Table of Contents
Introduction to Inle Lake
Nestled in the mountains of eastern Myanmar lies one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular sights – the enchanting Inle Lake. This vast freshwater lake stretches over 45 square miles and provides a glimpse into a fascinating floating world unlike anywhere else on earth.
Inle Lake dazzles visitors with its picturesque beauty and unique cultural traditions that have endured for centuries. Home to the Intha people, this watery wonderland features stilted villages, floating gardens, fascinating leg-rowing fishermen, and tranquil scenes of daily life on the lake. It provides a serene sanctuary away from the bustle of Myanmar’s major cities.
From cruising across the lake in a long wooden boat to exploring ancient pagodas rising out of the water, Inle Lake offers an unforgettable travel experience for those looking to immerse themselves in one of Myanmar’s most prized natural and cultural treasures.
Location and Geography
Inle Lake sits high up on Myanmar’s Shan Plateau, around 900 meters above sea level. It is located in Shan State, towards the eastern part of the country close to the Thai border. The lake was formed in a valley of the Shan Hills, surrounded by rolling mountains covered in lush green forests.
Several villages, farms, and stilted houses sprawl across the lake on the shallow shores. Deeper sections reach around 2.5 meters, with weeds and marshland thriving further out into the main body of water. The lake is fed by streams and rivers descending from the mountains, ensuring a regular flow of fresh mineral-rich water.
The unique high-altitude setting, ringed by hills and mountains, gives Inle Lake a scenic natural feel. Combined with the stilted dwellings and floating gardens, it makes for an incredibly photogenic landscape that captures Myanmar’s natural charm.
History and People
Inle Lake has been inhabited since the 9th century, originally settled by the Intha people whose name translates to “sons of the lake.” The Intha arrived via the north of Myanmar and chose the lake for the fertile land and fishing opportunities. They built simple houses on stilts and began fishing the waters and growing produce in floating gardens.
The Intha developed their unique leg-rowing technique to navigate through the lake’s reedy shallows. They learned to adjust their leg positions and full body weight to steer their long, narrow boats. Their signature leg rowing continues to be practiced today.
Various Shan, Taungyo, Taungthu, Danu and Kayah tribes also reside in Inle Lake’s shoreline villages. They live together peacefully having built a sustainable way of life reliant on the lake. Work revolves around fishing, boat making, textiles and crafts.
Floating Gardens and Villages
One of Inle Lake’s most iconic sights is its ingenious floating gardens, known as kyun-paw. These square plots of soil sit atop floating mats of water hyacinth and reeds anchored by bamboo poles.
The Intha grow fruits, vegetables and flowers on the floating gardens to avoid competing for the fertile lakefront land. Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, gourds and melons are common crops grown using organic composted fertilizers.
Connected by canals and wooden bridges are entire stilted villages built over the lake. Most houses stand on wooden stilts 3-5 meters high to rise above the water. Some also have floating poultry coops and moored boats underneath.
Ywama is the largest and most famous floating village, featuring a maze of stilted homes, shops, restaurants, workshops, markets and even schools and libraries. Wooden bridges link the buildings together so people can visit each other and buy goods without boats.
Local Crafts and Traditions
The Intha people have preserved various traditional crafts and ways of life that embody the local culture of Inle Lake.
Lotus Weaving
A famous handicraft is the weaving of lotus silk, using the stems of the lotus plant that grows abundantly in the lake. The stems are cleaned and turned into delicate yarns to make robes, scarves and garments.
Women sit in wooden houses built on stilts over the lake, using looms to turn lotus fibers into shimmering fabrics in vibrant pinks, purples and golds. The labor-intensive process produces a uniquely beautiful handmade textile.
Boat Making
Another key craft is building the wooden boats driven by Inle Lake’s iconic leg rowers. Skilled craftsmen carefully construct the long, canoe-like boats from wood planks held together by rivets. No nails or screws are used.
The boats feature a wrapped prow to cut through reeds and a flat bottom to glide across shallow lake beds. Their length and stability make them ideal for standing on one leg to row.
Fishing
Fishing remains crucial to daily life, with an array of traps and nets used to catch fish. Cone-shaped traps are submerged and funnel fish into an opening when pulled. Large nets are cast and hauled in by hand from boats.
Fish like carp and eel are caught for local consumption and sale at markets. Fishing happens mostly in the shallows rather than deep water. Fishermen regularly cross and stand on their boats with excellent balance.
Cooking
Local cuisine makes the most of the lake’s fresh fish and vegetables grown on floating gardens. Must-try dishes include fish curry cooked with tomatoes and onions, Ohn no khaw sw?? rice and served with fried lake fish, and spam fried with fermented soybeans and chili.
Cooking classes are offered in villages like Indein and Nampan. Visitors can learn about ingredients like Shan tofu and prepare authentic Intha food themselves under instruction from villagers. It provides insight into daily meals.
Unique Sights
While cruising across Inle Lake, keep an eye out for these unique sights and scenes that make it so extraordinary.
Leg Rowers
The iconic Intha leg rowers propel their boats standing up and wrapping one leg around a single oar to row in a circular motion. Their unique stance allows them to see above plants and steer across shallow waters.
It takes excellent balance and coordination to perform this graceful rowing technique passed down generations. Rowers learn young to master the special skill used for fishing and transport.
Floating Markets
At various points on the lake, floating produce markets convene to allow Intha from different villages to buy and sell goods. Vendors pile into boats heaving with fruit, vegetables, fish and handicrafts.
The itinerant market locations rotate between 5 different sites around the lake through the week. Ywama, Nampan, Kyone and Khaung Daing markets run daily while Indein market opens every 5 days.
Pagodas
Rising out of the water across Inle Lake are ancient pagodas and crumbling stupas covered in moss and greenery. These iconic religious monuments were built to honor Buddha and offer places for meditation.
Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda houses 5 sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf by devotees. Nga Phe Kyaung is a wooden monastery complex standing on stilts over the lake and featuring teak carvings and Buddha statues.
Activities and Experiences
Inle Lake offers abundant adventures and ways to experience authentic local culture. Some top activities for your itinerary include:
Boat Tours
Hop aboard a long wooden motorboat to explore Inle Lake’s famous sights at a relaxed place. Knowledgeable local boat drivers act as guides to navigate through scenic channels to stilted villages, floating gardens, markets, and pagodas.
Hiking
Follow trails through the surrounding hills and forests to immerse yourself in the natural scenery. Short treks go to hilltop viewpoints while multi-day hikes reach rural tribal villages like Hti, Pa-O and Danu communities.
Biking
Bicycle through villages and farms around the lake to witness local ways of life. Bikes can be rented to ride along dirt tracks and roads encircling Inle. Some tours combine cycling with boat trips for multi-activity adventures.
Local Festivals
Time your visit to coincide with cultural festivals like boat races and pagoda festivals. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival has boat processions and traditional Shan dance and music. Boat races happen in October with leg-rowing teams competing.
Accommodation and Dining
A variety of accommodation options allow soaking in Inle Lake’s magical atmosphere. Stay in stilted lake cottages, floating bungalows, or hotels on dry land with views.
Dining choices range from local eateries to fine waterfront restaurants at luxury resorts. Intha cuisine is on offer along with Shan, Burmese, and western food. Try cheese tofu, fried catfish, and local moonshine.
Cafes in Nyaungshwe town have espresso coffee, crepes, and cakes. Budget digs with USD 15 beds sit alongside upscale USD 150 a night resorts with pools and spas.
Best Time To Visit
The cool, dry season from October to February offers the best weather for Inle Lake. Average temperatures range a pleasant 20-25 degrees Celsius during this peak period with low humidity.
March to May sees rising heat and occasional rainfall. June to September brings monsoon downpours making the lake swell and boat transport difficult. Try to time a trip between October and February for ideal conditions.
Getting There
Most visitors access Inle Lake through Heho Airport, served by flights from Yangon and Mandalay. Airport shuttles make the one hour trip east to Nyaungshwe town beside the lake. Buses also connect Yangon and Mandalay over 8-12 hour journeys.
Boats from Nyaungshwe provide onward transport across the lake to stilted villages like Ywama. Nyaungshwe’s hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies make it the main base for exploring the area.
Conservation Efforts
While opening up for tourism, Inle Lake faces environmental pressures requiring conservation efforts. Initiatives aim to preserve the ecology and biodiverse wildlife while supporting local communities.
Invasive floating plant species threaten to choke the open waters. Clearing programs remove damaging weeds to allow free flow and fishing access. Dredging maintains depth and reduces sedimentation too.
Waste management, sewage treatment, hydropower impacts, and motorboat pollution are other issues needing management. Organic farming and sustainably caught fish help protect the lake and its residents.
Impact of Tourism
Inle Lake’s soaring popularity has brought tourist dollars but also growing pains. Millions of annual visitors provide income but strain the environment.
While boosting the local economy, more hotels and tours place pressure on water supplies. Boat traffic disturbs wildlife habitats and cuts into fishing areas. Tourist demand for traditional crafts risks over-commercializing cultural practices.
Careful management, eco-friendly policies, and respect for traditions are required to ensure Inle Lake retains its magic for future generations. Visitors who travel thoughtfully can play a key role in protecting this enchanting destination.
Conclusion
Enthralling visitors for centuries, Myanmar’s Inle Lake remains a breathtaking spot blending natural beauty and cultural riches. From leg rowers and floating gardens to stilted villages and ancient pagodas, this highland lake invites exploration of its magical watery world. Respectful travel helps conserve Inle’s ecology and traditions. The Intha’s unique way of life, in harmony with their lake home, endures as a testament to human creativity and resilience.
FAQs
1. Where is Inle Lake located?
Inle Lake is located in eastern Myanmar’s Shan State, towards the Thai border. It sits high in a valley between the Shan Hills around 900 meters above sea level.
2. How do you get around Inle Lake?
Boats are the main form of transport to explore Inle Lake. Local wooden motorboats can be hired for tours to visit villages, markets, temples, and farms on and around the lake.
3. What is unique about Inle Lake’s leg rowers