Inle Lake

Inle is a freshwater lake in Myanmar. The lake is about 22 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide. Inle Lake is surrounded by high mountains and has 17 villages on its shores. Artificial floating plantations made of hyacinth roots and algae furrow the surface of the lake, on which peasants make beds and grow tomatoes. Water buffaloes swim in the large pools of the lake – huge, but quite harmless. The lake and its surrounding areas are one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar.

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Jumping Cat Monastery and Floating Market

Built on stilts in the middle of the lake is the Jumping Cat Monastery, where only six monks live today – and they actually tame and train cats. Every five days the natives organize a floating market on the lake, gathering on boats in one pile. You can buy almost everything there: souvenirs, papyrus, fruit, marine life, mats embroidered with gold and silver threads, lacquer boxes made of horsehair (from 5 USD), products with teak carvings (around 15 USD).

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Nyaung Shwe

Near the lake, tucked between two mountain ranges is the town of Nyaung Shwe, the starting point of the lake trip for all tourists. Virtually all built of wood, the low-slung town is imbued with a Wild West atmosphere. The wooden temple in Nyaung Shwe, built of teak wood, is the oldest temple in Myanmar. You can stay at Paradise Hotel, where a bungalow will cost 40 USD per night stay. Here you can rent a boat and start exploring the lake. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the hike up the mountain. A four-hour climb up the mountain, a side trip to the openwork villages of the White Pa-O tribe, lunch at the monastery on the highest point of the area, a walk through the bamboo forest and back down to the lake, from where an obliging motorboat takes you back to town – a day full of impressions and self-satisfaction is assured.

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Maitau Village

Maitau Village is built on water, canals instead of streets and avenues, pretty houses stand on stilts. The traditional life of Burmese people can be seen here in every detail. On the mountain you can find a small forest monastery with an excellent observation deck, and on the bridge leading to the village, in the evenings crowded local women in colorful clothes, meeting tired husbands from fishing. There is a small cafe for tourists, the souvenir store is constantly replenished with products made by the hands of locals.

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Indain Village

In the village of Indein, Indein Monastery is protected by a winding canal because the oldest stupa is more than two thousand years old and is of great historical value to the Burmese. To get here, you have to take a boat up one of the canals at the western end of the lake.

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Iwama Village

The village of Iwama turns into the busiest place on the lake every five days: there is a hectic boat trade. There is even a danger of getting stuck in a water “traffic jam”. But it’s better to buy souvenirs on the shore, where the assortment is larger and prices are more willingly discounted.

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Phaung Daw Oo Temple

Phaung Daw Oo Temple, whose shrine is home to five small Buddha figurines, is swathed in golden petals tourists and pilgrims beyond recognition. Peace and quiet are the main attractions of this area.

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When to go

The best time to visit Inle Lake is September-October, when the lake is filled with glowing brightly-lit boats for three weeks on the occasion of the sacred Paungdaw U festival.

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How to get there

From Bagan, Inle Lake can be reached by bus. You can rent a minibus for $65. You can also take a bus from Yangon to Townji, passing through Bago. The cost is about 20,000 chats.

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