Discovered the untouched nature

It is already It was already 7 pm when I arrived at Yangon International Airport and realized that I made the wrong decision in booking an 8 pm bus to Mandalay. According to my calculation, it takes an 8-hour drive to Mandalay and from Mandalay, I will need to take a 7.30 am flight to Lashio with MNA. Thus, without wasting any more time, I took an estimated 45-min taxi ride from the airport to the bus terminal. Grab is strongly recommended as you don’t need to negotiate the taxi fares. 

Upon arriving Aung Mingalar bus terminal, I again realized that I have booked the wrong bus, however with the aid of the staff there, I managed to switch buses. A point to note: if you transit at Mandalay and continue your destination, please check with the operator before you book the bus ticket as there are 2 available routes – old road and new road. The new road will pass through Zagagyi toll gate where you can go to Mandalay airport. Otherwise, it does not matter if the bus is going via old road or new road.

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After taking a 1-hour flight from Mandalay to Lashio, Northan Shan State, I arrived at Lashio airport around 9 am. Thanks to my social networking skills, my local friend fetched me and we were off to Hai Pa Waterfall. Let me talk about Hai Pa Waterfall a little bit more. Hai Pa Waterfall is one of the cultural heritages in Mong Hsu Township. It is the origin of Nampan Creek, which flows to Kunhing region streaming in a large number of ravines and jungles, embraced by Loikhuk Hill, Loifalyan Hill, and Loimonmun Hill. You can visit the place either from Taung Gyi (estimated travel time 5 to 6 hours) and Lashio (estimated 4 to 5 hours). You may prearrange with some travel agency or some local transportation prior to your arrival in Lashio to lessen the stress or frustrations. It was on 18 Feb 2020, 4 in the evening by the time we arrived at our destination.

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This place is filled with incredible beauty and the serene sound of waterfall streaming calms the thousand storms in my head, losing myself in its amazing sights and the beautiful sounds of nature. The temperature is around 20°C in the day and 15°C to 18°C in the night. Most travellers are suggested to visit around November to March. However, I would like to recommend February as the best time to visit since it is not too cold or warm. There, you can take a boat tour along the river and relax at some stops. After which, the boat will go closer to the large waterfall so that you can take the best shot.

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For the accommodation, only guest houses are available and the food are freshly cooked by the locals at minimum charges. If you are an eco-traveller, you will find the provided facilities much to your liking.

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We stayed there for a night at one of the food stalls because we do not want to stay at the guest house along the river. Blankets and mattresses were provided and charged at around $5 per person. The following day, we woke up early to catch the beautiful sun rise.

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At around 10 am, we went back to Mai Shu and said our goodbyes as I continued my backpack trip to another city called Shwe Nyaung while they went back to Lashio.

This trip was awe-inspiring and left me with remarkable memories albeit the long and tiring journey. I spent a total of 18 to 20 hours from Singapore to Hai Pa Waterfall. Be as it may, I enjoyed every single moment where I was embraced by giant mountains and the monster waterfalls. 

In the midst of a crazy pandemic, I managed to accomplish one milestone.

check the local transport in the link below.

https://www.easybook.com/en-sg/bus

https://www.flymna.com