Myitkyina
The capital of Kachin State and the first town on the Ayeyarwady river. The Myitsone or the Confluence, where the two rivers , the Maykha and the Maihka joins to form the Ayeyarwady River is 27 miles to the north a popular and picturesque picnic spot. Myitkyina is home to the Kachins, Rawangs and Lisus etc. The Kachins hold annual new year festivals called Manaw during January.
Putao
When the British were here they called this place Fort Hertz in honour of Capt Hertz, the British Administrator of the region. Putao is located on the Hkamtilon Plain and the northernmost air terminal in the country. The predominant ethnic group are the Rawangs but there are also Hkamti Shans and Lisus and Kachins. Ice-clad peaks are easily visible from Putao and Mt. Phungan, at above 3500 metres, is a favourite among people who wants to do some medium trekking. The Hkakaborazi National Park, named after Mt. Hkakaborazi, is a natural living museum of wild and exotic flora and fauna species. Mt. Hkakaborazi is 5881 metres above sea level and is the highest mountain in S.E Asia and snow and ice covered the whole year around. It is 30 days march distant from Putao and was conquered only very recently by two professional climbers; a Myanmar national and a Japanese. The Rawangs also celebrate the manaw like the Kachins. Trekking enthusiast can go to many villages around Putao, either on soft, medium and hard treks. Mountaineering, white-water rafting and canoeing are also possible for the adventurous.