Lashio (;) is the largest town in northern
Shan State,
Myanmar, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of
Mandalay. It is situated on a low mountain spur overlooking the valley of the
Nam Yao river. The population grew from around 5000 in 1960 to 88,590 in 1983. It is currently estimated at around 130,000.
The population is made up of mostly
Bamar (Burmans),
Shan and
Chinese. The annual rainfall averages 54 in. The average maximum temperature is 80.5° and the average minimum 55.5°.
History
The
British colonial period in this part of the country began in
1883, and the
Myanmar Railways line from
Mandalay reached Lashio in 1903.
Before British rule Lashio was also the centre of authority for the northern Shan States, but the Burmese post in the valley was close to the Nam Yao, in an old Chinese fortified camp. The Lashio valley was formerly very populous; but a rebellion, started by the
sawbwa of
Hsenwi, about ten years before the British occupation, ruined it.
In 1900, the town of Lashio consisted of the European station, with court house and quarters for the civil officers; the military
police post, the headquarters of the Lashio
battalion of military police; and the native station, in which the various nationalities,
Shans, Burmans, Hindus and Mahommedans, who were divided into separate quarters, with reserves for government servants and for the temporary residences of the five sawbwas of the northern Shan States; and a
bazaar.
Transport
Lashio is located at the end of the
Burma Road, and at the
terminus of the
Mandalay-
Kun Long railway. It is also the end point of the government
cart road from Mandalay, from which it is 178 m. distant.
In 2009, a railway link through to
Jiegao in China was proposed.
Culture
Religious sites include the Sasana (Pyilon Chanta)
Pagoda and the Mansu Pagoda. Yepusan
spa is nearly five miles away from the city center, and is healthful in winter. In 2000, Lashio was important for
border trade between Myanmar and
China.
Lashio Thein Aung is a famous Burmese singer who derived his name from this city.
The town is home to the Lashio Degree College.
See also
