Bamaw is a small town near the Chinese border. Its daily market draws many people of the surrounding Lisu, Kachin and Shan tribes. Of particular interest are the overgrown city wall ruins of Sampanago, 5 km (3 mi) East of Bamaw, capital of an ancient Shan kingdom.

As there is no airport in Bamaw, visitors have to fly to Myitkyina first and then proceed by car or bus to Bamaw.