Inle Lake

Inle Lake the second largest natural lake in Myanmar. The lake is formed between parallel mountain of Shan State, 1328 metres above sea level. The lake measures 22 km long and about 10 km wide. Inle Lake is famed for its scenic beauty and the unique Leg-rowing of the Inthas, Floating Villages and garden, traditional handicrafts and silk weaving, Colourful market and Phaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda. The annual Phaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda festival is held in September (or) early October.

The most convenient way is to fly from Yangon to Heho, which is the nearest airport to the lake. There are daily flights to Heho which take about one hour. The flight from Mandalay to Heho takes only 20 minutes. Travelling by car along the uphill and winding road over the Shan Plateau, though taking some few hours, is interesting and well-worth taking. There is also a regular train service via Thazi junction to Heho and Shwenyaung, the nearest station to the Lake.

Inle & Environs

Taunggyi

Taunggyi is the capital of Shan State, over 4,000 feet above sea level. It is a hill station, cool and pleasant all the year round. Taunggyi can be reached by road, rail and air from Yangon. The market, on every fifth day, is crowed with ethnic minorities in their traditional dresses. The journey from Taunggyi down to Inle area takes about an hour by road.

 

Kalaw

Situated 70 km west of Taunggyi, 1400 metres above sea level. Kalaw is a former popular British hill stations on the western edge of the Shan Plateau, Surrounded by pine trees and forests. It is a peaceful and quiet place with an atmosphere reminiscent of the colonial era. There are several interesting hill tribe villages in the area inhabited the Palaung, Pa-O, Thaungthu, Taungyo and Danu tribes.
 

Pindaya Cave

About 45 km drive from Kalaw is Pindaya, noted for its extensive limestone caves in which thousands of centuries-old Buddha images are seated. Most of its houses are built on the hill side. The road from Aungban to Pindaya passes through Pa-O, Danu Villages and countryside of magnificent scenic beauty. Local handicrafts include Shan Paper and Monk Umbrella makers.

 

Kakku

Kakku is a 1 ½ hour drive from Taunggyi, a unique temple complex of more than 2000 stupa has lied hidden in the Pa-O heartland of Southern Shan State for centuries.