Keng Tong

Keng Tong is 86 km from Mongla on the Chinese border and 162 km from Tachileik on the Thai border. Keng Tong is thus within striking distance of destinations in the Golden Triangle area. Although Keng Tong - Tarchileik road is open for tourist traveller, as yet local authorities allow travel from Tachileik direct to Taunggyi only by air via Heho. Keng Tong is situated at 2710 feet above sea level surrounded by a panorama of jostling mountain peaks. The area is held be of greater interest than the Heho valley because of the 34 clusters of villages scatted throughout the surrounding mountains. In the opinion of one recent visitor Keng Tong has more to offer than Kalaw.

Trekking enthusiasts can make trips into the mountains to observe various ethnic groups. I have already selected trekking routes to enable tourists to witness the lifestyles of ethnic minorities and enjoy the natural beauty of mountains, forests and waterfalls. Routes through rough and gentle terrain alike are available to suit varying physical abilities. Known as the "Shan capital" Keng Tong’s population is predominantly Khun. Also found here are communities of Akha, Wa, Lwe, Enn, Lahu, Lishaw, Palaung and Akhi. Some Akha people reside on the flat land surrounding Keng Tong other live away in the mountains. The Mountain Akha still proudly wear traditional clothing everyday. Trekkers can enjoy full day excursions to these mountain Akha villages. Like the Akha, the Lahu and Lishaw are also found both on the plain and in the mountains. Unlike the Akha, however they may be seen wearing either traditional clothing or more modern jeans and shirts. They are happy to do traditional costume of tourists want to take photographs. If the visit coincides with the New year celebration and the traditional eating of the first rice crop, visitor will be welcome to watch the villagers perform the village dance in full traditional costume. The villagers will feed their guests and give them locally produced liquor as a sign of hospitality. This unsolicited generosity comes as quit a surprise to some tourists.

Because Keng Tong is an area seldom visited by tourists curious visitor to village may find themselves surrounded by equally curious village people. Tourist ravenous from their uphill hike are provided with local food and liquor and may find the overwhelming generosity and hospitality of the village people both revisit aliasing and touching. Often, they feel they would rather stay and live in the village, and learn about the village way of life than return to their hotels.

The "Enn" are an ethnic group which tourists have found particularly interesting labeling them the "Black Teeth" on account of their consistent betel chewing habit. They are also distributed throughout the palms and the mountains. All the Enn wear traditional clothing.

The Palaung people are found on the plains surrounding Keng Tong withing three or four miles of the town. Like the Akha, they usually wear traditional clothing. Typically three or four Palaung families live together in one house. However, each family uses a separate kitchen in the same house. According to the legend the original Khun are in fact said to have been 13th century migrants from Chiang Mai and their rulers claim to be descendants of the lanna. (or Lan Na Thai. Million Thai Rice - fields dynasty.) Before the Khun began paying tribute to the Myanmar under King Anawrahta, they had own independent kingdom.

Another tourist attraction is the water Buffalo Market. The market is situated on the left hand side of the road leaving Keng Tong for Taunggyi on the southern side of the town. Because water buffalos are not found in many countries, the twice - weekly market excites considerable interest. Keng Tong water buffalo are remarkable for their large size and pinkish skin while water buffalo in other parts of Myanmar are smaller and black - skinned.

Tourists who are fond of lacquer ware can purchase designable lacquer ware of high quality made in Keng Tong. The method used to make lacquer ware in Keng Tong is similar to that of Bagan, Mandalay and Kyaukka, but the shapes of the objects produced are slightly different through the craftsmanship is in no way inferior. They are as skillfully crafted. The ingredients used are slightly different. Prices are high because the real gold leaf used. The central market bustles daily from 6 to 11 in the morning. People from the surrounding mountains wearing traditional clothing gather in the market to buy and sell.

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