Shan state is located on the east of Myanmar bordering Thailand, Laos and China. It is a mountain country of Myanmar with many different ethnic minority people. The easiest places for the tourists to visit are located in the southern part of it where the usual entry point by air is Heho. Some places close to Thailand, Laos and China can also be visited.

Taunggyi is the capital of Shan State and it is the land of the Shans and other national races, namely, Pa-O, Kachin, Padaung, Danu, Wa, Lahu, Kaw, Maingtha, Padaung, Taungyo, Yin, Gon, Kayah, Lishau and Inntha, etc. with their unique cultures. The Shan plateau is 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. Some ranges are 5,000 to 7,500 feet high, with even higher peaks. A cool climate makes it a highly popular summer resort. Its average temperatures range from around 60º F in the cool months of December and January, to 70 or 80º F even in the warmest months of April, May, June and July.

It is the most famous scenic spot in the Shan State. It is located about 30 km south of Taunggyi. The Lake is 22.4 km long and 10.2 km wide, shallow and extremely picturesque. It is studded with floating islands formed by the growth and decay of vegetation. Sheltered among the hazy blue mountains, the Lake is about 900 meters above sea level. It is famous for its unique leg-rowers, floating villages and colorful markets and festivals. It is very interesting to observe the Innthas ( people living in the Inle Lake ) live on the lake with their houses on stills, floating farms and the floating markets. The Innthas have become so adapted to the lake environment that they build their homes over the water on stills, they build floating farms on the lake and villagers row their long, narrow boats with unique way of leg-rowing that has made them famous.

At the northern end of the lake is Nyaung Shwe, a small town 27 km from Taunggyi; and the gate-way to Inle Lake. The famous Phaung-Daw-U Pagoda in the Inlay Lake can be reached by boat from Nyaung Shwe Jetty

About 70 km west of Taunggyi is Kalaw; a peaceful summer resort nestled in pine-clad mountains. Nearby are villages of Palaung and other hill tribes who come to Kalaw market in their colourful costumes, adding to the quiet attraction of Kalaw. The areas compassing Kalaw and Pindaya has a network of hiking trails passing through the hilltribe villages. Hiking from Kalaw to Pindaya is possible within 3 days.

Pindaya, situated 45 km north-east of Kalaw, is a small picturesque town at the foot of Mene mountain range. The road from Kalaw to Pindaya is a breath-taking beauty of the region. Enormous wide spreading banyan trees which are said to be more than a thousand years old line the way to the Pindaya caves. The caves at Pindaya are set deep in the hillsides and there stands at the entrance the 15 meters-high Shwe-U-Min Pagoda. Pindaya is famous for these caves in which thousands of Buddha images have been placed or carved for many centuries.