Top Things To Do In Inle Lake
Inle Lake is a great spot for anyone who wants to get closer to Mother Nature. The vast lake surrounded by endless rolling hills is home for thousands of residents who build their houses and garden on the lake with traditional and clever designs. Taking a leisurely boat through the surface and seeing the locals rowing the boat will leave you fascinated.
Embark on a boat trip
Board on a private boat is the best way to discover one of Myanmar’s most spectacular and breathtaking sights. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic hills provide the perfect backdrop.
Explore the Lake’s morning market
The lake’s morning market is open every day apart from dark moon and full moon calendar days.
Visit traditional workshops
There are many traditional crafts originating on Inle Lake. Visit a workshop making incredible woven items from lotus silk, boat builders (depending on the time of year), a cigar making workshop, blacksmiths or even silver smiths.
Meet the local people
Along the way pass several villages built on stilts over the lake, which are inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the daily activities of the local leg-rowing fishermen and see their ‘floating gardens’, built up from strips of water hyacinth, earth and anchored to the bottom of the lake with bamboo poles.
Discover typical villages
Visit a floating village at Ywama, the lake’s downtown, where a floating market is held every five days.
The Pa-Oh village of Indein is positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending the moss-covered stairway to the top of a hill.
Visit Indein Pagoda complex
The Indein Pagoda complex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small stupas which are overrun by moss and greenery.
Visit Nga Phe Chaung Monastery
Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery features houses loads of early Shan Buddha Images. In the past, this temple was known for its ‘jumping cats’ but these days there are only a few felines roaming around and none are jumping any more. Yet the Buddha images are still worth the visit.
Discover Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Proceed to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf.