Must-See Places / Souvenirs
Keng Tung! See Our Past in Our Present
1. Naung Tong Lake
In ancient times, Keng Tung was built up around this natural Naung Tong Lake. The lake lies in the center of town, with a 1,900m-long scenic walking path circling the lake. Many legends and historical facts regarding the lake were passed down making the lake the symbol and pride of the town.According to legend, 12 years after Gawpala became ruler of Sanda Wazi (Keng Tung), Buddha appeared in the area with his disciples. At the time, the whole area was flooded and had become a great lake – Damilat Lake. Buddha spoke to Ananda, one of his disciples, and prophesied that one day after his death a hermit from a northern country would come to this place and drain the lake and build a city which would be populated with three kinds of people. He also said that the city would be blessed with abundant food and water. Legend has it that 150 years after Buddha’s death, four hermits who were all sons of a powerful Chinese king arrived near Damilat Lake. The oldest, named Tongarathe, used his supernatural and drained most of the lake and built a town on its shores. After some years, all the brothers went back to China and the Lwa people came to live there until the Khuns arrived. Today Shan’s Tai-Khun are the largest people group in the Keng Tung area.With the pretty hills surrounding the lake backed by mountains in the distance circling the Keng Tung Basin, the shore of Naung Tong Lake is a pleasant place to exercise or relax, especially when there is a nice breeze coming off the water. It is a peaceful place to watch the sun go down.
2. Jom Kham Temple and Sunn Taung Monastery
The 38m-high pagoda of Jom Kham temple (also called Wat Zom Khum) sits on a hill on the northeastern side of Naung Tong Lake. It can easily be spotted from any part of the lake. It is said to be one the oldest existing Buddhist structures in town and dates back to the 13th century. According to legend, Keng Tung was built on a former lakebed and the pagoda was built on this hill to enshrine six strands of Buddha’s hair. Visitors can enjoy the prayer hall with its golden walls, the paintings of Buddha stories, and a lovely glass mosaic work. A peek into the monks’ daily life in the monastery may be an interesting and worthwhile experience.
3. Wat In Temple and Monastery
According to legend, in AD 821, Nai Samawon, the chief of Wat Par Phyu Village, spearheaded a project to build a buddha image. The forming of the image was easily completed except for the head. When the craftsmen were not satisfied with the outcome of their own work, they offered 100 pieces of beeswax to the guardian-spirits, asking for help. Twelve days later, on the Kasone Full Moon day, an old man with white hair and a beard, dressed in white, appeared and guided them in fixing the image. It is believed to this day that the guardian-spirits disguised themselves as a human being and helped in the making of this beautiful Buddha image of Wat In.
4. Maha Myat Muni Temple
Also known as Wat Pra Sao Luang, the Maha Myat Muni Temple is a classic Shan-style Wat (Buddhist temple) with its walls and ceiling richly decorated in gold lacquer. It is considered to be one of the major Buddhist sites of Shan State. Located in the middle of a traffic roundabout, it enshrines a replica of the original and most famous Mahamuni Buddha image in Mandalay. The gold replica was commissioned by KENG TUNG’s 43rd Sawbwa (ruler) Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng. Cast in 1921 in Mandalay, it was then transported by bullock cart through the mountains of Shan and by rafts across the Thanlwin River, and finally to Keng Tung – a journey well over 700km. It was consecrated in 1926.
5. Wat Ho Khone
The Wat Ho Khone is a temple and monastery situated across the street from the famous Maha Myat Muni Temple. The Shan-style Wat has the influence of 13th century Wats of the Shan Lanna Kingdom. The temple was founded in 1369. One can enter the temple prayer hall of Ho Khone where the atmosphere is tranquil and peaceful. The simple teak structure has walls and ceilings of beautiful dull gold lacquer. The novice monks here are cute and friendly.
6. Mausoleums of the Keng Tung Kings
In the 13th century King Mang Rai of Chiang Mai's Lanna Kingdom conquered this area. He dispatched princes and monks to take control of Keng Tung and built a fortified city. Since then, the descendants of King Mang Rai reigned over Keng Tung until 1962. Known as the Sawbwa (lord of the heavens), these rulers paid tribute to the Lanna Kingdom (Chiang Mai Dynasty), or the kings or emperors of Burma or China depending on the period.This cemetery is the resting place for successive Sawbwas from Sao Maha Hkanan the 38th, up to the 45th and last Sawbwa, Sao Sai Long. The largest of the eight mausoleums here belongs to the 43rd Sawbwa, Sao Kaung Kaio Intaleng. He reigned for 38 years until his death in 1935.
7. Yat Taw Mu Standing-Buddha
With its outstretched hand pointing dramatically towards Naung Tong Lake, the Standing-Buddha statue is located on Som Sak Hill overlooking the lake. Its ritual name is "Khemarattha Prophesying Mudra Buddha Statue." The 20m-high standing Buddha is one of the distinctive landmarks of Keng Tung, and was commissioned by General Thein Sein in 1997, who was then commander of the area and later became Myanmar’s President. The project began at the site where some ancient, small sculptures of Buddha were excavated the previous year. Its construction was completed in the year 2000. According to the legend of the origin of Keng Tung, Buddha and forty-nine of his followers visited Som Sak Hill and prophesied that in the future a thriving city would be founded in the area. The pointing position of Buddha symbolizes prophecy.
8. Keng Tung Culture Museum
This small museum is near the statue of Yat Taw Mu Standing-Buddha on Som Sak Hill. In addition to the costumes of ethnic minorities living in Eastern Shan State, the museum displays traditional costumes from all over Myanmar.
Lacquerware used by successive Sawbwas of Shan, traditional instruments, Pe-Sar (writings on palm leaves using a pointed iron stylus with ink) and Parabaik (a folding-book with documents written on Shan paper) are also on display. The most noteworthy items may be the many votive tablets unearthed at the Som Sak Hill during the 1994~1995 excavations.
9. Keng Tung Buddha Park and Sitting-Buddha
The park is located about 21km east of Keng Tung, close to the village of Pan Kwai, which is near the highway between Keng Tung and Tachileik. At the entrance of the garden, there is the large sitting-Buddha sculpture. Its ritual name is "Abhaya Raza Muni Buddha Image." The height of the sitting-Buddha is 22m; it sits on a lotus flower pedestal which is approximately 2m high; the main pedestal under the lotus flower is about 4m high. The garden contains other points of beauty such as flower gardens, shrines, a poetry monument and Buddhist sculptures for the enjoyment of pilgrims and tourists.
10. Roman Catholic Mission
Around 1912, during the British colonial rule, Italian missionaries pioneered this work in eastern Shan state. Ever since, the mission has been providing education for the hill tribes and delivering health care and humanitarian assistance, including operating a leper colony and an orphanage.On the compound of the Roman Catholic Mission remain a few handsome century-old colonial era buildings. The mission is behind the Yat Taw Mu Standing Buddha on the Som Sak Hill overlooking Naung Tong Lake.
11. Pa Daeng Old City Gate
Keng Tung, meaning "Walled City of Tong", became a fortified city sometime after the first Shan Sawbwa, Mang Kun, began his rule in 1243. A dry ditch and a brick-and-mud wall surrounded the town. The 3m-high walls ran for about 8 km surrounding the town. Within the walls are 9 ponds/lakes, providing the city with abundant water. In 1819, the 38th Sawbwa, Sao Maha Hkanan began to renovate the walls and build 12 city gates. The Pa Daeng Gate was fixed in 1833. Today, only sections of the ancient city walls and gates remain. Pa Daeng Gate is the only gate remaining of the twelve.
12. Lone Tree Hill Park
On the hill of Som Moan, south of Keng Tung's Central Market, there is a huge tree towering in isolation, called the "Lone Tree" by the town's people. According to legend, in 1386, Sao Sit Pan Tu, the 9th generation Sawbwa of Keng Tung, planted it as testimony to his bond with his two brothers. It is a resin tree (Dipterocarpus Alatus), nearly 70m high, and 12m around the base. According to the legend the tree is over 600 years old. The panoramic view of Keng Tung from the hill is fantastic, but most magical when seen during sunset.
13. Keng Tung Waterfall
This 33m-high waterfall is located near Hoyang Village, about 24 km northwest of Keng Tung. Visitors enjoy playing in the pool beneath the falls, photography and picnicking. The surrounding park has an observation deck for viewing the stunning scenery: the gently sloped terraced rice-paddies spreading below, with narrow dirt roads connecting the villages in the distance, and the eastern mountain range which spans the Keng Tung Basin.The area has recently been renovated with restaurants and a hotel, and has become a popular spot for domestic tourism.
14. Central Market
KENG TUNG’s Central Market is full of wonderful sights, sounds and smells. It is an incredible place to wander and soak in the busy atmosphere and watch people in the routine of their daily lives. People are friendly and return smiles – a great photo opportunity. For the foreign visitor, it is maybe one of the most fascinating markets in Myanmar.
15. Naung Nguin Village
This 170-year-old village is located 6 km northeast of Keng Tung, on the road to Mong Lah. The village monastery has a 160-year-old stone monument. The village is home to over 500 people, mainly of the Tai-Nu Shan. The traditional Shan style houses featuring wooden structures on posts, brick and mud walls and clay-tile roofs make it a popular spot for foreign visitors.
16. Mong Noan Hnee Temple
15 km from Mong Khat, in Pa Kan Village, the Mong Noan Hnee Temple enshrines a Buddha image called "Pa Kyauk In San" in the local Shan (Tai-Yai) language. According to legend, the temple was built by villagers in 1339 after the bamboo image was woven and formed by guardian-spirits.Around the full-moon in November each year, the temple's festival is held by villagers and is open to visitors as well. Mong Khat is 80 km from Keng Tung. Travelers can make a day-trip from Keng Tung.
17. Loi Mwe Hill Station
Loi Mwe, 28 km to the east of Keng Tung, was the seat of the British District Commissioner during the colonial period (1897-1948). Loi Mwe means "Misty Mountain" and it is situated in the mountain range around 1,600m above sea level. It is said that the climate used to be cooler than now, and it even snowed in winter. The colonial remnants appear in lovely brick churches and buildings. Those interested in British colonial history in Myanmar and colonial architecture will enjoy this hill station while getting some fresh mountain air. The beautiful Catholic church here is still in use today, and visitors may encounter faithful Akha Sisters praying. In February, visitors may see the blooming cherry trees surrounding Loi Mwe Lake. Perhaps the main attraction is the scenic ascent to Loi Mwe, which passes through dry hill forests interspersed with pine trees, and terraced rice fields near ethnic villages. The area is now a part of Loi Mwe Protected Area which is home to wildlife and many species of indigenous orchids.
18. Morning Markets
In Shan State, community markets are held on a traditional rotating basis, in which each town or village within a given are hosts a market every five days. Every day, there is a market held at one of the five designated villages. On these days, people gather from the nearby mountains to buy and sell.At these morning markets, many ethnic tribes from nearby villages gather... truly a harmonious scene. The villagers sell produce gathered in the mountains and jungles, and use the money to buy salt, cigars, soap and wire before returning to the mountains. Here, Tai-Khun is the language of commerce. The rotating morning markets are held at: Keng Tung Central Market, Kat-Tauk, Kat-Htike, Kat-Phat and Kat-Pone.
19. Traditional Lacquerware Shop
The traditional craftsmanship of Keng Tung lacquerware is unique, passed down for centuries. Quality lacquer can be made from resin harvested only from mature laquer trees called Thitsi. The Keng Tung Sawbwas valued lacquer vessels for daily use as they are resistant to mildew and decay. “U Mu Ling Ta”, a Shan (Tai-Khun) family-run factory-store, has been around for five generations, since the Sawbwa rule. It is the last surviving producer of its kind in the area. The shop sells the beautiful black lacquerware usually embossed in gold on site. The fortunate visitor can take a peek at the production process besides purchasing quality pieces which start at US$10. The shop also displays and sells a variety of traditional Shan silver vessels and ornaments including bracelets, rings and earrings, besides gorgeous Shan swords and knives.
Souvenir Shops
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