Shan State is a state of Myanmar. Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south, and five administrative divisions of Burma in the west. The state gets its name from Burmese name for the Tai people: “Shan people”. The Shan constitute the majority among several ethnic groups that inhabit the area. Shan is largely rural, with only three cities of significant size: Lashio, Kengtung, and the capital, Taunggyi. Taunggyi is 150.7 km northeast of the nation’s capital Naypyitaw. Shan State is the unitary successor state to the Burmese Shan States, the princely states that were under some degree of control of the Irrawaddy valley-based Burmese kingdoms.Historical Tai-Shan states extended well beyond the Burmese Shan States, ranging from full-fledged kingdoms of Assam in the northwest to Lan Xang in the east, to Lan Na and Ayutthaya in the southeast, as well as several petty princely states in between, covering present-day northern Chin State, northern Sagaing Division, Kachin State, Kayah State in Myanmar as well as Laos, Thailand and the southwestern part of Yunnan, China.
Shan State, Myanmar, offers an array of truly marvelous scenes that captivate the senses and ignite the imagination. As the sun rises over the mist-shrouded Shan Hills, casting an ethereal glow upon the emerald landscape, a sense of tranquility washes over you. Inle Lake's floating gardens provide a unique spectacle, where farmers tend to vibrant crops amidst the serene waters, and skilled leg-rowing fishermen ply their trade. The Pindaya Caves beckon with their mystical allure, housing countless glistening Buddha statues that catch the play of light and shadow. Venture further to Kakku, where ancient golden stupas rise from the verdant forests, blending the natural and the spiritual in harmonious splendor.
Shan has several pagodas of extreme importance. The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda or the Golden Rock Pagoda is the most important and visited by pilgrims all over the world. Other important pagodas include Kyaik Paw Law Pagoda, Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda, Win Sein Taw Ya Pagoda and Kyauktalone Taung Pagoda.
Shan State has several cities worth a visit. Mawlamyine is the third largest city of Myanmar, an erstwhile capital of the British empire. The Kyaik Than Lan Pagoda is a popular landmark in the town, built in 875 AD. Another city to visit is Thaton, a town located between two rivers. Filled with an interesting history, Thaton is an old town where you can see the remnants of the palace.
Summer season, usually clear mornings, after hazy skies, warm during the day but comfortably cool in the mornings and evenings. Temperatures steadily increase during these months. The average temperature would be between low 10/15 degrees and high 20/35 degrees Celsius. Some rain showers can be expected during these months.
Rainy season, still fascinating for those interested in the flora and fauna of the region and the best season to scale Mt. Hkakaborazi, which is otherwise not possible to scale during winter due to heavy snowfall on the mountains. The average temperature during this period would be between low 18/20 degrees and high 28/30 degrees Celsius with high humidity.
Inle Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Nyaungshwe Township of Shan State, part of Shan Hills in Myanmar (Burma).
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Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery is considered the oldest and largest one among the Inle lake community. This wooden temple was built on stilts among the floating gardens at least 200 years ago.
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The Pindaya Caves is located next to the town of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) are a Buddhist pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction located on a limestone ridge in the Myelat region.
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The Goteik viaduct is a railway trestle in Nawnghkio, western Shan State, Myanmar (also known as Burma)
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Shwe Oo Min Pagoda is a winding complex of natural caves and tunnels filled with buddha images set high on a limestone ridge above Pone Taloke Lake near Pindaya town.
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The Sulamani Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the village of Minnanthu (southwest of Bagan) in Myanmar. The temple is one of the most-frequently visited in Bagan.
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Inle Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Nyaungshwe Township of Shan State, part of Shan Hills in Myanmar (Burma).
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Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery is considered the oldest and largest one among the Inle lake community. This wooden temple was built on stilts among the floating gardens at least 200 years ago.
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The Pindaya Caves is located next to the town of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) are a Buddhist pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction located on a limestone ridge in the Myelat region.
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The Goteik viaduct is a railway trestle in Nawnghkio, western Shan State, Myanmar (also known as Burma).
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Shwe Oo Min Pagoda is a winding complex of natural caves and tunnels filled with buddha images set high on a limestone ridge above Pone Taloke Lake near Pindaya town.
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The Sulamani Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the village of Minnanthu (southwest of Bagan) in Myanmar. The temple is one of the most-frequently visited in Bagan.
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The Pa-O tribe of Shan State celebrates this harvest festival in March at the Kekku Ancient Pagoda Complex. People of the tribe would gather at the pagoda just to celebrate a successful harvest.
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Shan is the second main ethnic group in Myanmar after Burma. Shan group is also a very important and powerful group. Most of the Shan people are live primarily in Shan State where is in eastern part of Myanmar and minority inhabit parts of Mandalay Region, Kachin State, and Kayin State.
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By Dluffy
What a great little find! Good location to walk into town to truck station to get up the mountain, that is an experience one must do! Rooms here were very comfortable, clean, hot water and large. The restaurant with the complimentary breakfast was beautiful, a great “feeling” from its ambience. We will certainly be back!
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By Stephen R
Amazing place, amazing customer service, the women at the reception desk went above and beyond to help us organise our daily trip around Mawlamyine including dish and restaurant recommendations. They also organized our boat ride to Hpa An. Friendly and warm. Great vibe, clean rooms. A get-away from the fuss!
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By MLaurel_Jans
We really liked the La Maison Birmane Boutique Hotel. It has lovely gardens and we had a great room. There were a few negatives.The wifi was temperamental and unreliable.The room did not have a mirror, power point and a light situated together, making shaving (me) or putting on makeup (my wife) awkward. The breakfast was OK but not great.
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By David
Pretty good. Value worth it. It would be better they install another layer of curtain. The sun was raised around 6 and intrudes my eyes although the curtain was closed. Service is good. The room is clean and big even for standard room.
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By Mgkaung
Since I stayed last time, there is huge improvement in breakfast. Rooms & other facilities are fine except bathroom. Still the same issue which I complain earlier. Shower doesn't work properly. Bath tub tab is always running even though you start shower. Because of that you can't bath. Water spill everywhere after bath. Need bath curtain. Management need to check & correct.
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