Katha Travel Guide
Katha is a remote town in northeastern Myanmar, located several hundred kilometers to the north of Mandalay, west of Bhamo. It sits on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River and is best know for its Burmese Days setting.
- Worth It?
- Yes, if you are into literature and want to see the real setting for George Orwell's Burmese Days.
- What to Do
- visiting the British colonial jail and police station, boating on the river.
- Best Time to Go
- stick to traveling in northern Myanmar between November and February.
- How Long?
- A couple of days are warranted after the effort of getting here.
- Trivia
- Katha is a conurbation, encompassing several townships, with fishing and farming the main economy.
George Orwell used Katha as the setting for his bestseller, Burmese Days, and he served in the Indian Imperial Police in Katha in 1926 for a year. Sights that still stand in Katha that were mentioned in the book include the police station, the town jail, and the British Club.
Unfortunately, Katha is a bit of junta stronghold with government offices and bureaucracy at every turn, yet is still worth visiting for the attractive surroundings along the river.
Travel to Katha - Getting There
One of the most popular ways to get to Katha is by train from Mandalay, via Naba, a 12-hour journey. You can also get here direct from Mandalay by ferry along the Ayeyarwady River, as well as from Bhamo. Traveling by bus from Mandalay is the fastest option by public transport but is also very uncomfortable. Bhamo has an airport but Mandalay International Airport is the nearest major one with connections to Yangon.
Katha Things to Do
Katha Attractions
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