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TravelTips24 : Asia : Southeast Asia : Myanmar : Shan State : Tachileik

Tachileik

Tachileik is in Shan State, Myanmar, on the border with Thailand.

Travel to Tachileik & Visa Requirements

From Thailand

It is possible to enter Myanmar at the Mae Sai border post. Two types of visas are available at the border: a one day visa for Tachilek (US$5) and a 14 day visa (US$10) for the Tachilek-Kengtung area that is not valid for travel to other parts of Myanmar. Holders of a normal one-month Myanmar visa cannot use it to enter at Mae Sai. Be sure that you have the appropriate travel documents to re-enter Thailand at Mae Sai.

By air

Air Bagan and Yangon Airways fly to Heho via Kengtung daily. Air Mandalay offers a non-stop flight to Mandalay. All have connecting or continuing service to Yangon and other parts of Myanmar.

By road

Shared taxis (US$12) and buses (US$8) run to Kengtung (4-5 hrs) in the mornings. A permit is necessary but bus and taxi drivers can make the arrangements (don't show up at the last minute). It is currently not possible to travel onward from Kengtung by land.

Tours & Getting around Tachileik

Tachilek is small and there are plenty of trishaws for hire. Motorcycle taxis and car taxis are also available. The bus station and airport are outside town on the road to Kengtung. Take a pickup or hire a taxi to get there.

Tachileik attractions and sightseeing

  • Shwedagon Paya. The main pagoda in town, it is large and gilded. Not to be confused with its namesake in Yangon!
  • Market. The local market, populated by vendors from villages near and far, is worth a visit. The market closes in mid-morning, so go early. A second market caters to day tourists from Thailand.

Tachileik city tours

Tachileik souvenirs & shopping

Tachileik is a popular duty-free shopping destination for Thai tourists. The tourist market has local handicrafts ranging from kitsch to genuine Shan clothing. Pirated CDs and DVDs are also available but note that possession of these may be illegal in your country.

Tachileik Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Tachileik nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Tachileik cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

Most tourists to Tachilek pop across the border from Thailand for a night and there are many hotels in town. Prices are usually quoted in Baht but dollars are welcome.

Budget

  • Dream Flower Hotel, ☎ +95 84 51318, + 66 814737904(thura.dreamflower@gmail.com). Recently renovated, the hotel is nice, neat, quiet and tidy, albeit in a concrete building.US$8/250baht+.  edit

Mid-range

Splurge

  • Allure resort and casino, Baydar Street, Tachilek, [1]. Luxury hotel and casino aimed at a Thai clientele.US$130-US$500/baht 4000-baht15000.  edit

Get out

  • Mae Sai in Thailand. Note that, since 2006, a permit is necessary to exit Myanmar at the Mae Sai border. The permit must be obtained in advance from the MTT offices in Yangon.

This page was last edited at 17:23, on 1 July 2008 by Wikitravel user Episteme. Based on work by Wandering and thuramg and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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