09
2015
As part of MIID’s Heritage Trails Project in the Danu Self-Administered Zone (SAZ) of Shan State, a group of trekkers tested out one of the 20 newly-mapped trails, in preparation for introducing the trails to the general public before the tourist high season later this year. The development and promotion of these trails, done jointly with local community groups including the Danu Literature Culture and Development Association, aims to ensure that local Danu residents benefit from an emerging tourism industry while natural and cultural heritage is celebrated and preserved.
The trekking group was made up of local representatives of Danu civil society associations, local government committees, and the tourism private sector as well as MIID team members. Local trekking guides led the trek. The group also included select Yangon-based tour operators who are looking for new sites for trekking-based tours, as a potential alternative to the already well known trekking industry in nearby Kalaw and Inle.
The trail started in Pindaya and ended in Ywangan stretching through breath-taking landscapes, local villages, farm plantations and passing through numerous cultural heritage sites such as a small-scale tea factory, Buddhist monasteries, and a farm house providing traditional Danu meals.
The free maps and other information about the trails are available at www.danutrails.com.
The Heritage Trail project is supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH which promotes sustainable economic development in Myanmar on behalf of the Federal German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
June 9-10, 2015