Location: Kengtung
Top Things to do in Kengtung
Top Restaurants in Kengtung
Top 10 Things to do in Kengtung, Myanmar
Kengtung (Shan: ၵဵင်းတုင်; Burmese: ကျိုင်းတုံမြို့; MLCTS: kyuing: tum mrui., pronounced [tɕáɪɴtòʊɴ mjo̰]; Thai: เชียงตุง, RTGS: Chiang Tung, pronounced [t͡ɕʰīa̯ŋ tūŋ]; also spelled Kyaingtong, Chiang Tung, Cheingtung, and Kengtong) is a town in Shan State, Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is the principal town of Kengtung Township. Kengtung is located on the National Highway 4 (NH4) and at the AH2 and AH3 of the Asian Highway.
Restaurants in Kengtung
1. Hill Tribe Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By yakyetiyak19 - Beijing, China
I thoroughly relished the chance to hike up to some of Kengtung's nearby hills and visit the hill tribe people. The villages you can reach on a day trip and back are all undergoing the same rapid change that's taking rest of the country by storm, albeit at varying speeds. More and more young people are decidedly choosing modern clothe over traditional costume, electricity is a constant need to not only fuel lights but the added necessity for communication via mobile phones, and tribal elderlies have developed a certain aptitude from familiarity to receiving foreign guests. All of which I'm absolutely fine with. Just like us, the tribal people around Kengtung are also having to face changes brought on by modernized living. For what it's worth, I do think the quality of your guide can play an important role in your visit. Language and knowledge is of utmost importance, but geniality and knowing understanding the needs of their clients is just as important. Out of the 5 nearby trekking routes, I wouldn't say any of them are particularly difficult treks if you hike often. Walking time range from 1 to 4-5 hours at most, depending on the route. Hills aren't too steep and there are clear paths. I did not go on the Loi Longhouse trek so that could potentially be more difficult.
One thing I do want to mention is a series of very strange exchanges that took place between myself and a reputable guide from the region. I had written ahead of time to inquire about price and route, but never confirmed my trip with him or to hire him. He followed up and I failed to reply for a week due to lack of Internet. Then a few more days later, he wrote me on his own initiative in a semi-threatening tone, all because I didn't end up hiring him for my trek. It's just plain creepy to say the least. I've posted our exchanges here so you can all judge for yourself.
All in all, I really enjoyed my time in Kengtung - the heart of Golden Triangle. Do try the assortment of Shan noodle, you won't find them better anywhere else than here.
2. Kengtung Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By hueyli2002 - Singapore, Singapore
There's all kinds of stuff here from food to household products to clothing to medication to money changer...It seems to be the central place where everyone gather to purchase things. One can also notice villagers in hill tribe costumes doing their marketing here. It's a good place to soak in the busy atmosphere of the local life.
3. Naung Tung Lake
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff206 - Samut Prakan, Thailand
This lake is located right near the center of town and although Kengtung (or Kyaing Tong as it's more commonly known), is rather cool because of it's altitude, there was still a nice breeze coming off of the water when I went to view it. There is a small walkway all the way around the perimeter of the lake as well as benches so one can enjoy themselves. I sat there in the late morning and again returned in the evening just to take everything in. It's really a nice peaceful little town. I only walked around maybe around a quarter of the lake sine it's actually a bit larger than meets the eye.
Directions? It's actually quite easy to find and from the Wat Pha Jao Lung, just follow any of the roads to the south, down to the bottom of the hill and you're there. You can't miss this lake as it's noticeable from different angles of the town.
4. Yat Taw Mu Bouddha
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By GreenSeasonTravel - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar
This Buddha Image is quite huge and visible from far away. One of the attractions in Keng Tung when you are visiting there. A little museum is located near the pagoda too where visitors can learn about different hill tribes' cultures, ways of life and their accessories used at home. It's peaceful place and good for photography and a monastery with little monks are close by the Buddha Image too.
5. Wat Pha Jao Lung
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff206 - Samut Prakan, Thailand
This temple almost acts like a roundabout, conjoins with five little dirt roads, and is located right near the center of the town. The interior is highly decorated in lots of burgundy and gold paint and has neat ornate Buddhist paintings on the walls. Also, it can be noted that the main Buddha image inside is a supposed to be a replica of the Maha Myat Muni Buddha in Mandalay. In the mornings, traditional music was played from the temples' speakers that were mounted on the roof! Very cool to hear each day that I was there!
6. Wat Zom Kham
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Six (or eight) of Buddha's hairs are enshrined in this temple's famous Shwedagon Pagoda.
Reviewed By Jeff206 - Samut Prakan, Thailand
Before taking this trip, I had done a little research and noticed in all the pictures that showed Kengtung, it always showed a lake and this big stupa atop a big hill. It can also be noted that awhile back this pagoda had actually been painted white but for some reason was changed to gold at more recent time.
Either way, it's still impressive and has a bunch of little things to look at.
When I was there, a senior monk was teaching a group of little monks in a small open classroom like area, and a short while after that, I saw the same group of little monks chanting in the main monastery.
Overall it was a very nice pagoda and I had the whole place to myself when I was there!
To get there, just follow the golden spire! Actually, the town is quite small and all one has to do is walk about ten minutes west up the road from where Wat Pha Jao Lung is.
From there, there is a street on the right hand side. Just follow the road up the hill and you will arrive at the the temple.
7. Dhat Zoam Doi Monastery
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Danaiya T - Bangkok
Renown by the respected head monk who is not only taking care of a lot of young monks, but also is the guidance-like for many local and non-local followers. The scenery is nice and the architecture is outstanding.
8. Pin Tauk Waterfall
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Lynne1944 - Bowral
Our guide had taken us on a steep climb up to the Akha village above this site on a very hot steamy day. In this serene area we could hear the rushing water from quite a distance and it was lovely to leave the main road and take a narrow path down into this cool oasis. Perched on large rocks below the waterfall and beside the burbling stream we had a great picnic lunch of local food. This is a must visit after a hot trek and the dirt/mud dust of a visit to this hill tribe village.
Overall Ratings
3 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Julia H - Lakewood, Colorado
My driver took me out to see this place at the end of a lovely day. What you see is a big pool of water so hot that it would kill you to get into it and the pool is surrounded by barbed wire. Next to it is a bubbling pool with far less of same, in which women put baskets of eggs to boil. You can purchase said eggs and a great deal of chips and liquor along the walkway just above the pools where you can also find some very unfriendly dogs. You can go sit in some pools in enclosed facilities, oine hopes they are slightly less emphatically heated by the earth's core, but by this time I had lost interest in the sulphurous sendoff that we were getting. This area has so much more to offer. Not worth the trip.
10. Water Buffalo Market
Overall Ratings
2 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Xavnl - Hooge zwaluwe
If you stay in Kyaing Tung the day there is the buffalo market, go and have a look ( it's every 5 days). Do not have any regrets if you miss it, there are much more beautiful things to do.
