Located in the Shan State in the eastern part of Myanmar, Hsipaw is a popular town for backpackers who are traveling north from Mandalay. Green scenery and a friendly vibe make Hsipaw an ideal place to do a day hike, overnight trek with homestay, or to simply relax for a while.

Although Hsipaw is a favorite among budget travelers, it certainly still feels more authentic than other stops along the Banana Pancake Trail!

Things to Know About Hsipaw

• ATMs: You will find a few working ATMs scattered around town. Before using them, read about dealing with money in Myanmar.

• Wi-Fi: To say that the Wi-Fi in Hsipaw is slow would be a complement. Even at the most popular guesthouses, you won’t have much internet access. There is one internet cafe in town (beside Mr. Charles’ Guesthouse) if you can catch it open.

• Nightlife: Forget about it. Travelers sometimes have drinks in their guesthouses, or enjoy one-dollar cocktails at Mr. Shake’s place on the main road. Another option is to join locals at one of the few restaurants in town for their nightly beer sessions. Cheap bottles of alcohol can be purchased from most of the shops in town.

• Motorbike Rental: Exploring the surrounding countryside by motorbike is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Hsipaw. Mr. Gold, an affable jeweler located around the corner from Lily the Home hotel, rents his motorbikes to travelers. Rentals are far less formal than in other parts of Southeast Asia. Inquire inside of Lily the Home hotel for how to get in touch with Mr. Gold.

• Trekking: Hsipaw is a popular place to do short treks. You can arrange trekking through your guesthouse, but first see what you should know about booking treks in Asia.

Where to Stay in Hsipaw

Despite the green setting, you won’t find charming little guesthouses in Hsipaw. The handful of tall, budget hotels look terribly tiled and sanitary from the outside, but they’re actually quite friendly and are decently priced. Regardless of where you stay, don’t expect good internet access.

You’ll have touts aggressively trying to lure you to their hotels as soon as you arrive in the railway station.

• Mr. Charles’ Guesthouse: Hands down, this is the most popular and social spot in town -- but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice.
• Lily the Home: This clean, sprawling hotel looks expensive and daunting, but the budget rooms for travelers are actually a comfortable bargain with lots of perks.

Two other options for budget accommodation in town include Yee Shin Guesthouse and the spotless Red Dragon hotel.

Eating in Hsipaw

Despite Hsipaw being a major stop for backpackers, there aren’t many proper restaurants in town. Some of the best eateries are simply unnamed noodle stands. The inexpensive Myanmar Restaurant at the main intersection in town is the best place for authentic Burmese food.

The popular Mr. Food serves up a big menu of mostly lackluster Chinese options. Mr. Shake (there are two; opt for the one on the main road heading north out of town) is the place to go for cheap juices, shakes, and pina coladas.

Mrs Popcorn doesn’t do popcorn as her name implies, however, her organic restaurant set in a spacious garden is a must-see in the area. Finding this ‘hidden’ spot in Hsipaw is a challenge worth the effort. Cross the railroad tracks heading northwest out of town via the same road Mr. Charles’ Guesthouse occupies. Mrs. Popcorn’s place can be found past the Little Bagan stupas.

How to Get to Hsipaw

• By Train: Without a doubt, the best way to get to Hsipaw is via the scenic train ride from Mandalay. The train takes around 11 hours, unless you opt to break up the journey in Pyin-oo-Lwin -- not a bad idea.Go for an Upper Class seat, sit back, and watch the beautiful, Burmese countryside through the open-air windows. You’ll even cross over what was once the largest railway trestle in the world.

• By Bus: The bus from Mandalay to Hsipaw is a winding, hair-raising ride on rough roads across mountainous switchbacks. Although the VIP buses are comfortable enough, road conditions don’t allow a very enjoyable experience. Unless you’re in a hurry, go for the train instead.

Arriving in Hsipaw

After arriving in the railway station, you can take one of the hotel touts up on their offers for free transportation to the hotel. Otherwise, dodge the hotel-pushers and begin walking east on the road out of the station. After around 10 minutes of walking, that road will cross the main north-south road running through town.

Turn left (north) to reach Mr. Charles’ Guesthouse and the Red Dragon Hotel. Turn right (south) to reach Lily The Home hotel and Yee Shin Guesthouse.

• Read more about transportation in Myanmar for a better feel of how to get around.