When you heard Myanmar, what do you see at first sight? Yangon? Mandalay? Or Pagoda from Pagan? Well let’s explore more about Myanmar eastern territories.
Taunggyi is the largest city of Shan State, which is at East. It is above 4,712 feet and the weather is below 20 degree Celsius at most times. According to 2014 census data, there are over 1.7 million living. Sex ratio is balance and the medium age is 24, which is a good representing for labor force. Burma, Pa’O, Shan, Chinese, and other ethnic minor groups are living.
When it comes to data, there are only 1.5% of total adult are unemployed. almost 90% of man are employed. These are the force powering Taunggyi into next commercial city for the east of Myanmar.
Transportation
At Taunggyi, there is no public transportation service. Every house possesses at least a single motorbike or an automobile for their living. There is no big transportation companies operating at Taunggyi. For taxi renting service, there are few owners operating.
Daily expense
Unlike from commercial city of Myanmar, Yangon, daily expense on food and accommodation is cheap. Recent real estate sell an apartment for 300lakh which is around 18,750 USD. Meal can be purchased with 2$. The local dish can be bought starting from 500MMK (0.3$) to 3000MMK (1.8$). The famous local dishes are mainly based on rice.
Lifestyles
Taunggyi is still not integrating into modern night-life but it is stepping forward into integration step by step. Cultures of going bars, clubs and nigh-markets are starting to be popular.
Markets from Taunggyi are quite different from all around the world. Markets are closed every 15 days of selling regardless of Saturday or Sunday. There is also system called “Nger-Yat-Zay”, which mean they sell with interval of 5 days. However, to be synchronized, Mint published their own calendar for shopkeepers which is indicating when the mint will be closed and when it is being opened.
People of Taunggyi usually consume products imported from Thailand. Some famous local brand in instant noodles such as MAMA or Nippon do not win market share of Taunggyi from Quick, an imported brand from Thai. Even though daily expense on meal is quite cheap, expenses on clothing, convenience products are not cheap. This could be the result of poor management on logistics.
Seasonal Events
The most famous event, holding at Taunggyi is celebration of Ta-zung-tine full-moon day. It is the celebration of lighting festival with hot-air balloons, candles, mixed with ethnic’s cultures. It is attracting both foreigners and visitors all around Myanmar.
Other famous festivals are Pa’O lighting festival, Shan National Day, Thingyan, Pa’O National Day, and Chinese New Year Festival.
Last but not least, annual graduation ceremonies from Taunggyi Universities are also a great market for photography, clothing, make-up and traditional costumes tailors. It is usually hold around mid of November before full-moon day of Ta-zung-mone.
Opportunities
As I am writing this article from the point of business and marketing, this paragraph should not be missed. Another good reason for Taunggyi is that it is surround with nearby high tourist attraction site such as Inn Le(alike water village), Aye Tha Yar (a great place of making Wine), mountainous areas and Kalaw(famous city for treking and weather). Still, fair weather condition also supporting Taunggyi.
Popular goods and item of Taunggyi are sweaters, traditional costumes, silverware, silks, green tea and traditional food. Clothing and warm jacket market has been full up with imported products from China. However, there are still empty market for businessman from both local and foreign.
As there are visitors, travelers and over 1.7 million people reside at Taunggyi, it is a good place to make sale if you are
(1) able to import convenience products with cheap price
(2) making handmade souvenirs
(3) doing tech-related service for their living and
(4) able to make innovation with cultures from their ethnic groups
When someone is wondering what to do here in Myanmar, here is Taunggyi for him. A numbers of labor forces, still unoccupied markets would be attractive enough to everyone. Taunggyi, full of its own cultures and beauties, is growing day by day.
