Visit Inle Lake Myanmar
Inle Lake is one of the top four traveler must-sees in Myanmar alongside the never-ending temple landscape of Bagan and the two main cities of Yangon and Mandalay. Whilst similar, yet grander in scale, to Cambodia’s famous Tonle Sap Lake, Inle has overshadowed my other experiences on Southeast Asian waterways.
Moreover Inle Lake is Myanmar’s second largest inland lake. It measures about 22 km long (North-South) and 11 km wide (East-West). An estimated 100,000 Inthas live on and around Inle Lake. The Inthas speak a dialect of Burmese language. The origin of Inthas is obscured. However, according to a popular Myanmar historical account, they were originally from Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) region from Southern tip of Myanmar. Around 800 years ago, they served in the army of Burmese Kings. On their military excursion, they arrived to Inle Lake region. Once they saw the Lake, it reminds them of their homeland. They asked permission from the King to stay around the lake. This was granted by the king, and thus, these soldiers stayed here and became Inthas.
Inthas have a unique way of living. Their way of life is well adapted to the environment of Inle Lake. They build their houses on the lake, live on the lake, and survive off the lake. They row boats using their foot when go out fishing, thus freeing their hands to hold fishing net. They develop extensive network of aquaculture – floating gardens. This enables them to grow what they need on Inle water.
Currently, Inle Lake is one of the popular tourist destinations in Myanmar. People from Inle Region are quite friendly and simple. Apart from the unique way of life of the Inthas, there are a number of interesting places in Inle. These include famous Phaungdawoo Pagoda, Khaung Dine Village, Indein, Maing Thauk, Nga Phe Chaung and Ywama.
Inle Sightseeing or What to see in Inle ?
Floating Garden—Walking on Water
Although there are floating gardens in other parts of Southeast Asia, no other place contains gardens as spectacular and picturesque as Inle Lake. The local people who live in the stilted villages surrounding the lake use charming floating gardens to grow vegetables and fruit for their traditional cuisine.
The biggest and most extensive gardens are located on the northwest portion of the lake where the lush greenery spreads out in rows far past the houses. Locals can be seen tending the flourishing gardens daily from their small wooden boats.
Some of the oldest gardens are even firm enough to walk on, because roots from the plants have spread down to the lake bottom and keep the gardens firm.
5-Day Market—A Mobile Bazaar
One of Inle Lake’s most popular and picturesque sights, this famous market includes everything from textiles to Buddha statues. The market rotates each day between 5 different villages in various locations bordering the lake, with all trade conducted from small traditional wooden boats. The best time to go is in the early morning, to avoid boat jams.
Local Shan and Intha people, as well as numerous Pa-O villagers and the long-necked Padaung, converge on the bustling water market to sell their wares. This colorful and animated gathering is the best place in the Inle Lake area for observing the many different and unique local cultures.
Phaung Daw U Pagoda—the Gilded Buddhas
This red-and-gold terraced pagoda is the most famous in the Inle Lake region. Absolutely breathtaking inside and out, the walls of the temple are decorated with the murals of Buddhist stories. At the center of the structure sits an ornate shrine with five small Buddha statues of great religious importance.
The statues at Phaung Daw U Pagoda are renowned Buddhist artifacts covered in gold-leaf applied daily by devotees as they come to worship. Every year an 18-day Pagoda Festival is held to celebrate the five images of Buddha. The festival involves the royal barge, as well as local boat races and other celebrations.
Nga Hpe Kyuang—Jumping Cats Monastery
The Nga Hpe Kyuang Monastery is known for its jumping cats, which in earlier years were trained by novice monks to leap through hoops between scripture recitals. Today, although the cats still live at the monastery, they have been retired from jumping. Currently, the best reason to visit the area is for the temple’s picturesque beauty.
The Nga Hpe Kyuang Monastery is one of the oldest and largest on the lake. Made of wood and built on stilts, it offers incredible views of the lake and surrounding areas. Inside the monastery, visitors get the chance to see young monks peacefully studying and golden statues sitting on thrones.
Indein Stupa Complex—Garden of Stupas
The Indein Stupa Complex is a sea of ornate spires rising out of the ground like a forest of stupas. Built into the hillside, the complex contains over 1,600 stupas, some of which are intricately carved and gilded.
Several of the pagodas have been restored, but others have cracks in their bases, creating the suspicion that the stupas are being reclaimed by the vibrant jungle.
There are two different groups of stupas at the complex. The first is located near where the boat lands and many of the pagodas here are decorated with images of mythical animals. The second group is located at the top of a hill, from which visitors can take in the striking scene of the whole Indein Stupa Complex and the surrounding area below.
Red Mountain Estate Vineyard—Relaxing Views
One of only two wineries in Myanmar, the Red Mountain Estate Vineyard produces nine different varieties of wine made from locally grown grapes. You can visit the Vineyard for inexpensive wine tastings and vineyard tours.
Perched on the lower slopes of the mountain, the winery is a perfect place for relaxing at sunset with a cheese platter, a glass of wine, and some good company. From the outdoor terrace, visitors can take in the panoramic view towards Nyang Shwe and down the valley towards Inle Lake itself.
Shwe Yaunghwe Kyuang—Window onto Buddhism
The most photographed monastery in the area, Shwe Yaunghwe Kyuang is built of intricately carved wood and is famous for its oval-shaped windows which create the perfect frame for pictures of young novice monks studying.
At around 11 o’clock every day, the monks gather to meditate, allowing visitors the opportunity to observe, or even to join in the meditation themselves.
On the inside of the temple, walls are lined with thousands of tiny alcoves each containing a small Buddha statue. These statues were donated by people from many different countries, as far away as France, the U.S.A., and Australia. Along with colorful walls and painted tile floors, they create a vivid and beautiful scene.
Travelling to Inle Lake is also quite easy, with all domestic airlines running several flights to nearby Heho every day. Highway express buses from Yangon and Mandalay also run several buses to Taungyi and Nyaungshwe near Inle. Accommodation in Inle Lake tends to be quite expensive but both budget and high end accommodation can be easily found in Nyaung Shwe and Taunggyi. There are also a number of interesting places near Inle such as Taunggyi, Kakku, Sakar, Aungban and Kalaw.
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