Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Win Nyunt Off Myawady Rd. Far cheaper than Aqua Lilies , this offers traditional massage
from K7000/hr in a ramshackle building just south of the museum.
< Back to Inle Lake and the east
Inle Lake
A placid expanse with forested mountains rising to its east and west, majestic INLE LAKE
is one of Myanmar's undoubted must-sees. Its appeal extends beyond this considerable nat-
uralbeauty,fordottingthelakeanditsimmediate peripheryarenumerousstiltvillagesofthe
Intha - “sons of the lake”, and descendants of Mon people from the far southeast (though
now categorized as a subgroup of the Shan). You are also likely to see fishermen using tradi-
tional conical nets, propelling their boats using a distinctive leg-rowing technique, and other
Intha residents of the lake tending to fruit and vegetables on floating gardens.
The lake is, sadly, suffering from ever-increasing pollution - it's hard to imagine that just
onegenerationago,itswaterswerecleanenoughtodrink.Thesedays,agreaterproportionof
the vessels that work the lake are motorized; locals are producing more litter; and chemicals
from the “floating” tomato farms (and locals washing their clothes) are seriously impairing
the quality of the water, and the size of the fish stock.
While the lake is very firmly on the beaten path, its size is such that you only really notice
just how many other foreigners are around when your boat pulls up at one of the stops. Even
now,its markets areaimedmoreatvillagers ofthevariousethnicgroupsthatliveinthearea
- among them Shan, Pa-O, Kayah and Danu - than they are at tourists. Most visit these as
partofa boattrip , whileothersightshereaboutsincludethebeautiful PhaungDawOoPaya
and Ngaphe Kyaung , the former “jumping cat” monastery, and the lovely hot springs near
Kaung Daing. Note that the sights have been listed here in an order heading vaguely clock-
wise around the lake; this is the route that most boatmen take.
IncommonwiththerestofMyanmar,visitornumbersarehighestfromDecembertoFebru-
ary.OneothergoodtimetobearoundisduringtheThadingyutFestivalofLightsinOctober;
since locals like to decorate their houses with lanterns and candles, taking a night-time boat
ride through the stilt villages is particularly pleasing.
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search