# Kengtung

> town in Shan State, Myanmar

**Wikidata**: [Q1027111](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1027111)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kengtung)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kengtung

## Summary
Kengtung is a town located within Kengtung Township in Shan State, Myanmar. Situated at an elevation of 804 meters, the settlement covers an area of 3,506 square kilometers and had a population of 75,865 as of 2013. The town is historically significant for the Haw Long, the former palace of the Saofas, which was demolished in 1991.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Identified as both a town in Myanmar and a city (large human settlement).
- **Location**: Situated in Kengtung Township, Shan State, Myanmar.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 21.291388888889, Longitude 99.603888888889.
- **Area**: 3,506 square kilometres.
- **Elevation**: 804 metres above sea level.
- **Population**: 75,865 (recorded in 2013).
- **Timezone**: UTC+06:30.
- **Native Name**: ကျိုင်းတုံမြို့.
- **Historical Event**: The Palace of the Saofas of Kengtung (Haw Long) was demolished in 1991 by the military junta despite local protests.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 133870780; GeoNames ID 1319365; Library of Congress Authority ID n97922298.

## FAQs
**Where is Kengtung located?**
Kengtung is a town in Shan State, Myanmar, specifically situated within Kengtung Township. Its precise coordinates are 21.291388888889 latitude and 99.603888888889 longitude.

**What is the historical significance of the Kengtung palace?**
The town formerly housed the Haw Long, or Palace of the Saofas of Kengtung. This structure was demolished in 1991 by the military junta despite protests from the local community.

**What are the demographic and geographic statistics for Kengtung?**
The town covers an area of 3,506 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 804 metres above sea level. In 2013, the population was recorded as 75,865.

## Why It Matters
Kengtung serves as a notable administrative and historical hub within the Shan State of Myanmar. The town is distinguished by the historical presence of the Saofas' palace, the demolition of which in 1991 represents a significant cultural loss and a pivotal moment in the town's modern history. Its extensive area of over 3,500 square kilometres and its specific UTC+06:30 timezone placement further define its geographic and administrative importance in the region.

## Notable For
- **Historical Landmark**: The site of the demolished Palace of the Saofas (Haw Long).
- **Geographic Status**: Covers a substantial area of 3,506 square kilometres.
- **Nomenclature**: Known by multiple aliases including Kyaingtong, Chiang Tung, and Kengtong.
- **Global Cataloging**: Extensively cataloged in major libraries and knowledge bases including the Library of Congress, BNF, and VIAF.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Kengtung is located in Shan State, Myanmar, and serves as a major settlement within Kengtung Township. The town's geographic footprint is substantial, spanning 3,506 square kilometres. It is positioned at an elevation of 804 metres above sea level, with precise coordinates at 21.291388888889 latitude and 99.603888888889 longitude. The region operates on the UTC+06:30 timezone. Demographically, the town recorded a population of 75,865 in 2013.

### History and Heritage
A central element of Kengtung's history is the Haw Long (Palace of the Saofas of Kengtung). This structure served as the palace for the local rulers. According to image documentation and archival records, the palace was demolished in 1991 by the ruling military junta, an action that occurred despite local opposition.

### Nomenclature and Linguistics
The town is natively labeled as ကျိုင်းတုံမြို့. It is recognized internationally under various aliases, reflecting its diverse linguistic influences. These names include Kyaingtong, Chiang Tung, Cheingtung, Kengtong, Kyaing Tong, and Japanese variations ケントゥン and ケンツン. Wikipedia entries for the town exist in over 20 languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Burmese.

### Digital and Library Identifiers
Kengtung is indexed in numerous international databases and library systems:
- **Library Catalogs**: Library of Congress Authority ID (n97922298), National Library of Israel J9U ID (987007535641705171), and Bibliothèque nationale de France ID (150561896).
- **Knowledge Bases**: VIAF ID (133870780), FAST ID (1337438), GeoNames ID (1319365), Freebase ID (/m/07l45r), BBC Things ID (71baf8ab-e2d5-4874-934c-7fc41557f471), and Who's on First ID (1259763675).
- **Academic and Research IDs**: Yale Lux ID (place/75f33117-1a77-4c6b-b60b-a53910afaa53) and GNS Unique Feature ID (-419917).

### Media and Visuals
Visual documentation of the town includes a specific page banner hosted on Wikimedia Commons depicting the bazaar outside the Mongkhet Myoma Market. Additionally, images of the former palace site are available, contributing to the historical record of the Saofas' rule. The main category for media related to this entity on Wikimedia Commons is "Kengtung."

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. GeoNames
5. BBC Things
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File