Inle

Inle Lake is 22 km long, 11 km wide, 1328 meters above sea level and outrageously picturesque. It has dead calm waters dotted with patches of floating vegetations and busy fishing canoes. High hills rim the lake on both sides; the lakeshore and lake islands bear 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Culturally and linguistically separate from their Shan neighbours, the Inthas are thought to have migrated to this area from Tavoy on the Taninthayi peninsula in southern Myanmar. Like the Shan, Mon and Bamars, the Intha are Buddhist; there are around 100 Buddhist monasteries around the lake and perhaps a thousand stupas.

Tha hard-working Intha are famous for propelling their flat-bottomed boats by standing at the stern on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar. This strange leg-rowing technique offers relief to the arms which are also used for rowing- during the long paddles from one end of the lake to another. It also enables the rower to better see floating water hyacinth- its sometimes necessary to stand up to spot fish. The entire lake area is contained in the township of Nyaung Shwe and supports a population of 126,000 that consists of Intha, Shan, Taungyo, Pa-O, Danu, Kayah, Danaw and Burman people. The township seat of the same name sits north of the lake and is approached by road from Shwe Nyaung or from the lake to the south via a long, narrow channel. Around 70,000 people live on the shores and islands of the lake.

The industrious villagers inhabiting the lake region support themselves by growing a wide variety of flowers, vegetables and fruits all year round, including tomatoes, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, onions, betel vine, melon, papaya and banana. Using cone-shaped nets stretched tautly over wood and bamboo frames, Intha fishermen harvest nga-pein (a type of carp) and other kinds of freshwater fish. Women in the villages weave Shan-style shoulder bags and silk on wooden handlooms.

One of the best times of the year to be here is during September and October. During January and February, the nights and mornings around the lake area are cold, so visitors should bring socks and sweaters, and a warm sleeping bag would also be handy.

Places of Interest in The Lake Area

NGA PHE KYAUNG MONASTERY

A beautiful old teak building completely surrounded by water and floating gardens. It is better known as the “ Jumping Cat Monastery ” as the resident monks are more than happy to coax one of the numerous trained cats to leap through a small hoop whenever a curious visitor arrives. Jumping cats are only one of the attractions. In the dim recesses of the monastery, dozens of gleaming gold Buddhas of Shan, Tibetan, Bagan and Innwa styles sit in sublime meditation. The repetitive low chants of a Buddhist devotee lying prostrate on the floor, gave a dreamy quality to an extremely peaceful place.

KAUNGDINE

This Intha village on the north-western shore of the lake is known for the production of soybean cakes and noodles. Potting and weaving can also be seen. Just outside the village are some interesting Shan temple ruins featuring brick and stucco temples and pagodas. A little north of Kaungdine is a hot springs spa which is open 8 am to 5 pm daily. You can bathe in unisex communal baths. The water is very hot but the overall cleanliness could see some improvement.

PAUNG DAW OO PAGODA

The biggest event in the southern area of Shan state takes place at Paung Daw Oo , one of the state’s holiest sites, from the first day of the waxing moon to the third day after the full moon of Thadingyut (September/October). The focus of the large two storey sanctuary is five gold leaf covered statues, of which three are said to be Buddha images, while the remaining two are reportedly Arahats of historical disciples of the Buddha.

The statues were reportedly fashioned during the reign of King Alaungsithu (1112-67). During the 20 days of the festivals, a ceremonial barge carries four of the five Paung Daw Oo images from village to village around the lake to bless the village monasteries. Hundreds of other vessels travel in the entourage in a general celebratory atmosphere. Thousands of people from around the Shan State attend this most holy of Shan celebrations.