Lashio
Encyclopedia
Lashio is the largest town in northern Shan State
, Myanmar
, about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) northeast of Mandalay
. It is situated on a low mountain spur overlooking the valley of the Nam Yao river. The population grew from around 5000 in 1960 to 88,590 in 1983. It is currently estimated at around 130,000.
Lashio is the administrative center of Lashio Township
and Lashio District
. before April/2010, it was also the administrative center of Shan State (North) also.
The population is made up of mostly Shan, Chinese
and Burmans
. The annual rainfall averages 54 in. The average maximum temperature is 27°C (80.5°F) and the average minimum 13°C (55.5°F).
in this part of the country began in 1887, and the Myanmar Railways
line from Mandalay
reached Lashio in 1903.
Before British rule Lashio was also the centre of authority for the northern Shan States, but the Burmese post in the valley was close to the Nam Yao, in an old Chinese fortified camp. The Lashio valley was formerly very populous; but a rebellion, started by the sawbwa
of Hsenwi, about ten years before the British occupation, ruined it.
In 1900, the town of Lashio consisted of the European station, with court house and quarters for the civil officers; the military police
post, the headquarters of the Lashio battalion
of military police; and the native station, in which the various nationalities, Shans, Burmans, Hindus and Muslims, who were divided into separate quarters, with reserves for government servants and for the temporary residences of the five sawbwas of the northern Shan States; and a bazaar
.
(Cwa) according to the Köppen climate classification
system, marked by heavy rains from June to November.
, and at the terminus of the Mandalay
-Kun Long railway. It is also the end point of the government cart
road from Mandalay, from which it is 178 m. distant.
The scenic Goteik viaduct
is near Lashio and trains traveling from Mandalay have to pass through the bridge, which is the highest bridge in Myanmar.
In 2009, a railway link through to Jiegao
in China was proposed.
It is the home of Lashio Airport
.
and the Mansu Pagoda. Yepusan spa
is nearly five miles away from the city center, and is healthful in winter. Since 2000, Lashio was important for border trade
between Myanmar and China
. it is 190 km from Muse. It is situated midway between Muse and Mandalay.
Sai Mauk Kham, one of the Vice Presidents of Myanmar new government resulted from 2010 general election, is elected from Lashio constituency.
Shan State
Shan State is a state of Burma . Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south, and five administrative divisions of Burma in the west. Largest of the 14 administrative divisions by land area, Shan State covers 155,800 km², almost a quarter of the total...
, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) northeast of Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
. It is situated on a low mountain spur overlooking the valley of the Nam Yao river. The population grew from around 5000 in 1960 to 88,590 in 1983. It is currently estimated at around 130,000.
Lashio is the administrative center of Lashio Township
Lashio Township
Lashio Township is a township of Lashio District in the Shan State of eastern Burma. The principal town is Lashio located in Northern Shan State. Lashio is famous by its natural resources and it is mixed up with many ethnic groups such as Palaung, Wa, Chinese , Shan, Kachin....
and Lashio District
Lashio District
Lashio District is a district of the Shan State in Myanmar. It consisted of four towns and 2431 villages in 2001.-Townships:The district contains nine townships, including:*Lashio Township*Hsenwi Township*Mongyai Township...
. before April/2010, it was also the administrative center of Shan State (North) also.
The population is made up of mostly Shan, Chinese
Burmese Chinese
The Burmese Chinese or Chinese Burmese are a group of overseas Chinese born or raised in Burma . Although the Chinese officially make up three percent of the population, the actual figure is believed to be much higher...
and Burmans
Bamar
The Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
. The annual rainfall averages 54 in. The average maximum temperature is 27°C (80.5°F) and the average minimum 13°C (55.5°F).
History
The British colonial periodBritish rule in Burma
British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the Anglo-Burmese Wars through the creation of Burma as a province of British India to the establishment of an independently administered colony, and finally independence...
in this part of the country began in 1887, and the Myanmar Railways
Myanmar Railways
Myanmar Railways ; also spelled Myanma Railways; formerly Burma Railways) is the state-owned agency that operates the railway network in Myanmar. The metre gauge rail network consists of 858 stations, and generally spans north to south with branch lines to east and west. MR also operates the...
line from Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
reached Lashio in 1903.
Before British rule Lashio was also the centre of authority for the northern Shan States, but the Burmese post in the valley was close to the Nam Yao, in an old Chinese fortified camp. The Lashio valley was formerly very populous; but a rebellion, started by the sawbwa
Saopha
Saopha, Chaofa, or Sawbwa was a royal title used by the rulers of the Shan States of Myanmar . The word means "king" in the Shan and Tai languages...
of Hsenwi, about ten years before the British occupation, ruined it.
In 1900, the town of Lashio consisted of the European station, with court house and quarters for the civil officers; the military police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
post, the headquarters of the Lashio battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of military police; and the native station, in which the various nationalities, Shans, Burmans, Hindus and Muslims, who were divided into separate quarters, with reserves for government servants and for the temporary residences of the five sawbwas of the northern Shan States; and a bazaar
Bazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
.
Climate
Lashio's climate is classified as humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
(Cwa) according to the Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
system, marked by heavy rains from June to November.
Transport
Lashio is located at the end of the Burma RoadBurma Road
The Burma Road is a road linking Burma with the southwest of China. Its terminals are Kunming, Yunnan, and Lashio, Burma. When it was built, Burma was a British colony.The road is long and runs through rough mountain country...
, and at the terminus of the Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
-Kun Long railway. It is also the end point of the government cart
Cart
A cart is a vehicle designed for transport, using two wheels and normally pulled by one or a pair of draught animals. A handcart is pulled or pushed by one or more people...
road from Mandalay, from which it is 178 m. distant.
The scenic Goteik viaduct
Goteik viaduct
The Goteik viaduct is a railway trestle in Nawnghkio, western Shan State, Myanmar . The bridge is between the two towns of Pyin U Lwin, the summer capital of the former British colonial administrators of Burma, and Lashio, the principal town of northern Shan State.It is the highest bridge in...
is near Lashio and trains traveling from Mandalay have to pass through the bridge, which is the highest bridge in Myanmar.
In 2009, a railway link through to Jiegao
Jiegao
Jiegao is a town in southern China near the border with Myanmar. It belongs to Yunnan province. It is near Ruili and Mengmao.- Geography :Jiegao is located with a river separating it with a finger of Myanmar land extending eastward.- Transport :...
in China was proposed.
It is the home of Lashio Airport
Lashio Airport
Lashio Airport is an airport in Lashio, Burma. it is near the Head Quarter of Northeast Military Command. Passengers have to walk from airport building to entrance of airport compound. There is no X ray equipment.-Accidents and incident:...
.
Culture
Religious sites include the Sasana (Pyilon Chanta) PagodaPagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
and the Mansu Pagoda. Yepusan spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
is nearly five miles away from the city center, and is healthful in winter. Since 2000, Lashio was important for border trade
Border trade
Border trade, in general, refers to the flow of goods and services across theinternational borders between jurisdictions. In this sense, it is a part of normal legal tradethat flows through standard export/import frameworks of nations...
between Myanmar and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. it is 190 km from Muse. It is situated midway between Muse and Mandalay.
Sai Mauk Kham, one of the Vice Presidents of Myanmar new government resulted from 2010 general election, is elected from Lashio constituency.