SINKAN AND THE SECOND DEFILE
(RIVER GORGE)
Sinkan is a small town at the mouth of
Second Defile, some 50km (33mile) south
of Bhamo, notable for its some rickety monasteries.
The Second Defile is the most scenic part
in the upper reaches and has a length of
13.5km (7 ½ mile), whereas 300-m high cliff
called Nat Myet Hna Taung (Hill of the Nat’s
Face) and the Parrot’s Beak, a painted rock
in the form of a parrot that acts a water-level
marker are the significant landmarks of
this area.
SHWEGU
Shwegu is a regular boat stop and servers
as the gateway to the Shan Hill to the east
of the town across the dense jungle, where
the timber industry prospers. Shwegu is
briefly highlighted by over 2700 ancient
stupas that cover the entire island of Kyundaw,
opposite Shwegu.
KATHAR
Kathar is a peaceful and pleasant old
market town located on the western bank
of Ayeyarwaddy River, south of Myitkyina
and west of Bhamo, with its charming rain-trees
planted over one hundred years ago. Katha
is the site where the Irrawaddy Flotilla
Company scuttled roundabout 75 ships to
defy them from the occupying Japanese forces,
in May 1942. In fact, Kathar has been introduced
to the westerners through infamous novel
of Gorge Orwell’s “Burmese Day”. Eric Blair
(real name of Gorge Orwell) was stationed
in Kathar during 1926-27 as a colonial police
officer, and this was the place where he
setup his novel. The British Club, the working
tennis court, old police station, hospital
and town jail are the places referenced
in his novel can still be seen today. More
accounts on this section are readable in
Emma Larkin's "Finding George Orwell in
Burma". There is no good accommodation in
Kathar and thus not suitable for overnight
stays for those looking for the comfort.
It is best visited from the cruise where
you can sleep well and take more time in
Katha. The railroad from Mandalay reaches
to Naba, a small town 24km (14ml) west of
Katha, from where you can proceed to Katha
by local train or by truck.
TAGAUNG
Tagaung is an ancient kingdom, or more
probably a city-state, founded in pre-Christian
times by a prince from the Sakya tribe at
Kapilavastu, the home town of Gautama Buddha.
It is probably the first kingdom established
on the Myanmar soil. Actually, there are
two lost cities, Tagaung and Old Bagan (often
described as upper Bagan) where the ruins
le beneath the huts, shacks, and houses
of present settlements. Tagaung is under
heavy archaeological excavation lead by
the Burmese and outside scholars.
KYAUKMYAUNG
Located 45km (26ml) south of the Third
Defile, Kyaukmyaung is the biggest pottery
town producing beautiful glazed and unglazed
earthen pots of different shapes, patterns,
and sizes, where some pots can hold up to
200-liters (50-gallons).
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