Sights in Lashio

There really isn't much of interest in Lashio to be Honest! As in any city, town or village in the entire country there is the inevitable temples and markets but apart from that not much else. It has the feeling of a border town being so close to China and has a noticeably high Chinese population, who didn't come across as particularly friendly compared to the average Burmese Person! My one enduring memory of the place is of it being the first place in the entire country were I was blatantly ripped off when buying Something!! I'm sure you could kill a day there wandering round (as I did) but personally I would much rather go to Hsipaw!

as above...apart from the big new (ish) Buddha on the edge of town and the smattering of temples as per any Myanmar town....but the central market is definitely interesting for a wander...nearly always some tribal women around...with your interests it sounds like a night or 2 there would suit, if you have the spare time. (taxi from Lashio to Hsipaw is around 20-25,000Kyat)

Yes, as above says, the central market is interesting.( Especially for the local market in Myanmar, busy in the morning.) It will be depended on arrival time.

Thanks chris1965 and rivaltribal. I guess we will see how our itinerary and timing work out. We both hate long, all-day transport and usually avoid them unless the scenery is fantastic or there are places of interest on the way. If time in Lashio works out we might stay a night or two, if not we will just head on to Hsipaw straight away.

rivaltribal, Is 20-25,000 Kyat for the whole taxi? Can we book one directly from the airport to Hsipaw?

We will arrive mid-day (one flight arrives 12:20 and another at 13:30), so getting to Hsipaw the same day should be easy... unless the flight is hours late which happened to us last January in Bagan. We will play it by ear and see how it goes.

We may just stay a night, visit the market in the morning and head-on to Hsipaw.

Or you can take a bus, I found the local buses much more fun than the coaches, its only about 2 hours to Hsipaw. Or you can catch the train which leaves early morning about 5am arrive Hsipaw at 9am.

Thanks herbie47. We have already been on Myanmar trains (Pwin Oo Lwin to Hsipaw, Yangon to Mawlamyine) and though the scenery was great, probably won't do it again. The seats are too just uncomfortable even for only 4 hours. If we can get a taxi at the airport or nearby for 20-25,000 Kyat, that is the way we will go.

...and taking the 5am train allows no time for the market, so then not much point staying the night...better to stay the one night and do the market in the morning, then car to Hsipaw.

Thrive - I got in a car from Hsipaw to Lashio...and it was another couple already arranged it thru my guesthouse so the manager asked them if I could join...they were going to the airport and I was staying in town the night. The driver dropped them off first then dropped me in town on the way back thru.....and yeah it was that price for the whole car...whether the 2 of them or the 3 of us.

Not sure how you will go from Lashio airport itself...the airport there is very small, but very likely there will be some taxis waiting outside for passengers...but if you stay the one night then your hotel can arrange it..

Thanks again rivaltribal. We will see how it goes. If we feel up to going straight on to Hsipaw we will look for taxis out in front of the airport and see if we can get to Hsipaw. If that doesn't work we will stay the night and arrange through the hotel, hit the market in the morning and head on to Hsipaw.