Heho history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Heho is rooted in the traditions of Shan State, although the exact date of the settlement's founding is not recorded in the chronicles. Initially, it was a small village inhabited by the Danu ethnic group. A significant transformation from a quiet rural settlement into an important locality began in the 1920s. It was during this period that the railway line was extended here, providing a powerful impulse for development and placing Heho on the map as a significant logistical point for the first time.

Key Formation Factors

Several strategic circumstances contributed to Heho's transformation into the "gateway" of Shan State:

• Geography: Its location on a high plateau with a cool climate made it a convenient transit point between the hot plains and the mountainous regions.
• Transport Accessibility: The construction of the railway, and later the airport, turned the town into the region's main transport hub. Heho became a key link for travelers heading to Inle Lake and the state capital, Taunggyi.
• Trade: Thanks to its convenient location, the town quickly became a center for collecting and distributing goods for the surrounding mountain villages.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Heho was built exclusively on agriculture. The fertile red soils of the plateau allowed locals to grow a variety of crops, from vegetables to tobacco. Cultural life was formed around the traditions of the Danu people and Buddhist festivals.

An important part of the lifestyle was (and remains) the traditional markets, which gathered once every five days. These fairs served not only as a place for trading livestock and harvest but also as a center for social interaction, where residents exchanged news and maintained ties between the scattered settlements of the region.

Chronology of Heho's Development

• Before the 20th Century — Scattered settlements of the Danu people exist on the territory of the modern town, engaged in traditional farming on the fertile plateau.
• 1920s — Construction of the railway line connecting Heho with the lowland part of the country, marking the start of the village's transformation into a trading hub.
• 1940s — Construction of the first airstrip, laying the foundation for the town's future status as the main aviation center of Shan State.
• 1950s — After the country gained independence, Heho continues to develop as an important agricultural center of the region.
• 1990s — With the opening of the country to foreign travelers, the town becomes the main "aerial gateway" to Inle Lake and the city of Taunggyi.
• 1999 — A large-scale reconstruction of the airport is carried out, allowing it to accommodate more modern types of aircraft.
• 2010s — The growth of tourist flow stimulates the development of local infrastructure, including the improvement of road connections to key attractions.
• Present Time — Heho has established itself as a key logistics hub, through which the main flow of tourists and agricultural produce of the state passes.

Key Stages of Heho's Development

The history of the town represents a journey from an agricultural community to a strategically important transport hub of Myanmar. The main development milestones that defined the modern appearance and economy of Heho include:

• Integration into the Railway Network (1920s): The arrival of the railway was the first step of urbanization, turning the settlement into a terminal point for the delivery of goods and raw materials, which gave a powerful stimulus to local trade.
• Creation of Aviation Infrastructure (1940s): The construction of the airstrip, initially having a strategic purpose, laid the foundation for future civil aviation and the status of the region's main "aerial gateway".
• Establishment of an Agro-industrial Center: Thanks to the plateau climate, Heho developed as a key supplier of agricultural products (especially potatoes, garlic, and cabbage) for the markets of central Myanmar, which formed the economic basis of the town.
• Development of the Traditional Market System: The strengthening of Heho's role in the "five-day market" cycle promoted cultural exchange between ethnic groups (Danu, Pa-O, Shan) and preserved the traditional way of life amidst modernization.
• Large-scale Airport Reconstruction (End of the 20th Century): Modernization of the terminal and runway to receive jet liners opened the region to international tourism, making the town an essential transit point for travelers heading to Inle Lake.
• Improvement of Road Logistics: Asphalting and widening of the highways connecting the airport with the town of Nyaungshwe and the state capital Taunggyi definitively secured Heho's role as the main distribution hub of Shan State.

Architectural Appearance and Building Features

Heho is not a city of opulent palaces or large-scale architectural ensembles. Its urban structure is typical for small transit settlements in Shan State: it is dictated by functionality and an agrarian way of life. The buildings are predominantly low-rise, stretching along the main transport arteries — the highway and the railway line.

Architectural Styles and Eras

In the appearance of Heho, one can trace a mix of several architectural trends reflecting different periods of the region's history:

• Traditional Folk Architecture (Timeless): The basis of residential buildings consists of simple houses typical of rural Myanmar. Historically, these were wooden and bamboo structures on stilts (for protection against moisture and insects), covered with thatch or palm leaves. In the modern version, wood is often replaced by brick and concrete, and roofs are covered with corrugated iron, but the general style and layout are preserved.
• Colonial Functionalism (1920s): The era of British presence left a mark in the form of railway infrastructure. The Heho Railway Station building is an example of the utilitarian architecture of that time: sturdy brick walls, high ceilings for ventilation, and wide canopies protecting passengers from tropical downpours and the sun.
• Buddhist Sacred Architecture: As in any settlement in Myanmar, the architectural dominants here are religious structures. Local pagodas and monasteries (kyaungs) stand out against the background of modest residential houses.
  • Characteristic features: Multi-tiered "pyatthat" roofs, gilded stupas (zedi), abundant decor with wood carving, and the use of bright colours (red, gold, white).
• Modern Utilitarianism (since the 1990s): The development of tourism and the modernization of the airport brought simple concrete structures to the town. The airport terminal building and new commercial rows are built in a strictly practical style, devoid of excesses, where the main goal is to ensure logistics and trade.

Iconic Landmarks

Although there are no world-famous architectural monuments in Heho, several objects form its visual image:

• Golden Stupas of Local Pagodas: Rising above the low-rise buildings and surrounding fields, they serve as the main landmarks in the town and symbolize the spiritual center of the community.
• The Market Square: The center of public life, representing a chaotic but picturesque cluster of temporary and permanent trading structures that expand on days of traditional fairs.

Notable Figures of the Region

Heho, historically being a transport hub and the gateway to Inle Lake, is inextricably linked with the fates of the rulers of the State of Yawnghwe (Nyaungshwe) and the explorers who revealed this high-mountain region to the world. Here are key figures whose activities influenced the development and fame of the territory, of which Heho became a center.

• Sao Shwe Thaik (1895–1962)
  Role: The last Saopha (Prince) of Yawnghwe, the first President of the independent Union of Burma.
  Significance: The most influential political figure of the region in the 20th century. Heho was under his jurisdiction as part of the Yawnghwe principality. It was during his time that the region began to actively integrate into national politics, and transport routes through Heho acquired strategic importance.
• Sir James George Scott (1851–1935)
  Role: British colonial administrator, writer, photographer.
  Significance: The man who systematized knowledge about Shan State. He played a key role in establishing administrative management in the mountain areas, which subsequently led to the construction of the railway connecting Heho with the rest of the country. His ethnographic works described the peoples inhabiting the plateau in detail for the first time.
• Sao Hearn Hkam (1916–2003)
  Role: Mahadevi (Princess) of Yawnghwe, politician, Member of Parliament.
  Significance: Wife of Sao Shwe Thaik and one of the most famous women in the history of Shan State. She was actively involved in social issues and education in the region. Her activities contributed to the cultural development of the surroundings of Heho and Inle Lake, as well as the preservation of the traditions of local ethnic groups.
• Maurice Collis (1889–1973)
  Role: Writer, historian, administrator.
  Significance: Author of the famous book "Lords of the Sunset", describing a journey through Shan State in the 1930s. His vivid descriptions of the plateau's nature and the life of local princes (Saophas) made this region attractive to Western travelers long before mass tourism.
• W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965)
  Role: World-renowned English writer and playwright.
  Significance: In his book "The Gentleman in the Parlour", he described a journey through the Burmese mountains and Shan State in the 1920s. His notes on the difficulties of the path and the beauty of the landscapes provide an insight into what the Heho region was like before the advent of modern infrastructure and the airport.