Hsipaw in Myanmar: 3 Reasons Why You Should Go

{GUESTBLOG} Tourism is growing in Myanmar and the country is developing. Many people only visit the main tourist attractions as Bagan, Yangon, Mandalay and Inle Lake. Those are beautiful places, but if you prefer more nature and a nice quiet place, you should go to Hsipaw. Hsipaw is awesome and here are 3 reasons why.

1. The train ride from Mandalay to Hsipaw

Okay, there’s only one disadvantage: the train leaves at 4 am. But it’s definitely worth it! When you jump in the train it’s still dark outside so you can’t see anything. Because of that, you can sleep the first 2-3 hours in your comfy first class seat. The train ride will take 11 hours and prepare yourself for a bumpy ride. On your way you’ll be amazed by beautiful views and very friendly Birmese people who will sell you something to eat or drink. We bought fresh strawberries and they were delicious. One of the scariest but also best parts of the ride is crossing the Goteik Viaduct which is the highest bridge in Myanmar. In 1900 when the bridge was completed, it even was the largest railway trestle in the world.
Note: Don’t forget to bring your passport when you want to buy the ticket in Mandalay.

2. The area of Hsipaw is beautiful

Hsipaw is famous for its beautiful surroundings. It’s easy to rent a motorbike and explore the area by yourself. The small villages and the countryside are gorgeously. There are a couple of places in Hsipaw where you can book a trekking. We booked our 80km 3-day trek (80$) at Lily Guesthouse (now called Lily the Home). First I didn’t know if it was a great idea since I only did a trekking once before in Thailand, and that was an easy one. This one was a hard one. The first day we had to walk 9 hours, the second day 8 hours and the last day 7 hours. We wouldn’t see any other tourists and we didn’t. It was definitely an amazing experience. The views are stunning and the people in the villages a little shy but very friendly. We did a homestay and since I was the only girl in our group I had to sleep in another home, separate from the men. That morning I woke up with the best sound ever. Kids shouting: “Lady, lady, wake up, wake up!”. I think our guide learned them those words. Because of the ricewine I slept well on my bamboo mattress. Also we had the best food. The trekking was definitely one of the best things I experienced in Myanmar.

3. Hsipaw has a backpackers atmosphere

After Bagan and Mandalay, Hsipaw is laidback. It’s a small town where you can sip your drink next to the Myitnge river. There’s also a nice market where you can shop some fresh fruit and veggies. You can enjoy the view while having breakfast at the rooftop terrace at Lily Guesthouse or enjoy the best fruit shakes (1$) at Mr. Shake. And those shakes taste even better after a 3 day hike, trust me!

About Jelisa from Stories of a Farang:

After high school I went to South Africa to volunteer. During the weekends we had the possibility to go somewhere else. For the first time I met travelers and they told me the best stories ever. That was when I decided I wanted to go traveling too. After almost 5 years of studying, I treated myself on a one way ticket to Bangkok. I didn’t have a plan. Six months and five countries later I came back to the Netherlands. Traveling made me the happiest I’ve ever been and it’s definitely the best decision I ever made. Back home I decided to share my stories while saving for my next (2-years) travel plan.