This small trading town is situated in the Shan hills. Although Kyaukme doesn’t receive much attention from tourists, it is a convenient place to take a break on the way from Mandalay to Namhsan.
Although there are no real attractions in or around the town, the local temple is pretty and worth visiting. A good way to kill an hour or two is by hiring a bicycle and cycling around the town. This is a good place to try traditional food and a cheap and tasty meal can be found at the local market.
A good time to visit Kyaukme is during one of the traditional festivals, when the usually sleepy town comes alive to celebrate with games, song, dance and much drinking. The people of Kyaukme are friendly and happy to share their colorful celebrations with foreigners.
Worth it? Only if you need to take a break on the journey between Mandalay and Namhsan.
What to do: meet local people, hire a bicycle and explore.
Best time to go: March to mid-May just after the heavy rainy season.
How Long? An hour or two is enough time to explore Kyaukme.
Getting there
The only way to reach Kyaukme is by bus. Fly into Mandalay International Airport and then take a bus directly from the large city bus station to Kyaukme (2 hours). Mandalay has air connections with Yangon, the main air gateway to Myanmar.
Kyaukme attractions
- Water Festival:people throw water during this festival in mid-April and the town really comes alive as everyone joins in the fun.