Inle Lake

The vast and serene Inle Lake is one of Burma's top tourist attractions. Located in the middle of the southern part of the Shan Plateau, east of Burma, with a length of 22 km and width of 11 km, Inle is the second largest lake in the country. Located 900m above sea level and surrounded by mountains, Inle Lake enjoys a cool and pleasant climate all year round. Therefore, it is an ideal destination for travelers for its idyllic setting, its tranquility, its homes, its market and vegetable gardens on the water - a perfect place to make a stopover for a few days during any stay in Burma.
Beside its considerable natural beauty, the lake also attracts tourists to the stilt houses of the Inthas, the descendants of the Mons of the extreme south-east. They are known for their rowing skills by paddling on slender pasta boats with a single paddle that they handle with one leg. They catch the fish with a conical trap that they put on the bottom of the vase. The flexibility of their movements makes fishermen one of the most remarkable images.
Embark on a canoe that will transport you to unsuspected landscapes with houses on stilts, pagodas, floating gardens that wave at the rhythm of the currents. Do not miss the opportunity to admire the lake in the early morning, with its waters of opal blue, the mountains that surround it and graceful fishermen as as dancers, all contribute to this lake an extraordinary magic note.
The surroundings of Inle Lake are dotted with archeological and architectural surprises. As everywhere in Burma, there are more than 100 Buddhist shrines and monasteries in and around the lake, plus remarkable ruins in the villages of Sagar and Indein.
 
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda:
The one that attracts not only Buddhists but also non-Buddhists is Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. Located along the canals between the markets of Ywa-ma and Nam-pan, in the central part of the lake, Phaung Daw Oo is the residence of five small ancient images of the Buddha covered with gold leaves to the point of no longer being recognizable. Every year, during the month of Thadingyut (September - October), there is an 18-day feast, during which, a royal boat vehicle 4 sacred statues on the lake (one of the others remains in the temple), with stops planned for the worship of crowds. Propulsion is provided by more than 100 rowers, and sometimes even by rowers.
 
Ywama:
The village of Ywama at Inle Lake is the largest village with streets like canals. There are some beautiful teak houses built on the large wooden posts sunk into the lake. The main activity and attraction is the floating market in the largest canal.
Traveling to Ywama village will take 15 minutes by boat. The magnificent floating market is recognized. You can visit the goldsmiths' workshop and observe the sculpture and umbrella industries.
 
Khaung Daing:
Khaung Daing is the native village on the northwestern shore of Inle Lake. He is known for his production of soy cakes and noodles. There are some interesting temples of Shan just outside the village. A little north of Khaung Daing is a hot spring where you can take a bath.
 
The Inle Lake area
Kalaw:
Before arriving at Inle Lake about 30km away, relax in an old Kalaw hill station with a laid-back vibe and panoramic views. Located 1320m above sea level at the western end of the Shan plateau, it was established as a summer resort by the British during the colonial era with its mild temperatures all year round.
Kalaw is the ideal crossroads where you can see ethnic minority tribes such as Pa-O, Pa-laung and Da-nu. Outside Kalaw, a short hike to the tea villages perched in the mountains will take you to the Palaungs. Here people still wear their colorful traditional costume and hairstyle.
 
Taunggyi:
Taunggyi, more than 1430m above sea level, is the capital of Shan Plateau in western Burma. A hill known for its scenic beauty, Taunggyi is cool and pleasant throughout the year. The market every five days is crowded with ethnic minorities in their traditional dresses. The journey from Taunggyi to the Inle Lake area takes about an hour.
 
Pindaya:
Discover Pindaya, a quiet and picturesque town between Kalaw and Inle Lake. It has also become a well-known place where many tourists wish to come to visit the Pindaya caves in which thousands of century-old Buddha statues are sitting. The statues are of various sizes, some carved on the face of the rock and some deposited in the niches of the walls. The ancient caves are about a mile south-west of the city and can be accessed by horse-drawn cart, by jeep or just walking on foot. Since antiquity, it has been a place of worship with 8,094 Buddha statues, made of various materials such as teak, marble, alabaster, brick, cement and lacquer and all consecrated in corners and angles tortuous caverns. At the entrance to the main cave, the pagoda is 50 feet tall. This pagoda is called Shwe U - Min Paya or the Golden Cave Pagoda. The tazaung or prayer hall was built by the famous hermit U Khanti, who also built many of the religious buildings on Mandalay Hill. The entire length of the cave is 490 feet. Many stalactites and stalagmites in this limestone cave, spooky shapes and gave rise to names such as the "princess fairy Loom". Some of the smaller caves used as meditation rooms are only accessible if you crawl on your knees and elbows. The travellers should stay for one or two nights in Pindaya to explore the natural beauty all around, the tranquil lake, the limestone caves, the ancient pagodas and pictures and the beautiful old trees.
 
Kakku:
Kakku is a hidden treasure of 46 km south of Taunggyi with a magnificent collection of century Buddhist stupas. More than 2000 stupas were built here in a small area of ​​only one square kilometer, surrounded by mountains and trees. Until quite recently this area which is inhabited by colorful Pa-O tribes with their distinctive habits, has been closed to visitors. Kakku is a two-hour drive from Nyaung Shwe, via Shan State capital Taunggyi.