Supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi gather in Kachin state - a region where fighting has raged since June between ethnic Kachin rebels and government forces.

They believe the sixty-six-year-old Nobel Peace laureate is the only figure who can unify one of Asia's most ethnically diverse countries - and resolve the conflict in the Kachin state.

(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYING:

"The reason why peace has not been achieved in Kachin State is due to lack of mutual confidence and mutual respect. And that is caused by the lack of openness and honesty."

Suu Kyi is leading the campaign for the National League of Democracy (NLD) party in the run-up to the April 1 by-elections.

But the symbolism of her visit to Kachin state goes well beyond the election.

The conflict in the Kachin hills near the Chinese border represents one of the last hurdles between Myanmar and a sanctions-free relationship with the West.

Residents, weary of the conflict, are pinning their hopes on Suu Kyi.

(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) 70- YEAR-OLD KACHIN RESIDENT JOSEPH BRANSI YAW, SAYING:

"If mother Suu is a leader of our country, there will be great peace and development not only in Kachin State but also the entire country, I trust."

As many as 60,000 people have been forced into almost 80 camps in the past eight months of fighting.

Many hope Suu Kyi will walk in the footsteps of her father who created a peace deal in Kachin, five months before he was assassinated.

Sarah Wali, Reuters.