Kachins: They are found in the northern region where the Shan State borders with the Kachin State. The Kachin breed livestock and grow vegetables, corn and rice in remote mountainous villages.
Dhanu: These people are settled in the lowlands on the western slopes of the Shan Plateau bordering with Burma. The Dhanu work on their paddy fields and vegetable farms.
Intha-s: These people live on the Floating villages and vegetable plots in the largest inland lake called Inlay where silk weaving and local handicrafts have been their home industry for generations.
Lahu: They are found east of the Salween along the mountainous border region between the Shan State and Thailand.
Akha: Akha mostly live in the border areas between the Shan State and Laos.

Kokangnese: Kokangnese are found in the Northeastern Shan State close to the Yunnan Province. They farm, breed livestock and conduct cross border trading with China.
Padaung or Kayan: Padaung settled in the south around Mong Pai Township where farming is their livelihood. Their womenfolk are known as ‘giraffenecks’ because of the brass or silver rings worn round their necks as adornments.
Lisu or Lisaw: Lisu are scattered in the north and southern Shan State remote mountainous regions on large and permanent settlements, because of their accustomed slash and burn farming traditions.
Yang-lam: Yang-lam are found around Ming-su and Kesi-wansam in the central region living on primitive farming.
Liju: Liju are found around Kokang State in the north. They rely on livestock raising and hill-farming.
Chinese and Indian immigrants are found throughout the country and are mostly traders, shopkeepers and money-lenders. Some also live on farming and livestock breeding too.
Burmese or Burmans: Burmese are scattered throughout Shan State as government employees in offices, schools and administrative centers. They also came in to find work as manual laborers and hired hands doing various jobs in towns and in the countryside. Many ethnic groups such as the En, Dhanor, Palay, and others can be found making their living on primitive farms with contentment. All the different national groups have lived harmoniosly together for thousand of years sharing hardships and prosperity in times of peace and war.

RELIGIONS

    The Buddhist religion, spread into the Shan society nine years after the Lord Buddha attained His enlightenment (Mong Mao Chronicle) and came to Loi Seng monastery to teach Buddhism among the Shans (Dai/Tai) people. The Loi Seng monastery is still at the same place situated near the Mong Mao district town known to the Chinese as Ruili today. Naturally, Buddhist religion emphasizes respect to the elderly. It became a tradition of the Shans since then. Religious learning, self-training through meditation, reflection on one's deeds and the study and the assessment of the Law of Nature as Buddhism teaches made them acquire wisdom. The younger generation's respect for the elders' wisdom also became a tradition.