Putao Town, Kachin State


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, 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 also attracts enthusiasts, hiking to Hkakabo Razi base camp, located close to Tahaundam.

History

Hkamti Long

Hkamti Long is the former name of one of the outlying Shan States. It was a princely state around the city of Putao settled by the Hkamti Shan people. The name means "Great Place of Gold" in the Hkamti Shan language. Nowadays, there are Rawang and Lisu people, who are already regarded as Kachin nationalities. The seven-day-trek to West-Putao's mountain region, in which explorers found that there are Hta Lone ethnic whose height are lower than four feet. The population of this ethnic minority is so few nowadays that they are facing the threat of being extinct. The area covered by Hkamti Long may have included parts of what is now Kachin State as well as that of Shan State.

Geography

Mount Hkakabo Razi

Mount Hkakabo Razi and other snow-capped mountains are visible from Putao. Putao also attracts enthusiasts, hiking to Khakaborazi base camp, located close to Tahaundam.

Climate

The climate of Putao is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate with very high amount of precipitation throughout the monsoon season. Average temperature in January is 13.1 °C, August is the hottest month with 25.9 °C.