🌿 Myitkyina Weekend Escape: Waterfalls, Warpaint & WILD Noodles! 🍜

#springitinerary Last weekend, I traded my city chaos for the misty mountains of Myitkyina—and wow, Kachin State did not disappoint. Here’s the lowdown on my adventure, complete with a snake surprise (😱), next-level noodles, and a secret sunset spot! 🌄 The Vibe Myitkyina feels like stepping into a postcard: emerald rice fields, the Irrawaddy River glinting gold at dusk, and streets buzzing with motorbikes and longyi-clad locals. The air smells like woodsmoke and lahpet (fermented tea leaves)—earthy and addictive. 🤣 The "Oh-Crap" Moment At Indawgyi Lake, I was living my best life—until I almost sat on a tiny, nope-rope snake 🐍 sunbathing on a rock. Cue me screeching like a startled chicken while a laughing fisherman shooed it away. Pro tip: Watch your step! 🍜 Foodie Heaven Breakfast was Kachin-style shwe htamin (turmeric sticky rice with sesame) at a street stall—sweet, buttery, and way too easy to devour. But the MVP? A hidden noodle shack near the market (no English sign, just follow the locals!). Their Kachin mala noodles—chewy, spicy, and swimming in garlic oil—left me in a happy food coma. 💎 Hidden Gem: Mali Yang Waterfall Most tourists hit Myitsone, but locals tipped me off to Mali Yang, 30 minutes from town. I waded through jungle streams (hello, questionable balance) to a turquoise pool under cascading water. Pure magic. ⏳ Quick Itinerary 7 AM: Sunrise at Irrawaddy Riverside (bring coffee!). 9 AM: Market chaos + shwe htamin feast. 12 PM: Motorbike to Indawgyi Lake (swim, dodge snakes). 5 PM: Sunset at Mali Yang (worth the hike!). 7 PM: Noodle shack mission + street strolling. Final Tip Pack light, expect zero Wi-Fi, and say yes to every snack offered. Myitkyina’s charm is in its raw, unfiltered energy—plus, the noodles will haunt your dreams (in the best way). Who’s coming with me next time? 🙋♂️ #kachinvibes