Myitkyina is the capital of the Kachin State in Burma (Myanmar). It is the northern most railway terminal, 919 miles from Yangon(Rangoon), 487 miles from Mandalay, and 26 miles south of "Myit Sone ", the confluence of MaiKha and MaliKha rivers.

Myitkyina and its environs, long-forbidden to foreigners, have recently become newly emerged destinations for international travelers, meaning the whole region with its different indigenous ethnic nationals, and their cultures remain unspoiled, exotic and original.

During World War II the town fell to the Allied forces under General Joseph Stilwell after a prolonged siege and heavy fighting between the Chinese divisions and Merrill's Marauders of NCAC and the besieged elements of General Masaki Honda 's Japanese 33rd Army . The town was strategically important not only because it was the administrative capital with rail and water links to the rest of Burma but also because it was on the planned route of the Ledo Road.