Happy TravellerWelcome to Taunggyi, the capital and largest city of Shan State, Myanmar. Located on the Thazi-Kyaingtong road at an elevation of 4,712 feet, Taunggyi is a city surrounded by mountain ranges and is famous for its hot air balloon festival held annually on the full moon day of Tazaungmon. The city has an estimated population of 380,665 as of 2014 and is the fifth largest city in Myanmar.
The name Taunggyi means huge mountain in the Burmese language, and is named after the ridge on the east of the city, part of the Shan Hills system, whose prominent high point is called Taung-chun or The Spur. Locally this spur is popularly known as Phaya Taung. The ridge has a more prominent and more popular feature known as Chauk Talone, meaning the Craigs.
Prior to British colonisation, Taunggyi was a small village of a few huts. The area lay on a wide shoulder of the Sittaung Hills of the Shan Hills and was populated by the Shan people at the time. During British occupation, the town became the chief city and capital of the Southern Shan States. Taunggyi’s modern development began in 1894, when the British moved their administrative offices from Maing Thauk (Fort Stedman) on the eastern shores of Inle Lake to the higher elevation of Taunggyi, for health and geographical reasons.
Taunggyi is at an elevation of 4,712 feet above sea level and has a humid subtropical climate. There is a winter dry season (December–March) and a summer wet-season (April–November). Temperatures are very warm throughout the year; the winter months (December–February) are milder but the nights can be quite cool.
The main access to Taunggyi is by the mountainous road. A railway line that passes through Taunggyi was recently built in 1995, but at the moment it offers no passenger service to Taunggyi. Regular railway passenger service to the rest of the country is through the town of Shwenyaung, 12 miles (19 km) to the west. The nearest airport is Heho Airport, 24 mi (39 km) about an hour driving distance, by road to the west of Taunggyi. Heho Airport has regular flights to Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan.
Taunggyi is the melting pot for the Myelat area of the Shan State. Like in most of Myanmar, influence of Buddhism is most evidenced by the monasteries scattered throughout the city. However, being a relatively new city, the monasteries are not of historical significance and architecturally not unique. There is also a significant Christian population, as the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Taunggyi the St. Josephs Cathedral and its associated seminary are the main facilities, as well as a Baptist church. Four mosques serve the Muslim communities of the city. Among four mosques, Panthay mosque serves the Chinese Panthay Muslims mainly. The other mosques are for large population of Burmese Muslims. There are also a few temples serving the Chinese Buddhist community.
The Taunggyi celebration of the Tazaungdaing Festival, a national holiday marking the end of the rainy season, has achieved international notoriety. Balloons with large fireworks displays attached are sent airborne – but if they don’t rise quickly enough, the pyrotechnics rocket back towards to crowds – sending people scattering. Videos of balloons engulfed in flames exploding amongst onlookers have become wildly popular on YouTube. There were nine people injured in 2018, two deaths and 12 injuries in 2017, and four deaths in 2014.
The Taunggyi area is a popular tourist destination. The city itself has an interesting five-day market, where farmers from around the area would come to the Taunggyi on market day and sell fresh produce in the open market, but with more development of the city, the significance of market day has been lessened. However, the market-day tradition continues strong in the outlying small towns. Nearby, Inle Lake is the home of the unique Intha culture. Inlay is famous for its traditional crafts industry and floating markets that are accessible via traditional longboats. The most unique thing is that Intha row the boat with their leg. On the way to the Pindaya Caves provides visitors with a good view of the Myelat countryside. Near Taunggyi, in Kekku, there are hundreds of stupas which dates back to 16th century.
Taunggyi is a city with a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and unique cultural experiences. Whether you’re interested in exploring the local markets, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges, or experiencing the excitement of the Tazaungdaing Festival, Taunggyi has something for everyone. Come and discover the hidden gem of Shan State, Myanmar.
