Eco-Tourism will present to the World Myanmar’s abundant natural resources and help earn more foreign exchange. That’s why, Hotels and Tourism Industry based on natural environment and scenic beauty of the State is earning foreign exchange from foreign guests to enjoy a country’s numerous scenic beauty and soothing environment. Myanmar has opened 15 zones based on natural scenic beauty tours. One of it includes Natmauk Mountain national park which is situated in Kanpetlet township in Mindat District, southern Chin State. In that park climbing the 10,500 ft high Mt Victoria or Natmauk Mt or Khaw Nu Thum, is the trip that is of high interest to tourists.
In this programme, we shall present the trip from the capital Yangon to the peak of Mt. Victoria via Kanpetlet town in southern Chin State. Frist, we left Yangon to Bagan-Nyaung Oo on an early morning flight to get to Kanpetlet in Mindat District, sounthern Chin State. Soon as we arrived in Bagan Nyaung Oo, we took two cars awaiting for us there and started our journey to Kanpetlet town where Mt. Vicoria is situated. During our trip by cars, we had to cross big sand dunes, greatly and much seen in central Myanmar dry arid zone. We passed the oil rigs on either side of the roads throunghout the trip. 21 miles from Bagan we arrived at Chauk.
From Chauk, we continued our journey and when we reached the east bank of Ayeyarwady and on the west bank of Chauk, we arrived at Ahnawyahta bridge which links Chauk and Seikphyu. Ahnawyahta bridge is 5,193 feet long which links the eastern and western regions of Ayeyarwady River and also is the main entrance to get to southern Chin State. After passing the bridge, we arrived at Seikphyu. As we continued our journey from Seikphyu, we arrived at Hsaw and Pakkoku feeder road and we continued to take the branch road to Hsaw. Along the route, we saw the valuable logs owned by Myanma Timber Enterprise. About 30 miles from Seikphyu, we started to climb the Phon Taung Pong Nya mountain ranges. Driving along the road on the mountain ranges we could see dense forests and after a 69-mile and 1 furlong journey with the background of beautiful Chin mountain ranges, we could see Hsaw. Entering Hsaw, we had to cross the Hsaw canal bridge which is 360 ft long and which links the eastern bank and western bank of that city.
We then continued our journey from Hsaw and arrived at Kanpetlet and Kyauktu-Mindat feeder road. From Seikphyu, it is 12 miles and 6 furlongs to get to Kanpetlet and we took the branch road and on the up hill journey we witnessed beautiful pine trees and other green trees along the way. Besides, layers of Chin mountains can also be seen at close range and the weather got so cold too. Throughout the zig-zag mountain roads at 105 mile distance from Bagan, our Myanma Radio and Television-3 crew arrived at Kanpetlet town where our destination, the Mt. Victoria stood late in the evening. Kanpetlet is situated on a total height of 4,560 ft and we could say that it is a mountain town. All the houses are built in unison on mountain sides which was an exceptional scene. Our crew spent the night with our brethren at Kanpetlet.
Early next morning, our TV crew left for Mt. Victoria by cars. It was a real zig-zag journey throughout the mountain ride. The scenic beauty was beautiful, no words could describe its beauty. There we’ve enjoyed the natural beauty of the pine forests too. At 10 miles and 2 furlongs and at the height of 9,000 ft, we arrived at the base camp of the mountain. We started our climb to Mt. Victoria. Because of the steep climb for 1 furlong, we all were a bit tired. After the steep climb we slowly climb the mountain along the winding road dug along the mountain ranges.
Locals told us that the whole mountain is covered with blood-red Rhododendrons and few forest flowers were found. We found mythons which could be found in large groups in dense mountain range forests of Chin State. As we continue with our ascent, we could look down wards and see layers of Chin mountain ranges on the way. Throughout the climb in dense thick forests, at a distance of 3 miles and 6 furlong and at the height of 1,200 ft from the car park and at a distance of 14 miles and 1 furlong and at the height of 10,500 ft from the foot of the mountain, we first saw the white alkaline paved pagoda on the peak of Mt.Victoria and finally arrived at our destination at 12 noon.
Soon as we reached, we could see the beautiful morning clouds between Indian and Chin mountian ranges and ourselves felt as if we are floating and moving in the clouds. From the base as we started to climb Mt. Victoria till we reach the top throughout our journey the natural scenic beauty was so breathtaking we felt all our tiredness just disappeared. However, no matter how tired was felt our MRTV-3 crew had successfully reached the peak of Myanmar’s 3rd highest mountain, the highest in Chin State and the highest mountain with Land top in South East Asia, “the Mt. Victoria”. The fact that we could leave Yangon and arrived at Kanpetlet in Chin State by next afternoon and reached the top of Mt. Victoria is proof of the triumph of endeavours by the State to enhance opportunities for Eco-tourism.
