Inle Lake

Scene of Leg Rowers on Inle Lake
surrounded by Shan mountains at 4000 ft. above sea level

Inle Lake stretches 11 miles (18 km) in Nyaung Shwe basin of southern Shan state at an altitude of nearly 3000 feet (1000 meters) above sea level. The lake, ringed with mountain ranges is a haven for waterfowl and other birds, some of which are endangered species. The lake is the home to the Intha tribal race, many of whom live in stilted houses built over the water, which is only 20 feet (6 meters) at the deepest. The Intha grow vegetables on the floating beds of stilt which are staked to the lake bottom with bamboo poles. The beds can be detached and moved as necessary.

Floating Intha Village

Pao People at 5-day-market

A busy on the Inle lake

The Inle lake area is stunning, and to appreciate it properly a good two to three days is needed. There are visits to many of the handicrafts produced on the lake, including silk weaving, silversmiths and paper. There is a five-day-rotating market that moves around the villages and towns of Shan state near Inle Lake, where tribal people in their costume come from the nearby villages to sell their indigenous agricultural products.

Hyroponic Culture on Inle Lake

Padaun Girl

Lakeside Pagoda

Nyaung Shwe is the main town on the lake, which is an hour's drive away from Heho airport. Accommodation is available in the town or on the lake.

Indein: On the western bank of the lake a cluster of over five hundred shrines reached by a boat along a small river. The ruined 17th century pagodas include beautifully carved mythical and celestial beings of stones. This half day excursion to Indein consists of some walks in Indein village and the pagoda complex.

PaO Girls at Indein

Local transportation

Plaster Curving on pagodas in Kakku

Kakku: Hidden for centuries in the wooden hills near Taunggyi, Kakku has pagodas that seem to be from the 16th century. This is the main shrine of the region’s Pa O people, legends say there are 7622 pagodas, almost all decorated with floral designs of figures of celestial beings or bird-men.