Myanmar (Burma) Travel Guide by Lonely Planet

Author:Lonely Planet
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lonely Planet

Heho

$119-154; 55min; Mon-Wed, Sat & Sun

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Mandalay

$129-158; 25min-1½hr; daily (direct or via Heho)

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Mong La

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K5000; 4hr; frequent 7am-3pm

K15,000-20,000; 3hr; frequent 7am-3pm

Tachileik

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K10,000; 4-5hr; daily 8am & 11.30am

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K12,000-15,000; 3-4hr; frequent 6am-noon

Yangon

$159-198; 2hr 45min; daily (via Heho & Mandalay)

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Mong La

(+86) 691 / Population c20,000

Located on the Chinese border, Mong La lies within Myanmar, but is part of semi-autonomous Wa State, a finger of land controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), an ethnic militia associated with drug production and trafficking. The Wa – former headhunters – have their own government, license plates (attached, almost exclusively, to white ’90s-era sedans) and road signs. Chinese is the lingua franca in Wa State, and the Chinese yuan (Y) is the currency.

Until the border with China was closed to all but locals in 2005, Mong La was the epitome of the wild border town. Those days are over, but the abandoned casinos and bustling Chinese atmosphere provide a bizarre contrast with the largely traditional Tai Lü villages that surround Mong La.

Sights & Activities

Most people come to Mong La to gamble, although most of the casinos have moved to Wan Siw, a village a few miles west of Mong La. The casinos aren’t exactly foreigner-friendly, generally featuring games that most Western tourists aren’t familiar with while also requiring gamblers to exchange a certain amount of money (usually around US$50) into non-refundable chips upon entry.

Perhaps Mong La’s most infamous sight is its central market MAP GOOGLE MAP, a known hotspot for wildlife trafficking.

Museum in Commemoration of Opium-Free in Special Region MUSEUM

( 24hr) In 1997 Mong La was declared ‘drug-free’ by the Wa authorities, and this temple-like museum was their effort to promote this. In addition to photos, maps and paraphernalia, inside the dusty and neglected building you’ll find creepy life-sized dioramas: one shows long-haired, leather-coat-wearing Myanmar youth abusing drugs before eventually, post-rehab, sporting a new haircut and a pressed longyi, ‘come to the normal stream of life’.

That Luang Mong La BUDDHIST TEMPLE

( daylight hours) This golden hilltop temple has views over the Chinese border post and Mong La. Inside, you’ll find an immense Buddha statue and dioramas of famous religious sites across Myanmar.

Day Trips Around Mong La

There’s huge potential for trekking among various ethnic groups outside Mong La, but at research time few routes had been established and overnight stays were generally not encouraged.

Destinations outside of Mong La include Mong Puen, a Tai Lü village a 30-minute drive east of Mong La, where there’s a crumbling old Buddhist temple and where most of the 69 families live in traditional wooden houses; Wat Nong Luang, an old Buddhist temple accessible only via a very rough four-hour drive; and Nam Yi, a village home to a large Buddha image. A car and driver to most destinations around Mong La should cost around Y400 to Y500 per day.

Sleeping & Eating

Mong La’s hotels are some of the grottiest and dodgiest we’ve seen anywhere, which coming from a Lonely Planet author, is saying a lot.

The city’s central market is the place to go

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