Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar. It is bordered by China to the north and east; Shan State to the south; and Sagaing Division and India to the west. It lies between north latitude 23° 27' and 28° 25' longitude 96° 0' and 98° 44' . The area of Kachin State is 34,379 sq. miles. The capital of the state is Myitkyina. Other important towns include Bhamo.
Kachin State has Myanmar’s highest mountain, Hkakabo Razi, at 5889 meters in height, forming the southern tip of the Himalayas, and Myanmar’s largest lake, Indawgyi Lake. Hkakabo Razi is Southeast Asia's highest mountain, located in the northern Myanmar state of Kachin. The peak is enclosed within Hkakabo Razi National Park. It is entirely mountainous and is characterized by broad-leaved evergreen rain forest, a sub-tropical temperate zone from 8,000 ft. to 9,000 ft. Indawgyi Lake is the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia. It is located in Mohnyin Township in the Kachin State of Myanmar. The lake measures 8 miles east to west, and 15 miles north to south. There are over 20 villages around the lake. The predominant ethnic groups living in the surroundings of the lake are the Shan and the Kachin, who mainly practise agriculture.
Myitkyina - Kachin State
Myitkyina is the capital and centrally located in the Kachin State. It is the northern most railway terminal, 919 miles from Yangon and 487 miles from Mandalay. Visitors can tour the Myit Sone, the confluence of Maikha and Malikha Streams. Ayeyarwady, the most useful river in Myanmar has its source from this confluence and flows 1325 miles to the mouth of the river. The water over here is crystal clear.
The panoramic view of the scenario at Myit Sone with the unspoiled beauty of nature is beyond the expression of words and will definitely be a fine attraction to tourists. Myitkyina can be reached by road, rail, river and air. Different tribes of national races live in harmony with their own cultures, customs, dialects, dances and lifestyles. The glittering costumes with silver trinkets of the charming Kachin belles would be an enchanting sight. For souvenir the Kachin woollen bag with silver trinkets would be a memorable gift. The overland trade route to India and China and World War II supply line to China along the Ledo Road pass through Myitkyina. For mountaineering enthusiasts, expeditions to Mount Khaka Bo Razi and Mount Gam Lan Razi would be an adventure.
At the edge of the town, by the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy, gold-painting and mining goes on relentlessly day and night. Abotu 25 miles to the north of the town, is some of Myanmar's most beautiful and important natural beauty spots, in the cradle of the Ayeyarwaddy, where Maykha and Malikha rivers meet, usually called the Myit-son.
Putao - Kachin State
Situated in the north of Myitkyina, the capital city of Kachin state, can reach only by air route. The city surrounded with snow peaked mountains and the weather is cold around the year. Flora and Fauna can be seen in the forest around Putao. There are also many different ethnic minority tribes in Kachin state. It is the nearest town to the base camp for Climbing Mt. Khakhaborazi (5889 metres), which is the highest mountain in Myanmar and in Southeast Asia. Putao is the starting point for Myanmar's most adventurous trekking adventures.
Flowing streams and rivulets, straw-roofed houses and fences of pebbles and creek stones provide a pleasant, pastoral contrast to the scenes and sights of modern cities. The suspension bridges are the typical river crossing in this region. People of the Rawan, Lisu, Khamti-Shan, Jingphaw and Kachin are represented in the region.
This area is famous for its Nature of originated Flora, especially there are many various kinds of orchids and even the world rarest Black orchids can be found in this area. And for fauna, one of the rarest animal species, (Budorcas Taxicolor), Red Panda (Ailurus Fulgens), Black Bears, Black Deer, are all endemic to this region.
Other terrestrial species of Monkeys, Boars, Mountain Goats can also seen on this region. Various kinds of Butterflies can be seen in this area on the month of January. The Butterflies including such as an endangered species can be found, among them are Kaiser, Apollo, Bhutan, Glory and ngs.
The trees such as different colors of Rhododendrons, Maple trees and various kinds of Bamboos are also seen in this area. The month of January and April is the best month to see the butterflies, flowers and orchids in the icy forest.
Inndawgyi Shwe Myinzu Pagoda - Kachin State
It lies on the sandbank named Linlon about 1,500 feet from the west bank of Indawgyi in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State. In the 1 lth century, Sayadaw U Nyi Hsu of Taung Thonlone in Indawgyi set out from Hpa Nan Mon areas with dis¬ciples endowed with sila, samadhi, metta and Kammathana, conveying the three stones. When they got to the venue of the pagoda he set up his staff on the sandbank and strengthened its position with the three stones. As instructed by U Nyi Hsu, Sayadaw U Thawbita laid the foundation of the pagoda on 1230 new year day. Then, five relics were obtained from the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon on 13th waxing moon day of Kason (22-4-1869) and conveyed on the boat in a gold casket to be enshrined there on the platform. The pagoda was completed on the 6th waxing moon day of Kason. The height was over 15 feet. Further renovations brought the height to 50 feet with a base about 39 feet 10 inches. The pagoda was built with different terraces each adorned with stone statues. There are also 152 satellite pagodas. It lies resplendent in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State.
Kawn Moo Lon Golden Sambur King Pagoda - Kachin State
It us situated in Kham Ti Lung area 12 miles from Machambaw, ten miles east of Putao, on east bank of Malikha River) in Kachin State, northernmost of Myanmar. It was one of 84000 pagodas built by Thiri Dhamma Thawka the great king, enshrining three relics under the tutelage of Thatitha Arahantha, at the place of demise of the king of sambur that was the embryo-Buddha left on Hinthagon (Ngun Pik) Hill many existences ago. In the east entrance are an image of Kakusana Buddha, Matali nat and Manuthiha, in the north an image of Gonaguna Buddha, king of nats, and king of wuns, in the west an image of Kassapha Buddha, Wathondaray guardian of the earth, and figure of a lion, in the south an image of Gautama Buddha, a figure of an ogre and a king of tigers. In the south-east are a satellite pagoda and an image of Arimetreya.
Loka Manaung Wish-granting Pagoda - Kachin State
It is the oldest pagoda in Myitkyina, Kachin State. It was built by King Alaung Sithu in Sakarit 454 enshrining Buddha relics from Mizzima Detha, north of Thaya-gon Village on west bank of Ayeyarwady, south of Namhsan Creek while on tour of the country. In 1125, under the reign of King Sinbyushin, the major commanding the left flank while on his way to vanquish the enemies camped at the Thayagon Village, found the pagoda and had repairs done to it. In 1294, the banks of Ayeyarwady were eroded by the water-erosion and so Sayadaw U Eithara and Sayadaw U Nyana salvaged the relics of the pagoda and transferred the pagoda to 50 arm lengths from the river. The second world war came and it was brought down and covered with overgrowth but the relics were found in radiance at nights. So Wuntho Sayadaw U Sandimar and Sayadaw U Thawbana salvaged the relics and rebuilt it for the third time in 1316.