A picturesque town nestled in a valley of green rice fields and wooded hills, Kengtung is one of the most scenic and atmospheric towns in the country, and an ideal place to visit for those with a good sense of adventure. A world away from flashy hotels and European comforts, Kengtung is a basic escape, although with limited access to tourists, the only way to get here is to fly or head overland from Thailand, making this a top option for those looking for a true “off the beaten path” experience (and with a good budget!).

The sleepy town of Kengtung is a great starting point to delve deeper into the relatively unexplored local ethnic minority villages including Akha, Ann, Lisu, Lishaw, Wa and Lahu people. With the days of insurgents owning the hills long gone, Kengtung is a great base for trekking, with the hills covered in tea plantations, communities still living in traditional longhouses and the farm animals foraging the village streets.