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JapanIMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dress Code:
There is no dress code for roaming around the lake. Wear comfortable footwear such as sandals and slippers. However, you will have to take your shoes off while visiting pagodas.
Entrance Fee:
USD 3.
Pro tip:
It can get quite sunny and hence do carry sunblock.
HOW TO GET THERE
The easiest way to reach Inle Lake is to take a domestic flight. The closest airport is Heho which is about an hour’s drive from the lake. You can take a taxi from the airport. The journey will cost K 30,000.
HISTORY
Inle Lake is always on tourists’ list of must-visit places. This elevated lake is 900m above sea level, 22km long and 10 km wide. Visitors are usually amazed by how majestic this lake looks like when they see it in real life. Several tribes live by the lake, allowing you to witness how they go about their lives traditionally. There are floating gardens where locals plant their crops and villagers still sell their produce on boats.
The Phung Daw Oo Pagoda is situated at the lake and it is most crowded during the annual festival. Villagers celebrate the festival by parading Buddha figurines around the village. You will also witness the amazing one-legged rowing method that can only be seen in this part of Myanmar. Truly speaking Inle Lake offers the best experience of the ethnicity and culture of Myanmar.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
November to February is the best time to visit Inle Lake. The weather is warm and dry. The Phaung Daw Oo festival is held from September to October, so you can go during that time too.
PHOTO GALLERY
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Inle Lake
Fascinating Facts
- There are 17 villages on the shore and islands on Inle Lake. Each village has its own culture and traditions which are unique in its own way.
- People live in houses made on stilts. In fact, spending a night or two at stilt houses are the main tourist attraction of Inle Lake.
- Inle Lake offers one of its kind shopping experience. Each village has its own floating market where traders wander and sell their products.
Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar and is located at the heart of the country. The lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides offering a breathtaking natural view. The area is rich in animals and plant species and you can see some of the rarest species here. The lake is home to several ethnic tribes of Myanmar who follow well-preserved traditions and cultures.
Inle Lake is one of the must-visit places in Myanmar. A visit will provide you with an opportunity to interact with locals and learn some of their traditional ways of planting, fishing, cooking and making handicrafts. The villagers are warm and friendly who are keen to to open up to tourists. You will feel their warmth when you interact with them. Explore Inle and discover nature as you have never seen before. WHAT’S SPECIAL?
Inle Lake provides the perfect balance of rural Myanmarese lifestyle as well as mesmerising natural beauty. There are 17 villages at this lake where the villagers belong to different ethnic groups such as the Intha who are called the people of Inle Lake, Shan, Taungyo, Pa-Oo, Danu, Kayah, Danaw and Bamar. People in this area are mostly Buddhists and are highly self-sufficient. The main source of livelihood is farming and fishing. The villagers are famous for a one-legged boat rowing technique that can only be seen at Inle Lake. The lake itself contains a variety of endemic species thus becoming one of the most naturally rich area in Myanmar.
HOW TO GET THERE
- Inle does not have an international airport. However, it can be reached easily from the nearest international airport located in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon. The flight from Yangon to Inle takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and it takes only 30 minutes to fly from Mandalay to Inle.
- Inle Lake is well-connected by bus with the rest of the country. You can take a bus from Yangon (12 hours), Mandalay (9 hours) and Bagan (9hours). An average taxi ride from Mandalay to Inle takes around 6 to 7 hours.
- Train services are available from Yangon to Inle Lake. However, it requires an advanced booking of 5 days. The train departs at 11am.
Top Attractions
Inle Lake is flourished with the riches of nature. From exotic animal species and rare migratory birds to lush trees that adorn the landscape, the lake provides you with one of the best travel experiences. You can observe animals in the wild at the Inle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, view protected species, ride on the one-leg rowed boats and do a range of activities which will make your trip memorable and worthwhile.
You can also interact with the friendly villagers when you visit them at the unique stilt houses of Inle lake. The locals are warm and will be happy to guide you in learning the art of crafting silver and metal products. The knowledge has been passed over generations. There is a weekday market which offers the best local goods that you can browse through and purchase.
Things To Do
VISIT AN EXOTIC WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The Inle Wildlife Sanctuary is located around Inle Lake which is home to hundreds of flora and fauna that are well-protected and taken care of. You can observe wild animals and rare birds along with the lush greenery of this wildlife sanctuary. The clean and fresh air of the area is an added bonus.
EXPLORE THE UNIQUE STILT HOUSES
Inle Lake has unique houses called Stilt Houses which are elevated above the lake water by using sturdy stilts to support them. This is the only place in the world where you will find these kinds of houses. You can visit them and interact with the locals. The locals are very warm and would love to have you with them.
VISIT AUTHENTIC MYANMARESE VILLAGES
There are 17 villages surrounding Inle Lake which are inhabited by ethnic groups who preserve their culture and traditions. You can interact with the people from these ethnic races and understand how they live their life. They will be happy to explain their cultures and traditions to you.
Is trying the local food an essential part of any of your trips? Well it should be in Mandalay! The city has an amazing array of street food vendors and local restaurants here. Sit at a local restaurant, drink some tea and observe the local people. Don’t miss the tea leaf salad and chicken with coconut gravy while you dine.
Video
Inle Itineraries
DAY 1: EXPLORE INLE LAKE
DAY 2: VISIT THE PAGODAS & EXPLORE WILDLIFE
DAY 3: VISIT KAKKU PAGODAS AND A WINERY
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DAY 2: VISIT THE PAGODAS & EXPLORE WILDLIFE
DAY 3: VISIT KAKKU PAGODAS AND A WINERY
Read More …
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