There must be few places indeed that can beat Inle in providing rest and recreation to travel-weary tourists. Life is leisurely there and time doesn’t fly, but crawls! Speed boating across a vast, clear and calm expanse of water among blue mountain ranges itself is a thrilling experience rarely encountered in humdrum city life. The Inle region teems with exotic sights and experiences.
Eastern Myanmar is the country’s most generous cross roads of the cultural and the adventurous. Unlike elsewhere in Myanmar, taking part in activities such as caving, trekking, hiking and boating involves little or no red tape.
Inle is a vast lake located in the heart of Shan State which shares borders with Thai & Laos. And it climbs up to over 900 meters above sea level. Inle Lake, the 70 miles of tranquil, clear waters on the Shan Plateau, has often been described as ‘outrageously picturesque’. UNESCO recognized it as Bio-sphere reserved of the world in Paris in 2015 to preserve the natural and cultural diversity of the lake areas. The weather is always cool and pleasant. If you travel across the lakes’s clear waters on a fast boat fitted with outbound motors, you can enjoy the scenery of the surrounding forest-clad hills, the lake. Inle people are unique because they row their long boat with their legs while standing upright, with the paddle hooked on one foot and they cultivate fruits and vegetables in the wetland on the water. It is a highland lake of peace and tranquility. In additional, it is the place where one can study the cultures of many ethnic groups of Myanmar including Intha, Danu, Shan and PaO. A pleasant boat ride in the lake can refresh visitors.
One special attraction of the region for Buddhists is the Phaung-Daw Oo Pagoda where five ancient images of the Buddha reside. The Inthars revere the images so much that they have gilded them over and over until they now appear to be balls of gold! The lake is especially crowed with visitors when the festival of the Pagoda is held in October featuring spectacular boat races. Handicrafts of the residents including silk, silverware and jewellery are also interesting. All visitors to the region are also fascinated by its famous hand-loom industry and its beautiful products. Another unique sight is that of floating islands made up of compost and silt. The enterprising lake-dwellers called Inthars use them as beds for vegetables and flowers. So you can experience unforgettable memories in your life time, visiting the lake in Myanmar also known as Burma.
From Inle Lake you can travel to other parts of the Shan State; Taunggyi the principal town, the town of Kyaing Ton (Keng Tung) over 700 years old and right up to the Golden Triangle region.
