Thipaw (Hsipaw)

Hsipaw is an ancient Shan town, the local capital of a Shan principality of the same name, which according to its story goes back to year 58 B.C. It is said, the town was founded by Sao Hkun Hkam Saw, the fourth son of the Sawbwa (Saohpa) Sao Hkun Lai of Mong Mao. The Myanmar (Burma) people pronounce the name as Thibaw and the last king of Myanmar, King Thibaw (1875-85 AD) got his name from this town.

Hispaw has a large local market in the center of the town, with cinemas, small guesthouses and restaurants near the bus stands. The old wooden traditional Haw, Palace of the Sawbwa is located at the northern end of the town and the main pagoda, the Maha Myatmuni Phaya is right at the southern end. The roads are parallel to the Namtu or Dokhtawaddy River with a backdrop of hill and mountains.