Laiza is a city in Northern Myanmar, on the border with China. A village prior to 1994, it became one of the most important cities in Kachin State after the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) made a ceasefire agreement with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The ruling military junta is demanding to hand-over of Laiza and Mai Ja Yang, cities built by the cease-fire group, before implementation of the new constitution drawn in favour of the government.

Get in

You can reach Laiza only by car. There are many cars run by business persons through out twenty four hours a day. For foreigners, may need special permission to go beyond Balamintin Bridge near Kachin State Capital, Myitkyina on the way to Laiza.

There are two check points before and after the bridge from Myitkyina and one checkpoint in the outskirt of Waimaw and last Myanmar (Burmese) military gate in Laja Yang and you will find another combined check point at the entrance to Laiza City and on the way to Bhamo.

Do

• Casino or shopping, visiting and talking with villagers.

Buy

Chinese goods, traditional Kachin goods, jewellery, and jade.

Eat

Enjoy varieties of Chinese, Kachin, Shan and Burmese foods and you can even get fast food and sour fruit, grape wine in Country Restaurant.

Drink

Enojyed varieties of Chinese, Kachin Rice-state-beer or rice wine, Sour Fruit Wine, Shan drinks.

Sleep

There are many guest houses and hotels. Laiza Hotel is suitable for foreigners.

Go next

Once you are in the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Controlled Areas, you are safe unless government military check-points give you trouble.