Aungban

	█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
	█ Precipitation totals in mm
	Source: Aungban Climate Data

Aungban
Climate chart (explanation)
	█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
	█ Precipitation totals in mm
	Source: Aungban Climate Data
Imperial conversion
	█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
	█ Precipitation totals in inches

Aungban

အောင်ပန်းမြို့
Aungban အောင်ပန်းမြို့
Town
	A view of Aungban
	Aungban Location of Aungban, Myanmar Aungban Aungban (Asia)
	Coordinates: 20°40′0″N 96°38′0″E / 20.66667°N 96.63333°E
Country	Myanmar
State	Shan State
Districts	Kalaw District
Township	Kalaw Township
Founded	17-April-1913
Incorporated	30-August-1973
Area
• Total	2.4 sq mi (6.2 km2)
Elevation	4,219 ft (1,286 m)
Population (March 2023)
• Total	30,982
• Rank	49th in Myanmar
• Ethnic groups	List of ethnicities Bamar (49.23%); Danu (22.66%); Pa-O (13.44%); Taungyo (5.89%) ; Shan (1.25%); Intha (1.13%); Kayin (0.22%) ; Mon (0.17%); Rakhine (0.14%); Chin (0.11%) ; Kayah (0.04)%; Dawei (0.04%); Kachin (0.03%) ; Burmese Chinese ; Burmese Indians; Burmese Gurkha ;
• Religions	List of religions Theravada Buddhism (96.2%); Islam (2.53%) ; Christianity (1.12%); Hinduism (0.15%) ;
Demonym	Aungbanthar
Time zone	UTC+6.30 (MST)
Postal code	06022
Area code	081, 082
Vehicle registration	SHN
Climate	Humid subtropical (Cwa)

Aungban (Burmese: အောင်ပန်းမြို့) (Pa'o Karen: ဝေင်ꩻအောင်ႏဗန်း) is a prominent trading town in the southern Shan State of Myanmar. Aungban plays a vital role in the national agricultural supply chain, distributing produce to various regions across the country. It is located in Kalaw Township which is part of Kalaw District. It lies on the Thazi-Kyaingtong road at an elevation of 4,219 feet (1,286 m) above sea level.

As of March 2023, the town had a recorded population of 30,982.^[1] Due to its strategic location in agricultural villages, Aungban functions as a key junction town. Local traders collect a wide variety of agricultural products; mainly potato, garlic, ginger, cabbage, tomato, cauliflower, avocado, orange, and tea-leaves, from nearby towns and villages^[5] and distribute to other parts of the country, especially Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Nyaung U, Tachileik, Kayin and Mon. The town's significance dates back to the colonial era, with its railway system playing a crucial role in transporting agricultural produce, notably potatoes, which were once renowned in Kolkata.^[6]

Etymology

The name Aungban (Burmese: အောင်ပန်းမြို့) carries a rich historical and cultural significance rooted in the town's development during the British colonial era. Originally, the area was known as Thar Mai Kham, which translates to "Thar Yar Shwe Pyi," meaning "pleasant nation."^[6]

During British colonial rule, the town was renamed Aungban. While the exact etymology of "Aungban" isn't definitively documented, the name change reflects the town's evolution and its growing importance as a transportation and trade hub. The establishment of the railway terminus in Aungban played a pivotal role in its development, facilitating the export of local agricultural products. The renaming of Thar Mai Kham to Aungban symbolizes a period of transformation, marking the town's emergence as a significant center for commerce and agriculture in southern Shan State. The town's strategic location and the establishment of railway infrastructure contributed to its prominence in the region.^[6]

Overview

As Aungban is considered a trading hub within the surrounding region, more than half a dozen banks operate there. Owing to its logistic importance, some of the largest companies in Myanmar's agricultural value chain have set up branch offices in Aungban, which has created many employment opportunities for the local populace.^[1]

The town also plays a strategic role in Myanmar's military operations, as the town houses an army base. A military hospital with a 700-bed capacity began operating in the 2000s, providing healthcare service not only to military personnel, but also to the wider public. A small lake in Bahtoo Park, Aungban, named Mingalar Lake, began as a collection of drain water discharged from living quarters. Renovation and restoration work carried out by the chairman of KBZ Bank transformed the site, and now it functions as a recreational area for residents.^[1]

Geography

Topography

Aungban is part of the Shan Plateau, a highland region characterized by rolling hills, plateaus, and valleys. The terrain is undulating, with gentle slopes and fertile valleys, making it suitable for both crop cultivation and livestock grazing.^[7]

The town is surrounded by pine forests, farmland, and seasonal streams, contributing to its lush and green appearance year-round. It is situated on a rolling plain and there are no high ranges of hills except those found towards the western part of the town. The average elevation of the town lies between 4,000 and 4,500 feet. The highest mountain peaks can be found on the northwest of the town. About one-third of the town area is considered lowland.^[8]

Hydrology

While there are no major rivers in Aungban itself, the region benefits from seasonal rainfall and small streams and springs that contribute to irrigation and natural vegetation. Its highland position also makes it part of several watershed areas that feed larger river systems downstream.

Soil

Researches have shown three primary soil types in Aungban^[7] , each playing a vital role in the region’s biodiversity and agricultural productivity:

1. Red Earth and Yellow Earth: These brightly hued soils dominate the higher elevations and rolling hills around Aungban. Rich in iron oxide, their red and yellow tones paint the terrain in warm, earthy colors.

Ideal for: Tea, coffee, vegetables, and flowers.
Properties: Well-drained, moderately acidic, and rich in minerals—perfect for crops that thrive in upland conditions.
Location: Hill slopes and elevated farmlands.

2. Mountainous Brown Forest Soils: Beneath Aungban’s forested hills lies this dark, nutrient-rich soil. Formed from decomposed organic matter and mountain minerals, it’s a foundation for some of the region’s most vibrant ecosystems.

Ideal for: Dense forests, including evergreen and pine forests.
Properties: Deep, moisture-retentive, and packed with organic nutrients.
Location: Mountainous, wooded areas.

3. Meadow and Alluvial Soils: In the valley floors and lowlands, meadow and meadow alluvial soils dominate. These are formed by ancient rivers depositing fertile sediments over time.

Ideal for: Rice paddies, root vegetables, and flower cultivation.
Properties: Moisture-rich and highly fertile, with a fine, loamy texture.
Location: Near rivers, flatlands, and farming zones.

Climate

The high elevation gives Aungban a cooler, temperate climate compared to the lowland tropical regions of Myanmar. The area experiences mild summers, cool winters, and frequent mists—ideal for agriculture and floriculture. Aungban has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Cwa), closely bordering a subtropical highland climate (Cwb) according to the Köppen climate classification system. The town has three seasons: the hot, dry inter-monsoonal season (mid-February to mid-May), the rainy southwest monsoon season (mid-May to late October), and the cool, relatively dry northeast monsoon season (late October to mid-February).^[7]

The average annual temperature in Aungban is 19.1 °C (66.4 °F). The warmest month of the year is April, with an average temperature of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F).

At 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) on average, January is the coldest month of the year. The variation in annual temperature is around 8.5 °C (15.3 °F).

The yearly rainfall is 1,654 mm (65.1 in). The difference in precipitation between the driest month and the wettest month is 290 mm (11 in).

Climate data for Aungban (1982–2012)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	21.7 (71.1)	23.3 (73.9)	27.3 (81.1)	29.3 (84.7)	26.8 (80.2)	24.7 (76.5)	24.1 (75.4)	24 (75)	24.7 (76.5)	24.3 (75.7)	22.6 (72.7)	20.9 (69.6)	24.5 (76.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	6.8 (44.2)	7.6 (45.7)	11.9 (53.4)	16.1 (61.0)	17 (63)	17.4 (63.3)	17.4 (63.3)	17.6 (63.7)	17.1 (62.8)	15.6 (60.1)	11.7 (53.1)	8.2 (46.8)	13.7 (56.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	3 (0.1)	5 (0.2)	13 (0.5)	50 (2.0)	205 (8.1)	244 (9.6)	274 (10.8)	293 (11.5)	259 (10.2)	209 (8.2)	84 (3.3)	15 (0.6)	1,654 (65.1)
Average rainy days	1	0.2	8	14	27	21	30	29	24	24	2	3	183.2
Average relative humidity (%)	64	44	38	50	72	86	91	93	90	87	85	70	72.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours	231	255	316	375	357	247	190	178	188	229	209	231	3,006
Mean daily sunshine hours	7	8	10	12	12	9	8	8	9	8	7	7	8.75
Average ultraviolet index	4	5	6	6	6	6	4	6	5	5	4	5	5.2
Source 1: Aungban Monthly Climate Averages
Source 2: Norwegian Meteorological Institute^[9]

Natural Disasters

Earthquake

On 28 March 2025, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, leaving a trail of destruction across the nation. A hotel in Aungban collapsed during the tremors, trapping 25 individuals and resulting in at least 10 fatalities. Rescue teams managed to save the remaining survivors, but the tragedy underscored the quake's severity. Nearby, in Nampang Village, approximately 100 homes were flattened, with two children among the deceased.^[10] Despite the immense challenges, the people of Aungban have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Local volunteers mobilized to clear debris, provide aid, and support one another in the face of adversity. Yet, the path to recovery is long and fraught with obstacles.

Flood

Between 9 and 15 September 2024, Aungban experienced significant flooding due to the remnants of Typhoon Yagi. As the heavy rain fell over several days, low-lying areas quickly became submerged. Railway services, crucial for transporting goods and people across Shan State, were suspended as floodwaters inundated the Thazi–Shwenyaung route, including the vital Aungban station yard. Roads became impassable, markets closed, and normal life came to a sudden halt.^[11]

Emergency responses were swift but insufficient. Local volunteers mobilized to provide immediate relief, distributing food and helping with evacuations. Nationally, over a million people were affected, with over 360 confirmed fatalities and more than 100 still missing by the end of September. Agricultural land, particularly in fertile regions like Shan State, suffered severe damage, leading to fears of long-term economic and food security consequences.

The floods compounded the challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Aungban. Over 2,000 IDPs from Lashio and other conflict-affected areas had sought refuge in the town, residing in monasteries and makeshift shelters. The flooding exacerbated their already dire conditions, leading to acute shortages of food, shelter, and medical assistance.^[12]

Transportation

The town is located on the Union Highway, making it directly accessible by highway buses coming from both Upper and Lower Myanmar. It plays a major role as a junction town, lying slightly east of Heho by about 14 miles (23 km), where roads branch off south to Loikaw, Kayah State, north to the temples of Pindaya at about 25 miles (40 km) and west to Kalaw at 6 miles (9.7 km).

Air

In the 1920s, the single-line railway was extended from Aungban to Shwenyaung, allowing Heho, a small village of Danu people, to grow into a town. An airport was later built 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of the town. The airport served as an airbase both for the Allies and the Japanese during World War II, and was bombed by the Allies during the war. Evidence of aircraft bunker revetments and bomb craters, especially noticeable from the air, can still be seen on the southern end of the airfield. Myanmar National Airlines and Air KBZ offer direct flights from Yangon to Heho daily, with prices starting at MMK 66,000 and an estimated travel time of 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Railway

The railway reached Aungban in 1915 as part of the Thazi–Shwenyaung line, constructed during the British colonial era. This extension transformed Aungban from a modest village into a vital transport hub, facilitating the movement of goods and people across the Shan Highlands. The railway's presence spurred economic activities, particularly in agriculture, with Aungban becoming renowned for its potato production. These potatoes were transported via rail to cities like Kolkata, enhancing the town's economic stature.^[6]

In the early 1990s, the railway network expanded further with the construction of the Aungban–Loikaw line. This 63 miles metre-gauge railway connected Aungban to Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, improving accessibility and fostering regional integration. The Working People's Daily newspaper reported in 1992 that over 300,000 people had contributed 'voluntary labor' for the Aungban-Loikaw railway line connecting the states of Shan and Kayah. By the end of the project one year later, the total number had risen to almost 800,000. However, many independent and credible testimonies have indicated that this labor was not 'voluntary', and was in fact forced.^[13]

A view of Aungban Station (27 September 2019)

Road

In recent times, the motorway passing through Aungban has been expanded to include four lanes, and buildings that fell under the Union Highway zone were demolished. This motorway upgrade was completed in April 2020.

A decision to demolish Colonel Ba Htoo's Memorial Monument on 28 March 2019 was reached after consultation by a committee consisting of the state government officials, lawmakers, party representatives, and community elders from the town. The committee decided to construct a new monument near the original place. Colonel Ba Htoo (12 July 1916 – 2 June 1945) was a senior member of the Burma Independence Army, and best known for his leadership in the battle against the Japanese forces in Upper Myanmar while General Aung San commanded the resistance in Lower Myanmar.

As Major Ba Htoo and his company drove the Japanese troops out from Mandalay into southern Shan State, he contracted a severe case of malaria. He died from malaria in Te Lu village (Burmese: တဲ့လုကျေးရွာ), Ywangan Township, Shan State on 2 June 1945, at the age of just twenty-nine years old. He died without seeing the letter informing him that General Aung San had promoted him to colonel, and without saying goodbye to his wife and three children, from whom he had been parted since he joined the army in 1942.

In addition to the monument, some residential homes, banks, and other buildings have also been removed to widen the Union Highway. According to the reliable sources, the original Monument was opened on 15 June 1945 in honor of Colonel Ba Htoo. The demolished column had been built over the original monument by Assistant Township Officer U Thein Hlaing in the transition period from Aungban township to Kalaw township on 1 October 1965.^[14] Controversial and criticisms arose around the country for complete demolishment without considering for relocation.

The committee agreed that the urn holding the colonel's ashes would be retrieved and placed inside the new monument. Nonetheless, the urn had not been located upon further digging inside the monument, indicating that the real urn of Colonel Ba Htoo is inside the monument located in Te Lu village (Burmese: တဲ့လုကျေးရွာ) of Ywangan Township, Shan State.

The construction of the monument was completed and to be opened on 27 March 2020. However, the opening ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[15]

The town's 100-year-anniversary clock-tower at the Pindaya junction was also removed.

Administration

Aungban is administratively divided into 12 wards, each contributing to the town's unique character and community life. These wards serve as the foundational units for local governance, facilitating municipal services and fostering neighborhood identities.^[1] Each ward in Aungban reflects the town's rich cultural tapestry, housing diverse ethnic groups such as the Bamar, Danu, Pa-O, Taungyo, Shan, and Intha. This diversity is evident in the variety of religious sites, including Buddhist monasteries, Christian churches, Hindu temples, and mosques, which coexist harmoniously throughout the wards.

Map of Aungban showing all 12 Wards (September 2019)

List of Wards in Aungban:^[1]

Nyaung Pin Htaung (Burmese: ညောင်ပင်ထောင်ရပ်ကွက်)
Hle Yoe (Burmese: လှည်းရိုးရပ်ကွက်)
Ywar Ngan Su (Burmese: ရွာငံစုရပ်ကွက်)
No(1) (Burmese: ရပ်ကွက် ၁)
No(2) (Burmese: ရပ်ကွက် ၂)
Moe Kaung (Burmese: မိုးကောင်းရပ်ကွက်)
No(3) (Burmese: ရပ်ကွက် ၃)
No(4) (Burmese: ရပ်ကွက် ၄)
Lett Ma Pin (Burmese: လက်မပင်ရပ်ကွက်)
Myo Haung (Burmese: မြို့ဟောင်းရပ်ကွက်)
Min Ga Lar (Burmese: မင်္ဂလာရပ်ကွက်)
Ywar Thit (Burmese: ရွာသစ်ရပ်ကွက်)

Demographics

As of March 2023, the estimated population of the town was recorded to be 30,982; about 68% of which were children below the age of 18. The total residential household of the town was reported to be 7,249. The male population of the town was 48.3%, and the female population 51.7%. The report also showed that the town has a small percentage of resident foreigners; 3.71% from India, 1.24% from China, 1.05% from Nepal, 0.92% from Pakistan and 0.11% from Bangladesh.^[1]

Historical Population
Year	Pop.	±%
1973		—
1983		—
2006	27,385	—
2014	37,835	+38.2%
2019	30,515	−19.3%
2023	30,982	+1.5%
Ministry of Home Affairs^[1] 2006^[7] 2014^[16]

Ethnicity

Aungban's most remarkable feature is its ethnic mosaic. The Bamar people form the largest ethnic group, making up about 49% of the population. But it doesn’t stop there. Danu (23%), Pa-O (13%), Taungyo (6%), and smaller groups such as the Shan and Intha enrich the cultural landscape. On market days, the variety of traditional dress on display is a visual feast—from the dark indigo outfits of the Pa-O to the colorful headscarves of the Danu.

Adding to the mix are Burmese Chinese, Burmese Indians, and Gurkhas, who together account for around 7% of the population. This ethnic cocktail contributes to a diverse array of cuisines, customs, and community festivals year-round.

Ethnicities of Aungban– 2023 March^[1]
Ethnic group			Percentage
Bamar			49.23%
Danu			22.66%
Pa-O			13.44%
Taungyo			5.89%
Shan			1.25%
Intha			1.13%
Others			6.4%

Linguistic Diversity

Burmese is the common tongue, but in the tea shops and homes of Aungban, a chorus of ethnic languages tells a deeper story. The Pa-O language is widely spoken among the Pa-O community, acting as both a linguistic bridge and a cultural anchor. Nearby villages near Aungban also preserve the Danau language, an Austroasiatic tongue, and it is spoken by about 3,000 individuals. This language is considered critically endangered, underscoring the importance of cultural preservation efforts.

Religion

Religions in Aungban (2023 March)^[1]
Religion			Percent
Buddhism			96.2%
Islam			2.53%
Christianity			1.12%
Hinduism			0.15%

Religion plays a central role in the lives of Aungban's residents. The town is overwhelmingly Theravada Buddhist (96.2%), and its landscape is dotted with golden stupas and serene monasteries. It’s not uncommon to see lines of young novice monks collecting alms at dawn—a timeless ritual that underscores the town’s deep spiritual roots.

Yet, Aungban is also home to other faiths. There’s a quiet but present Muslim community (2.5%), a handful of Christians (1.1%), and a few Hindus (0.15%). Mosques, churches, and temples stand side by side, a testament to the town’s peaceful coexistence.

From the same report, 0.6% of the town's population were monks, 2% were samanera, and 0.04% were nuns. The town holds many Kyaung monasteries and every morning a lot of monks collecting alms bowls of food can be seen. The town is also home to many Chinese-descendant Buddhists who have established a Chinese temple. Muslims make up the second-largest religious group in the town, 2.53% of the town's population. Christians represent 1.12% of the town and a small community of Hindus make up 0.15%.^[1]There are Catholic churches, Baptist churches, Hindu temples, and mosques in Aungban.

Culture

Religious celebrations are held throughout the year. The Tazaungdaing festival is the most widely celebrated holiday of the town. It is also known as the Festival of Lights and it is usually held on the full moon day of Tazaungmon, the eighth month of the Burmese calendar (November in Gregorian calendar).^[17] It also marks the end of Kathina (ကထိန်) season, during which monks are offered new robes and alms.

During the festival, many hot air balloons are released as an offering to the Sulamani cetiya in Tavitisma, heaven in Buddhist cosmology and home of the deva, or as a way to drive away evil spirits. Hot-air balloons and firework-launching competitions are the main attractions of the town. Alms-giving and charity, both religious and secular, including satuditha feasts (စတုဒိသာ), are also commonly undertaken during this festival, as a means of merit-making.^[18]

Aungban Tazaungdaing (11 November 2019)

Others return home to pay homage to elders (gadaw) and visit pagodas. In Burmese tradition, during the full moon day of Tazaungmon, Burmese families pick Siamese cassia buds and prepare it in a salad called mezali phu thoke (မယ်ဇလီဖူးသုပ်) or in a soup. The people believe that eating Mezali buds is beneficial to their health and will cure any illnesses. The salad has to be eaten when the clock strikes exactly 12:00 midnight to get the full effect. On this night, young men celebrate a custom called "kyimano pwe" (ကျီးမနိုးပွဲ, literally. "The Event before the Rise of Crows"), by stealing or playing tricks on the neighbors. Burmese people believe that this constellation is related to the Pleiades or Saw Ra (Theft) under whose influence people like to steal things.^[19]

Economy

The town is vital in Myanmar's food production as it produces the majority of vegetables and agricultural commodities needed daily by Yangon and other populated cities. For instance, a study states that the town holds 80% of ginger production and market share in the country. The ILO Vision Zero Fund in Myanmar is providing ginger farmers from the town with better information on the safe use of agrochemicals and other Occupational safety and health (OSH) related information that can improve their working conditions and inform the government stakeholders including the Department of Agriculture.^[20]

The town's economy can be briefly classified into agrarian and non-agrarian. Farmers, village collectors, traders, BSCs (broker sale center), daily wage earners for quality sorting and cleaning products, porters, agricultural input-product dealers, etc. are at the frontline of the former economy. Many cargo trucks are operated by the townsmen, followed by several vehicle maintenance workshops, fuel stations and car spare part dealers. As farming is done on terraced fields and slopes, it is difficult to utilize machines at full scale and farmers still have to rely on animals, especially oxen and buffaloes. There is a periodic animal market in the town. The presence of several cattle spreading around the region has led dairy product firms to be established. The town is a leading yogurt producer in the southern Shan State.

The non-agrarian sector involves providing entertainment businesses, food, and basic supplies to the town's residences, which is doubled by army base stations around the town, boarding schools, and the military hospital. Private hospitals and supermarkets are likely to be developed soon, as the town's geological advantage and spending power of the community are attractive to investors. The recent Town Committee's permit to develop Aungban's Pindaya exit road as an entertainment zone let KTVs mushroom along the road, forming as the only red-light district in the region. Pin-Hmi golf range is located near the southern exit of the town. Special tournaments are often held by the club, which is commonly sponsored by KBZ Bank.

Tourism

A recent boom in the tourism industry of Kalaw as a hiking spot and hill station has brought some impact to Aungban as well. There are star-rated hotels offering hundreds of rooms to visitors. The number of international tourist arrivals in Aungban was 4,211 visitors, recorded in 2012, and increased to over 20,000 in 2018.^[7] There is a small resort on Aungban-Indein road, located in the midst of the pine forest, which is well known amongst local and foreign trekkers from Kalaw to Inle.

The town has a five-day market, where farmers from around the area come to Aungban on market day and sell fresh produce in the open market. The large street market circulates on a five-day rota system between the neighboring towns of Kalaw, Pindaya, Heho, Nyaung Shwe and Aungban.

Market Day (27 December 2019)

Market Day (2 January 2020)

Market Day (21 March 2020)

Typical Market day in Aungban

Agriculture

Although the town's main economy is commercial trading, there are many farms and gardens in and outside of the town. Farmers and gardeners are mostly ethnically Danu and Pa-O. The main agricultural products are potatoes, cauliflower, avocadoes, oranges, tea leaves, tomatoes, beans, damsons, and seasonal fruits.

List of Banks being operated

Name	Address	Phone
CB Bank	No. (4/480), Pyi Htaung Su Road, Nyaung Pin Htaung Ward, Aungban	081-61275
AYA Bank	No (73/135), Pindaya Road, No (3) Ward, Aungban	081-61255
Yoma Bank	No (18/368), Pyitaungsu Road, No (4) Ward, Aungban	081–60482, 081–60483, 081–60490, 081–60491, 081-50492
UAB Bank	No. (43),Pyi Htaung Su Road, No (4) Ward, Aungban	081-61303
KBZ Bank	No. (47), Pyi Htaung Su Road, No (4) Ward, Aungban	081–60708, 081–61055, 081-61057
Global Treasure Bank	No. (8), Ba Htoo Street, No (4) Ward, Aungban	081- 61058, 081–61059, 081-61281
Myawaddy Bank	No. (26) Pyi Htaung Su Road, Moe Kaung Ward, Aungban	081-61311
AGD Bank	No. (24), U Thant Street, No (1) Ward, Aungban	-
MAB Bank	No. (26), Pyi Htaung Su Road, Moe Kaung Ward, Aungban	081–61278, 081-61279
First Private Bank	No. 187, Pyi Htaung Su Road, Nyaung Pin Htaung Ward, Aungban	081–60501, 081-60503
Source: Central Bank of Myanmar's List of Private Banks

Education

The town is home to the regional campus of Yezin Agricultural University (YAU).^[21]

Starting in the 2009 academic year, third-year and fourth-year undergraduate students have to select one crop as a specialized subject and study off-campus at one of seven designated farms of the Myanmar Agricultural Service, to expose students to their specialized crop and become crop specialists. Undergraduate students come to the Aungban campus to study and do research on maize and cereals.

The seven-hundred-bed military hospital also serves as a teaching hospital for Defence Service Medical Academy's house surgeons from Yangon. Therefore, several students of various age-levels can be seen in the town.

The Education and Training Department from the Ministry of Border Affairs will soon open the Technical School for National Youths in Border Area, Aungban.^[22] Upon completion of all construction works on campus, 75 students will be able to enroll on the vocational training programme, in which the curriculum of each course is designed to take about 22 weeks. The school intends to educate 150 trainees a year.^[23]

Vocational training courses include:

Masonry and steelworks under civil construction
Household wiring, air-conditioning and refrigeration
Electric arc and gas welding
Automotive repair (engine, body and wiring)
Repair of IT devices

Ariel View of Youth Training School, Aungban ( October 2021)

Notable people

Dagon Taya

Dagon Taya Burmese: ဒဂုန်တာရာ; (10.5.1919 – 19.8.2013), was a renowned Myanmar writer. He was born at Htai Ku Myit Tan Village (Mon), Kyaiklat Township, Ayeyarwady Region on 10 May 1919. His other pen names were Myaing Thazin, Maung Nan Nwe, Saw Htut, U Toe, Maung Linn Htet, Banya Thiha and U Dagon.

He was one of the many dissident politicians, workers, students, and writers detained by the Revolutionary Council after a coup led by General Ne Win in 1962. He was detained in the Insein prison for three years and three months. He issued an appeal which strongly opposed the Myitsone Dam Project in September 2011.^[24]

He was honored with the Manhae Peace Prize from South Korea for his literature, leadership for young people and dedication to democracy and peace in August 2013.^[25]

He passed away at Aungban, southern Shan State on 19 August 2013.^[26] His monument can be seen at the Maeko Mountain (မယ်ခိုတောင်) of Aungban surrounded by pine trees.

Dagon Taya Monument surrounded by pine trees (11 June 2019)

Lu Min (actor)

Lu Min (Burmese: လူမင်း) is a four-time Myanmar Academy Award winning Burmese actor and director. Born and raised in Aungban, he was Chairman of the Myanmar Motion Picture Organisation from 2014 to 2017. He acted in over 1000 films.^[27]^[28]

Aungchanthar Pagoda (Burmese: ၁၀၈ တောင်)

Aungchanthar Pagoda is a 162-foot (49-meter) replica of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda. It was founded on 20 July 2005 – the full moon day of Waso, (1367 in the Myanmar calendar). Its name means "Victory and Prosperity".

Though affectionately referred to as "108 taung," (Burmese: ၁၀၈ တောင်) the mountain’s actual name is Myanandar Kyauk Taung (Burmese: မြနန္ဒာကျောက်တောင်). The nickname "108 taung" comes from the pagoda’s impressive height—108 feet, a sacred number in Buddhist tradition, which also features on the official signpost marking the site.^[8]

Leading the project is U Pyinnya Wunsa (68 years old), the abbot of Aungchanthar monastery and a member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, locally known as Aungchanthar Sayadaw.

The Thiri Mingala Aung Chantha Pagoda (Burmese: သီရိမင်္ဂလာ အောင်ချမ်းသာစေတီတော်မြတ်ကြီး) was modeled after Yangon’s world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Set just 1.5 miles west of the town center, the pagoda crowns the summit of Myanandar Hill (Burmese: မြနန္ဒာကျောက်တောင်) and has already become a symbol of spiritual pride for the local community.

There are two main ways to reach the pagoda. Pilgrims and visitors can either walk up a traditional stairway adorned with religious carvings or follow a winding motor road that circles the hill to the summit—an easier option for the elderly or those unable to hike. Either route offers a deeply immersive journey surrounded by the natural beauty of Shan State.

As of 2020, the pagoda has been under construction for about fifteen years. In 2005, it was estimated to cost about Kyat 7.6 billion. When completed, the pagoda will be encircled by 107 smaller stupas, ranging in height from 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.7 m). While the Aungchanthar Pagoda(Burmese: ၁၀၈ တောင်) will replicate Shwedagon Pagoda, it will also incorporate a hollow interior.

A view of 108 taung pagoda (14 September 2023)

This Pagoda is not just an architectural marvel; it is also a spiritual center poised to become one of the most revered landmarks in Shan State. Once completed, it will stand as the tallest pagoda in Aungban, visible from nearly every direction, offering not only spiritual refuge but also a visual centerpiece for the region.