Bringing tranquility back to Shan State

August 22, 2019, Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, Nay Pyi Taw: The serenity of the scenic hill town of Pyin Oo Lwin Township and Naung Cho Township has returned after attacks in the two townships. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, under the directorate of the Deputy Director U Thet Lin and assistant director U Aung Thet Tun with the staff of the Lashio office worked together with the Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA) and Air KBZ to get 57 international travellers out of Lashio and Thibaw in northern Shan state to Yangon and Mandalay. The travellers hailed from various parts of the world including Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, France, the UK and Germany. In Koot Khine, 28 travellers have been safely sent back to Lashio with military helicopters. The attacks also disrupted the Gote Twin Bridge, which was closed as a safety measure. However, the route has been recently reopened thanks to swift action by the Ministry of Construction, with the building of a temporary Bailey bridge for small passenger vehicles and lorries from Naung Cho to Kyaukme. Once the integrity of the Gote Twin Bridge is ascertained, it will be once again opened for use. More good news is the fact that the Mandalay-Lashio and Lashio-Mandalay train has restarted its regular timings and routes. There are also mini bus services on offer to Pyin Oo Lwin railway station and Naung Cho railway station for the ease of travellers in catching these trains is excellent news for workers, traders and travellers in the region. For the latest information on the situation and for any further assistance please check with the MOHT branch office in the region. Check here for the branch office list – https://tourism.gov.mm/helpdesk/branch-offices/ Although, the northern part of Shan state and a small portion of Mandalay region were impacted, the major tourist destinations in both these regions remain unaffected and safe for travel. We invite international travellers to continue to visit and support Myanmar as the country rises above these pockets of unrest and claims a safer and peaceful future.