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Lashio

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City
—°6
Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
ℹ️

Practical info — Lashio

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the lively morning market early to see the diverse ethnic minority groups trading goods.
  • Take the spectacular train journey over the Gokteik Viaduct towards Pyin Oo Lwin.
  • Dress modestly when visiting the Mansu Pagoda and other religious sites.
  • Try the local hot springs on the outskirts of town, popular with locals in the cooler months.

🍽 Food

🍽
Shan Noodles

The iconic dish of the region; rice noodles in a clear broth or sticky sauce, served in local teahouses.

🍽
Tofu Nway

Warm, creamy chickpea tofu served over noodles, a comforting local breakfast.

🍽
Tea Leaf Salad (Lahpet Thoke)

A crunchy, savory mix of fermented tea leaves, nuts, and garlic, available at traditional eateries.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Lashio Night Market

Great for sampling local street food and buying inexpensive clothing and trinkets.

🛍
Traditional Textiles

Look for handwoven Shan fabrics and bags in the main market.

🧘
Quan Yin San Temple

A peaceful Chinese temple with detailed architecture and a calm atmosphere.

🧘
Mansu Pagoda Hill

Gives a serene environment and panoramic views over the town and surrounding valleys.

Lashio lies in northern Shan State at 855 metres altitude, 320 kilometres northeast of Mandalay close to the Chinese border, with around 132,000 inhabitants. The town is the terminus of the famous Burma Road, built in 1937-1938 by 200,000 Chinese workers and running 1,154 kilometres to Kunming. During World War II this road was the only supply line for Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese troops in the war against Japan. In April 1942 the Japanese captured Lashio and cut this lifeline. During British Burma (1886-1948) the town was the administrative seat of the Northern Shan State. Its population is markedly multi-ethnic, with Shan, Bamar, Chinese, Indians and Kachin living side by side. In August 2024, in the course of Myanmar's civil war, the MNDAA alliance seized Lashio, marking a turning point in the country's north.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C161822252525242424221916
Rain mm21612367813617714989742113

Geography

Population
131,000 (2025)
Coordinates
22.93330, 97.75000

Facts

  • Bevölkerung ca. 132.000
  • Auf 855 m Höhe
  • 320 km nordöstlich von Mandalay
  • Endpunkt der Burma Road (1.154 km, 1937-1938)
  • Britisch-Birma 1886-1948
  • Japanische Eroberung April 1942
  • Multiethnisch: Shan, Bamar, Chinesen
  • MNDAA-Eroberung August 2024

Explore nearby

Notable places around

MuseMuse22 km · NWExplore →
Shweli 1 Hydropower StationShweli 1 Hydropower Station24 km · SWExplore →
105 Mile Trade Zone105 Mile Trade Zone27 km · NWExplore →
Shan HillsShan Hills40 km · NEExplore →
Salween RiverSalween River47 km · EExplore →
Kachin HillsKachin Hills47 km · SWExplore →
HsipawHsipaw50 km · SExplore →
MyitkyinaMyitkyina53 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Lashio (6)

လွတ်လပ်ရေးကျောက်တိုင်🏺 historical

A prominent obelisk in the center of Lashio commemorating Myanmar's independence.

ရတနာေဘာဓရံု🌿 nature

A viewpoint in Lashio offering broad vistas over the hilly landscape of northern Shan State.

Pan Ai Pagoda📍 landmark

A Buddhist pagoda in the Pan Ai district known for its traditional Shan style elements.

Su Taung Pyae Pagoda📍 landmark

A popular Buddhist pagoda in Lashio where devotees pray for the fulfillment of their wishes.

Nagar Yone Pagoda📍 landmark

A Buddhist pagoda featuring a Buddha image sheltered by a multi-headed Naga serpent.

Lashio Market🎭 culture

A bustling marketplace known for its selection of traditional Shan textiles and regional produce.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lashio located?
Lashio is located in the northern part of Shan State, near the border with China.
Is Lashio developed for tourism?
It is an important trading hub, but less of a typical tourist destination.
What is the climate like in Lashio?
Due to its altitude, there is a temperate and often cool mountain climate.
What can you do nearby?
You can visit hot springs and explore the ethnic diversity of the region.
What is the best way to travel there?
Travel is usually by bus from Mandalay, a winding but scenic route.
Lashio: where is it located?
Lashio is located in Myanmar (Burma).
Lashio: what is there to see?
Highlights include လွတ်လပ်ရေးကျောက်တိုင်, ရတနာေဘာဓရံု, Pan Ai Pagoda.
Lashio: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Nov.
Lashio: why is it worth visiting?
Lashio lies in northern Shan State at 855 metres altitude, 320 kilometres northeast of Mandalay close to the Chinese border, with around 132,000 inhabitants.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Muse — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Muse
An important border town in northern Shan State, characterized by heavy trade with China.
Taunggyi — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Taunggyi
The capital of Shan State, located on a ridge and known for its cool climate.
Putao — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Putao
A remote gateway to the Eastern Himalayas, famous for trekking, snow-capped peaks, and rare biodiversity.
Hsipaw — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Hsipaw
A relaxed town in the Shan highlands, famous for trekking to ethnic hill villages and its historic Shan Palace.
Kengtung — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Kengtung
A picturesque town in eastern Shan State, known for its traditional architecture and ethnic diversity.

History & landmarks

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
The most important sanctuary on Inle Lake, housing five small Buddha statues covered in gold leaf beyond recognition.

Nature

Salween River — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Salween River
One of Asia's longest free-flowing rivers, cutting through deep gorges in eastern Myanmar.
Inle Lake — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Inle Lake
A famous freshwater lake in Shan State, known for its floating villages and one-legged rowers.

More places

Shweli 1 Hydropower Station — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Shweli 1 Hydropower Station
A large hydropower project on the Shweli River in Shan State, contributing to the energy supply of both Myanmar and neighboring Chinese p…
🗺️
105 Mile Trade Zone
The largest and most important border crossing station on the border with China near Muse, handling the bulk of bilateral trade.
Shan Hills — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Shan Hills
A vast mountainous plateau that forms the eastern part of Myanmar, known for its deep gorges and distinct ethnic diversity.
Kakku Pagodas — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Kakku Pagodas
A remote religious complex in Shan State consisting of thousands of ancient stupas clustered closely together.
Inle Lake Floating Gardens — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Inle Lake Floating Gardens
Unique agricultural areas on Inle Lake where farmers grow tomatoes and other vegetables on floating islands.
Gokteik Viaduct — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Gokteik Viaduct
An impressive railway bridge from the British colonial era that crosses a deep gorge in Shan State.
Tigyit Coal Power Plant — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Tigyit Coal Power Plant
Myanmar's largest coal-fired power plant, located in southern Shan State, providing energy but often facing criticism for pollution.
Pindaya Caves — Lashio (Myanmar (Burma))
Pindaya Caves
A major pilgrimage site featuring an extensive limestone cave system that houses thousands of Buddha statues.