipaw is located in the northern Shan State of Myanmar. The nearest major city is Mandalay, which has an international airport, Mandalay International Airport (MDL). From Mandalay, you can take a bus, train, or hire a private car to reach Hsipaw. The bus journey typically takes around 6 hours and offers beautiful scenic views. The train journey, known for its picturesque route across the Gokteik Viaduct, takes about 11 hours. Private cars are a faster but more expensive option, taking approximately 5 hours.
Once in Hsipaw, getting around is relatively easy. Bicycles and motorbikes are popular and can be rented from various shops. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis are also widely available for short distances. For exploring the surrounding countryside, guided trekking tours are highly recommended. Walking is feasible for short distances within the town itself.
The official currency in Myanmar is the Burmese Kyat (MMK). While some larger hotels and restaurants may accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash, especially in smaller establishments and rural areas. ATMs can be found in Hsipaw, but it's wise to withdraw sufficient cash in Mandalay before traveling. U.S. dollars may be accepted in some places, but ensure the notes are in pristine condition.
Hsipaw is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, standard precautions should be taken. Avoid walking alone late at night and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. While crime rates are low, pickpocketing can occur. Some areas outside the main tourist spots may have restricted access due to local conflicts, so always check current travel advisories.
In case of an emergency, dial the local emergency number 199 for police assistance. The local hospital can handle basic medical needs, but for more serious conditions, you may need to travel to Mandalay. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.
Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and socks when entering temples and pagodas. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a slight bow or a nod. A handshake is less common. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don’t point your feet at people or religious objects as it is considered impolite.
To experience Hsipaw like a local, visit the morning market where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Burmese goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss a boat trip on the Dokhtawaddy River or a visit to the Shan Palace for a glimpse into the area's royal history. For a unique experience, take a sunrise trek to Nine Buddha Hill for panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside.

The Enchanting Charm of Hsipaw, Myanmar

Local tips in Hsipaw