Myitkyina

Myitkyina is the capital city of Kachin State in Myanmar (Burma), located 1,480 kilometres (920 mi) from Yangon, and 785 kilometers (488 mi) from Mandalay. In Myanmar it means “near the big river”, and Myitkyina is on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady River meaning big or elephant river, just below 44.8 kilometres (28 mi) from confluence of its two headstreams tributaries (the Mali and N’mai rivers). It is the northernmost river port and railway terminus in Myanmar. The city is served by Myitkyina’s Airport and jetty of inland water transportation.

Putao

Putao is the northernmost town of Kachin State, Myanmar. It is the principal town in Putao Township. It can only be reached by road during summer (for nationals) but is accessible year round by air if there are sufficient tourist groups to justify a plane.

The area around Putao is famous for the variety of endemic birds and rare orchids, which grow naturally. Many orchid lovers are especially attracted by the so-called “Black Orchid” that can be found in the mountains east and west of Putao. Hkakabo Razi and other snow-capped mountains are visible from Putao. Putao attracts also enthusiasts, hiking to Hkakabo Razi base camp, located close to Tahaundam.

Fort Hertz was a remote British Military outpost in northeastern Burma in the district of Putao in what is now the Kachin State near the present town of Putao. It was named after William Axel Hertz. Hertz led the first expeditions into the far north of Burma in 1888, was responsible for the 1912 Gazetteer of Kachin Hills area and served as the first Deputy Commissioner of the Government in the Putao District. The military post was established in 1914 and given the name Fort Hertz in 1925 on the retirement of William Hertz from the Indian Civil Service.

Bamaw

Bhamo is a city of Kachin State in the northernmost part of Myanmar, located 186 km (116 mi) south from Myitkyina, the capital city of the state of Kachin. It is on the Ayeyarwady River. It lies within 65 km (40 mi) of the border with Yunnan Province, China.The population consists of Chinese and Shan, with Kachin peoples in the hills around the town. It is the administrative center of Bhamo District and Bhamo Township.

*** Some colonial buildings are still standing in the town centre***.