Taunggyi (Burmese: တောင်ကြီးမြို့; MLCTS: taung kri: mrui. [tàʊɰ̃dʑí mjo̰]; Shan: ဝဵင်းတူၼ်ႈတီး Shan pronunciation: [weŋ˥ ton˧˧˨ ti˥]) is the capital and largest city of Shan State, Myanmar (Burma) and lies on the Thazi-Kyaingtong road at an elevation of 4,712 feet (1,436 m), just north of Shwenyaung and Inle Lake within the Myelat region. Taunggyi is the fifth largest city of Myanmar, and has an estimated population of 380,665 as of 2014.
The city is famous for its hot air balloon festival held annually on the full moon day of Tazaungmon.
Taunggyi is best known for the annual Fire Balloon festival held for one week near the beginning of Nov each year. For most of every day, hot air paper balloons several metres in length in the shape of various animals are launched and sent floating over the town (if they don't spontaneously combust on take-off, a relatively common occurrence). In the evening the carnival really gets going with the launching of more traditionally shaped balloons carrying cargoes of sweets and fireworks. Definitely one of Myanmar's must-see events, but be warned that hotel prices increase by about 50% during the festival. It's popular with locals, but hardly any foreigners attend.
The market in Taunggyi is worth seeing. Shan noodles and Burmese sweet tea can be purchased at low cost, and CDs and VCDs are cheap and abundant. Another attraction of the market is the abundance of Pa-O (distinguished by interesting headscarves) women selling fresh produce and inexpensive tea from the Shan hills.
There are mainly two kinds of people in Taunggyi. They are Shan and Pa Oe' ethnic groups. When you are in Taunggyi, you can see differently between Shan and Pa Oe' people, because many Pa Oe' wear their traditional black costumes and they put cloths around their heads because it is not only traditional but also to keep their heads warm since it is cold in Taunggyi. Pa Oe' foods are not popular among tourists and foreigners. But they quite like Shan noodles. If you are in Taunggyi or somewhere in Myanmar where Shan noodles are available, make sure to taste them, because they are fantastic!
Besides, you may also like Ngar Hta Minn Nel (yellowish fish rice), Wet Tha Chin ( reddish pork rice), Kyat Tha Chin (reddish chicken rice) and Htoe Huu Nwe (noodles with yellowish paste made from a type of bean powder).
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Widely available in Taunggyi is surplus military gear from the Tatmadaw. Coats, tank tops, bedsheets, bags, canteens, etc. You can find vendors all along the central marketplace. Tank top 1,000 kyat, large messenger bag 4,500, a single bedsheet is around 3,000.
There are many hotels, especially in downtown Taunggyi. Prices for staying at hotels are not usually expensive. But during Tha Zaung Dyne festival (also called Fire Balloon festival), prices are sky-high. Many people all over the country come to Taunggyi to enjoy the festival. So if you cannot find a place to stay at all, you can stay at a monastery by asking the abbot for permission. No-one will ask for you to pay for a stay at a monastery, but you can donate money if you wish. Nearly all monasteries in Myanmar offer not only a place to stay but also food and drink if you ask for them.
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Taunggyi is a relatively small town and there is a conspicuous lack of taxis and rental bike services. The easiest way to get around is to walk.
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