Mogok
Mogok is a small town famous for its precious stones – rubies, sapphires, emerald and all kinds of semi-precious gem stones. The majority of the people in town are involved in gem stone business – from miners, brokers, buyers, sellers, etc.. to jewelers.
Mogok is only about 150 miles north of Mandalay city. However, due to poor road conditions and for its famous winding narrow roads (mountain on one side and a very deep slope on the other side), it took about 5 hours to get to town. The only route to get to Mogok is only by car or by bus. No rail or air transportation gets to our town (unless of course, you are one of those important people who could hire a chopper – and to be important – we are not talking about money you could afford to rent one).
Mogok is located in a valley and it’s a picturesque view to see the town. The town is surrounded by mountains all around and in the middle of the town is a lake that adds the beauty to town. Though it’s a man made lake (rather an old mine flooded with water), it has become an important part of identity to the town.
There is nothing in town that could attract visitors except its food (Shan food mostly) and its famous gem stones. It has its unique features like any town in Burma and people those who have been there most certainly say they enjoy having been there. To those who have been born there, it’s a quite memory growing up in a special town – one and only – Mogok.