Known as the heart of Shan State, Inle Lake is about 39 km away from the capital city of Shan State. The massive highland lake is located 900 m above sea level and is 22 km long. Mountain ranges that surround the area is reflected on the lake’s surface, offering an impressive view. The natural lake is untouched and clean. Its shores and islands are mostly populated by villagers called the Intha people who are famous for their unique leg-rowing method. Visitors can tour the lake by getting on motorboats or experience the one-legged rowing method of the locals by taking a tour in their canoes. The area of the lake is big enough to house a wildlife sanctuary as well as several pagodas, markets, and gardens. Tourists can enjoy visiting landmarks and villages around the impressive lake.
Villagers of Inle are mostly Intha people, followed by other small ethnic groups like Shan, Taungyo, Pa-O, Danu, Kayah, Danaw and Bamar. The people of Inle practise Buddhism and they mostly speak Myanmar.
Inle Lake has a monsoonal climate. The size of the lake is 116 km2
Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar and is home to some of the rarest species of snails and fish. As of 2018, the lake is listed under the protection of the Ramsar Convention, a convention of wetlands.
Sakar is a quaint and humble village isolated from other villages in Inle with a small population of only 1,300 people. The village, established in 1479 is chosen as the base for the government’s Community-based Tourism project which involves meaningful and educational interaction between locals and tourists. A ruined royal capital can also be found at Sakar, located at the southern side of Inle Lake.
The pagoda that was built on stilts is known as one of the oldest religious sites on Inle Lake. There are four different Buddhas in the shrine and the pagoda is only one out of thousands of pagodas built by King Thiri Dhamma Thawka. It was rebuilt by King Alaungsithu. The King added jewellery, pearls, ivories, gold, and silver, in which all are still intact today.
Tourists can find a white-washed stupa in Indein village, where a Buddha image is placed on. There is a cluster of ancient stupas around the hill, below the white stupa, making the area a unique religious site to visit. Tourists will have to travel 5 kilometres on boat from Ywama in order to reach the village.
Five small images of Buddha can be found in the pagoda. These Buddha images are covered in so many gold leaves that their original state is unrecognisable. However, there are old images of how the original Buddhas look like decorated on the monastery walls. The monastery is open to all locals and tourists, but only men are allowed to apply gold leaf on the images.
The floating garden in Inle Lake is a sight to see. Besides fishing, the Inthas are great farmers who plant vegetables on floating islands in the lake. The unique part of the garden is that along with the produce, locals also sell the entire garden as if it is a piece of land. Tourists will be intrigued to see how the locals farm in the lake.
The floating market here is unlike the usual floating markets in the river as this is situated on a lake. Vendors would row their boats along the lake and sell or trade vegetables and rice that they have planted and harvested. Some fishermen would even sell fish that they have freshly caught from the lake. Tourists can also browse and purchase handmade souvenirs from locals.
The wildlife sanctuary was founded in 1995. Many species of plants and animals are protected here, giving visitors tons of opportunities to discover unique flora and fauna that are only found in Inle. Due to its role in protecting rare species, Inle lake is chosen to be Myanmar’s first site to be listed under the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The museum was initially called the ‘Haw’ mansion and it was the residential area of Nyaung Shwe Sawbwa, one of the rulers of Shan State. Tourists can find ancient sculptures and majestic architectures on the building’s interior. As it is now converted into a museum, visitors can also find the ancient belongings of all the Saw-Bwas, like thrones, divans, attires, and images.
The Phaungdawoo Pagoda was built when the area was deemed as sacred after King Alaungsithu stopped by Inle Lake. Processions and boat races will be held at Inle Lake based on the dates in the Lunar Calendar. The huge pagoda used to house five Buddha images, but only four remained after a storm made them fall into the lake.
In this three-day light festival, locals would turn on lights and light up candles that symbolise the stairways that were built for Lord Buddha during his descent to the mortal world after preaching his mother who was in heaven. This meaningful celebration attracts tourists from all over the world to visit Myanmar to witness the beautiful light displays.
Thingyan is a water festival in which locals would usher the new year. Celebrated annually in April, locals would splash water on each other in means of washing away bad happenings of the pass year. They would welcome the new year by having a gathering with family and friends to exchange good wishes.
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