His visit to the state and its lesser-known capital of Taunggyi, or Big Mountain, was to give him a feel of the vast country outside Yangon, Myanmar's largest city and former seat of government.

About two million people of various ethnicities live in Shan state, the largest of seven states in the land with a mountain ridge that forms the tail end of the Himalayan mountains.

The state boasts a highland climate that is cool enough to plant vineyards, one of which Mr Goh visited on the way to Taunggyi.

Aythaya Vineyard produces about 60,000 bottles of wine each year for consumers in the country and delivered its first exports to Hong Kong two weeks ago, its director of technical operations, Mr Hans-Eduard Leiendecker, told reporters.

At Taunggyi, Mr Goh met Brigadier-General Yar Pyae, the chairman of the Shan State Peace and Development Council and Eastern Command Commander.

The general briefed him on developments in Shan state and its efforts to promote tourism, said the press secretary to the Senior Minister, Mr Ho Tong Yen.

One scenic spot that it is promoting is Inlay Lake, known for the vegetables that farmers grow by making use of loam from the lake.

The general also hosted Mr Goh to lunch, with chicken curry cooked in Shan style and traditional lentil soup among the dishes laid out.

Reflecting the area's rich ethnic diversity, traditional dancers - dressed in different costumes of rose pink, blue and black - entertained him and the Singapore delegation to half a dozen traditional dances.

Mr Goh's four-day visit, which started on Monday, is at the invitation of General Thein Sein, Myanmar's Prime Minister.

His earlier stops included Yangon in the south, and Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay up north.

His varied itinerary reflects the vastness that is Myanmar, which is the second largest in size among the Asean countries after Indonesia.

Its terrain is diverse, with snow-capped mountains in the far north and beach resorts in the south and the west.

Just as diverse is its population of 49 million, divided into 18 ethnic groups.

Observers say these features provide Myanmar with the potential to grow its tourism sector, which took a hit after Cyclone Nargis swept through the country and caused widespread devastation in May last year.

Mr Goh rounds up his trip today with a visit to Kayin Chuang village, two hours by road and boat from Yangon.

He will open a hospital started by donors in the village and recently completed with Singapore's help as part of its post-Cyclone Nargis recovery aid to Myanmar.

-end of ST article