Kyaing Tong is located approximately 456 km from Taunggyi, the capital city of Shan State. It is inhabited by ethnic tribes such as Wa, Shan, Akha and Lahu. Kyaing Tong is full of temples and colonial buildings and is one of the most scenic towns in the Shan State. Kyaing Tong is built around a lake. As the legend says, there was a powerful magician called "Tungkalasi" who used his magic staff to drain a lake of giant proportions. Then the city was built around it. The original city walls and gates can still be seen today.
Kyaing Tong lies in the valley between the high misty mountains of the Shan Plateau and the Mekong and the Thanlwin Rivers. It is said that from 1243 A.D. to the last Sawbwa reign, there were altogether 45 Sawbwas who ruled here. Although there are many ethnic majorities and minorities living in this area, having faith in different religions, Buddhism is the main religion of this area.

Tachileik is a border town to Thailand in the eastern Shan State. There is an airport and domestic flights to Tachileik are operated from/to Yangon, Mandalay and Kyaing Tong. By road Tachileik is connected with Kyaing Tong, which is located 106 km (66 mi) and approximately two hours driving time to the north.
The most important tourist attraction is a large, gold-coloured pagoda, which, among other things, showcases the seven days of the week.