Kyaing Tong is built around
a lake. And as the legend say, there was a
powerful magician called "Tungkalasi" who
used his magic staff to drain a lake of
near-sea proportion. Then the city was built
around it. The original city walls and gates
can still be seen today.
Kyaing Tong lies in the valley between
the high misty mountains of the Shan Plateau
and the Mekong and the Thanlwin Rivers. It
is the home of the Gon Shan, the Akhas, the
Lisu, the Wa and the white and black Lahu.
It was said that from 1243 A.D, to the
last Sawbwa (the Chieftain) reign there were
altogether 45 Sawbwas who ruled here.
Although there are many ethnic majorities
and mionorities living in this area having
faith in different religions, Buddhism is
the main religion of this area.
Kyaing Tong is reputed to be a very
powerful city during its time. There is the
famous Palin Gate in the city. There were
tales saying tyhat one Sawbwa when ruling
Kyaing Tong, was not able to go to the Dat
San Lwe Pagoda because ther is a curse on
them. |