In northern Burma, posters of Southeast Asia’s highest peak, the imposing Hkakabo Razi, are common. The peak itself is about 40 days walk from the nearest major town, Putao, in the Kachin State. It was (understandably enough) only first climbed in 1996, by a Japanese and Burmese team.
Compared to the “mountains” that dominate the more familiar landscapes of northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, this is a serious and foreboding peak. It is also almost right at the juncture of Burma, China and India. It is one extremity of New Mandala’s geographic mandate - marking one extreme of mainland Southeast Asia and its modern nation-states.
0 responses so far ↓
Add your comment in the form below.
Leave a Comment
Please note: New Mandala encourages vigorous debate. However, for the moment we will only be publishing high-quality comments that make original contributions to discussion. There will, of course, still be space for pithy, humorous, eccentric and cheeky input. Short and sweet will usually trump long and involved. Repetitive ranting, unimaginative point-scoring and idle abuse will not be entertained. Comments which carry a real name are also more likely to be approved. Thank you for your ongoing interest and contributions.